Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

I love the movie called "Ella Enchanted" a lot.  I also like this book too.  But I think they are both unique works and the movie does not follow the book.  It is like a separate work.  The main idea of someone having to be obedient is one of the few things similar but, not much else otherwise.  They are both good but not really the same story.  Ella is given a gift at birth...an awful gift.  She must be obedient.  See how she does deals with it and see how it is similar to a fairytale we all know.  This book is so fun to read.

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

This is a continuing story from Princess of the Midnight Ball.  This is a story about Poppy after the Princess of the Midnight Ball.  It sounds a bit like another fairy tale we all know.

Poppy is sent to a neighboring kingdom to promote peace.  She is in a new community.  There is a strange green light that happens on occasion here and she is cautious because of her background.  She is in a new adventure involving magic.  I enjoyed this book.  It was a fast, fun read.

Becoming Kate by Dixie Owens

Great Read!  I really like the cover of the book but, the inside is just as fun as the outside.

I thought this was fun, light reading and I wasn't able to figure out what was going to happen in the story next.  There was great intrigue in this book.

Liz has a great life, wonderful husband and two children.  She is happy.  Then she gets in a car accident and wakes up in the body of little girl named, Kate.  She is the first successful brain transplant.  This book is about her new life and how she deals with the situation life has dealt her.

I couldn't put the book down.  Definitely worth reading!  Made me wonder when Dixie Owens will have another book.  I guess this book is her debut.

The Miraculous Journal of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo & illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

This is a story about a bunny made of china who lives with a little girl named Abilene.  He is pretty content with life until he gets lost.  There is a great message in this book.  It is a cute, fun story.  I didn't think a story about a bunny would interest me too much but, I really enjoyed this story.

Chalk by Bill Thomson

This children's picture book has NO words but, it is quickly becoming one of my very favorite picture books.  It was recommended at the http://ce.byu.edu/cw/bfyr/  that I went to on Thursday and Friday of this week.  One of the sessions is a bunch of librarians recommending books.  This one was recommended by one of them.  She said that as she read it by just turning the pages because there are no words, the children would say, "Read it again."  It is a beautiful and fun book.  I thought of it long after I finished looking at it.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

I must admit when I first started this book I was a bit worried.  It seemed a bit harsh and I got worried that I would not be old enough to read it.  See Article About Being Old Enough.  I was happily pleased that this book has great merit and I do like it. 

Even though I was worried, I know now that very way she started the book will attract those who need this book the most.  Laurie Halse Anderson is a great author and weaves the story brilliantly.

This book is a story about a girl who doesn't say much to anyone.  It is what she is thinking as she says nothing at all.

I really enjoyed what this book does and can do for teens.

The Widower's Wife by Prudence Bice

The Widower's Wife is a fun, light read.  I think it is well done.  I enjoyed just sitting and reading for fun.  I had a hard time pulling myself away from this book.

Jillian Grey is going to become a mail order bride to Dalton McCullough.  They have been corresponding through mail.  They have both arranged an agreement that she would take care of his children and become his wife but both have an understanding there would be no romance.  When Jillian & Dalton finally meet they both discover it may be hard to keep that promise.

You'd think this book would be just a simple story but, the author tells beautifully how they manage.  I was intrigued by this story and think you will be too.  I recommend it.