The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

“The False Prince” is a story about Sage. Sage is an orphan boy who is quite defiant. He gets into a lot of trouble. In fact, it is as he is stealing some meat that he is nabbed by Conner along with 3 other boys. Conner presents a plan to the 4 boys. Sage isn’t very cooperative with the plan. He causes problems for Conner but Conner keeps him involved in his plan mostly because he doesn’t give Sage or the others any other option. This is no minor plan. Conner wants to present one of them as the long lost son of the king.

Even though Sage is a bit of a rebel rouser, I couldn’t help but thoroughly enjoy his character. I loved all of the characters of this story. I felt a part of their life as I read.

I had just finished a book before this one and so I picked this book up just to read a little to see what it was about because I was going to read it next. Next thing I knew I had been up all night and I finished it. This book is great from page 1.

One thing I like about it is that even though it is the first book of a trilogy (the Ascendance trilogy) it had a really satisfying ending. I don’t often see that in trilogies. I could see where this book was going but I also feel that many loose ends were covered. It was great.

I highly recommend this book.

Rodzina by Karen Cushman

I enjoyed learning a bit while I read this fun little novel. It talks of orphans being transported to the West by trains from the overly orphaned populated Chicago. The interesting part is that this really happened in America. It helped me to think about what it would be like to be one of those orphans.


This book is about a 12 year old girl named Rodzina. Rodzina is a big girl for her age. She doesn’t describe herself as pretty either. She has been well taken care of as she’s grown up but suddenly she finds herself without family when her mother passes away. She’d like to stay in Chicago but the orphanage doesn’t give her an option. This is her adventure with the train of orphans headed West.

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more of Cushman’s books. I like the way she writes. This book helped me want to treat people better. It makes me want to think about how the children around me are treated and to remember that they are people too. It made me ponder a different day and relate it to my own. I’d definitely recommend this book.

Alternate covers:

Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards

This is a sweet book that I wanted to last longer. Mandy is an orphan, but she is very well behaved. The place she lives is a very good place with a lady who really does a good job running it. The lady is very aware of the children and is loving.

During this book, I felt a desire to keep my things nicer and I actually felt motivated to clean my house! lol....maybe you'll have that luck too.

Mandy finds a place that she can be alone and longs to be there always. There is adventure and trouble that she gets into in trying to be in this place alone. Discover where that place is when you pick up this fun book.

Thanks Sue for letting me borrow your book!