Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

This book doesn't disappoint. It is adventurous, fun, romantic, and thought provoking. Enna is Isi's (Anni's) friend. Enna's brother finds a piece of vellum and learns how to use fire. He seems to change because of it and not in a good way.

Meanwhile, Isi is having a problem with the wind. It is very loud and her husband finds her a place that doesn't have as much wind that is low in the castle.

War is on the horizon with a country that wants to take back their land from many generations ago.

I enjoyed the twists and turns of this book. It is a delight. I had a hard time putting this book down. It is wonderful!

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

I am officially a Shannon Hale fan. This book was wonderful and I want more. Fortunately, there are more books about this same place called, "The Books of Bayern." I will be reading them.

I was hooked on his book by page 2. I recounted what had happened so far from page 2 to my husband. When I said it aloud I realized that everything was intriguing and so much happens even by page 2. I relished every word and couldn't put the book down.

Ani is born with her eyes closed. She doesn't open them until her Aunt comes and tells her stories in the middle of the night. She is close to her aunt and her Aunt teaches her many things and stories that come in handy later on in the story. I don't want to say too much because there's much to be discovered on your own.

I highly recommend this book and would love to read it again--if I didn't have more of her books to try.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Okay, if I were to only read inside the cover I would have never read this book. She talks of private parts right off. I think this inside cover is to attract those who may be a reluctant reader. The book doesn't have a lot more parts like that, but there is a naked scene, that made me uncomfortable. But, that was a reality to be aware of.

That being said, I loved this book. It deserves the Newbery Honor Award. It is intriguing to learn about Alcatraz and Al Capone, the prisoner. I enjoyed the author's notes at the end. Whether I realized it or not, I learned things about this famous prison.

I was also really interested in Moose's sister's problems. She covers Autism beautifully and with compassion. It helped me feel grateful that those with Autism seem more understood now-a-days. There is still room for improvement in today's world though.

I was able to listen as the author talked to a bunch of teachers and librarians and I was impressed to learn that her sister had the same type of problems. She talks with understanding and a knowledge of being there. I found the theme that we love those with Autism and they do much better to be beautiful.

It is a wonderful book and I couldn't put it down. I love the characters. I'd recommend this any day.

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett illustrated by Tasha Tudor

After trying to read the last two books, this one was just beautiful.

This is a story about an amazing girl that is being dropped off by her father at a girl's school. Their relationship is described beautiful and you know they are close.

This is a little girl who doesn't give up. This girl has fortitude. She is strong and goes through much but still comes out a Princess.

This is good, beautiful writing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Books not to read!!!!!!!

Yuck and YUCK!!!

This book talks of Oral sex in a lot of description. I bought the first book to see if I'd like the series. It starts out innocent enough and then unexpectedly it described a scene of oral sex and without realizing it I had an awful image in my mind. YUCK!!!! I couldn't even give it to DI....I gave it right to the trash.

This book was on display at the library. It looked fun...swords...kings....perhaps castles. Well right from the first it was very sexual. I didn't enjoy it at all. Bluck!!!

Warning, Warning with these books. They are not my kind of book!

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Turner is a young boy who moves to a new community because his dad is the new minister. He doesn’t really like the new community. They play baseball differently, they aren’t that nice, and his dad is trying so hard to impress the community that he is extra strict with Turner.

Turner meets a little girl named Lizzie. She is from an island founded by former black slaves. These people live a very simple life. Turner and Lizzy become friends and discover a plan that the community has will leave Lizzy and her people without a home.

This is a story about friendship and about cruelty of people and of the goodness of people. This book is based on an event that actually happened. It is an impressive book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

It deserves the Newberry Honor, and Printz Honor Awards. I loved it from beginning to end.

The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket

This lump of coal can think. He really wanted to become an artist. He thinks he can do it if there is a barbeque but it is in the heat of winter and he has been forgotten.

So he tries to move around. He rolls out the backyard and into the center of town. Window shopping helps him find an art gallery with pictures that looked like they were made by other Lumps of coal. He was so surprised. When he goes inside he gets kicked out and told only humans paint here.

So he moves on. He finds a Barbeque place in a Korean restaurant. They said they don’t need any coal.

Just as he was about to give up, he meets Santa Clause. But, this Santa was just an employee of a drugstore. He told them that he did have a disobedient stepson and he wanted to put the lump of coal in his stocking as punishment.

Then the stepson, Jasper, says he wanted coal to create art. The lump of coal is happy to help. Jasper is surprised the lump of coal can talk. They create art together and make a fortune.

With their fortune, they open up a restaurant called “Yi Sang’s Korean Barbeque Palace and Secretarial School. So during the day they cooked genuine Korean food and in the evening they created works of art. Then it talks of miracles.

The illustrations in this book are great. I just love the lump of coal character. He almost makes me giggle when I see him. The story is cute too, it is a fun adventure. I really like the compact size of the book. It is appealing.