Book Blog #254: Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Title: Out of My Mind
Author: Sharon M. Draper
# of Pages: 295 (paperback)
Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: ★★★★★
Synopsis: Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can’t walk. She can’t talk. She can’t write. All because she has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it. Most people—her teachers, her doctors, her classmates—dismiss her as mentally challenged because she can’t tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow.
Review:

"I have spastic bilateral quadriplegia, also known as cerebral palsy. It limits my body, but not my mind...We all have disabilities. What’s yours?"

Man, there are some REALLY good children's books out there.

I had low expectations; I haven't read a good YA book in a long time, and this book is aimed toward middle grade and younger audiences. I had no idea what to expect.

Out of My Mind is a touching story told from the first person narration of young girl with cerebral palsy. Melody reveals the internal struggles she experiences in a body that does not match her mind. This book will reveals what it is like to live with cerebral palsy and how frustrating it is to be accepted in a world with such a condition.

Like Small Steps, I loved how this story allowed the reader to see through the eyes of someone with cerebral palsy and experience the difficulties that come with communicating, building relationship, and operating in a not-so-accessible world. Although this is a work of fiction (unlike Small Steps), this story is much more emotionally moving than an autobiography (there were times where I was tearing up; it's been a long time since that's happened).

I would recommend this book to EVERYONE, not just young readers. Yes, the writing style is simpler to make it easier for younger reader to read. However, the story itself is rich with experiences and is an enlightening read for everyone.

Book Blog #116: The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Title: The Shadow Throne
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
# of Pages: 317 (hardback)
Genre: YA, Middle Grade, Adventure
Rating:★★★☆☆
Synopsis: War has come to Carthya. It knocks at every door and window in the land. And when Jaron learns that King Vargan of Avenia has kidnapped Imogen in a plot to bring Carthya to its knees, Jaron knows it is up to him to embark on a daring rescue mission. But everything that can go wrong does.

His friends are flung far and wide across Carthya and its neighbouring lands. In a last-ditch effort to stave off what looks to be a devastating loss for the kingdom, Jaron undertakes what may be his last journey to save everything and everyone he loves. But even with his lightning-quick wit, Jaron cannot forestall the terrible danger that descends on him and his country. Along the way, will he lose what matters most? And in the end, who will sit on Carthya's throne?
Review: The Shadow Throne is probably my least favorite book of the trilogy.

This book revolves around the war between Carthya and Avenia, and with war comes politics. And with politics comes confusion. The flow of the book wasn't as smooth as The False Prince, especially since Jaron moves around a lot. Smaller details need to be noted to understand the fighting that was going on.

However, the ending was pretty good. I still wish there was more development of some of the characters and that Roden was too easily trusted.

Book Blog #115: The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Title: The Runaway King
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
# of Pages: 331 (hardback)
Genre: YA, Middle Grade, Adventure
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis:  Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?
Review: The Runaway King had a rocky start, but had a bit of a "big-reveal" ending that almost was as good as The False Prince's.

I wish there was more development Imogen either in this book or in The False Prince. I don't feel any attachment to her at all, and it's affecting my enjoyment of the plot.

I really like Jaron's character. He's mischievous and sneaky, but is also brave and caring towards both his country and the people he knows.

If you liked the False Prince, I recommend this one!

Book Blog #114: The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Title: The False Prince
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
# of Pages: 342 (paperback)
Genres: YA, Middle Grade,  Adventure
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point—he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well. 

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.
Review: This review is based off the second reading through the book.

I didn't realize it the first time I read it, but The False Prince is written at about the same level as Tuesdays at the Castle.

Part of the reason why I rated this book four stars instead of five (like I did previously) is because I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the first time. Of course, this may be the result of already knowing the plot, but I did notice a few imperfections I didn't notice before.

Conner's plan seemed incredibly flawed. I'm not sure how he expected to make a convincing prince in two weeks. Plus, the training that Sage/Jaron received did not seem sufficient for him to pretend to be a prince.

The way the background to how Jaron became Sage seemed a bit weak. A whole bunch of information was just awkwardly thrown at the reader at once, and the chapters it took to explain it all disrupted the flow of the story.

Overall, still a very good book! Although the writing style is appropriate for a middle-grade reading level, it is still entertaining for all ages.

Book Blog #87: You Have to Stop This by Pseudonymous Bosch

Title: You Have to Stop This
Author: Pseudonymous Bosch
# of Pages: 347 (paperback)
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: I always feared this day would come. A secret is meant to stay secret, after all. And now we've come to this: the fifth and final (I swear!) book in my saga of secrets.

A class trip to the local natural history museum turns dangerous when Cass accidentally breaks a finger off a priceless mummy. This "crime" of vandalism leads her and her friends Max-Earnest and Yo-Yoji on an expedition into a land of majestic pyramids, dusty tombs, and the walking dead. Is it Egypt? Or somewhere much stranger...
Review: After all this time, the Secret Series has finally come to an end.

It's been a while since I read the first book, and I remember loving it. The book wasn't like most books; it's funny and ideal for those who usually don't like to read (I DO like to read). Bosch made an effort to connect with his audience, which, although is created for a younger age group, can be enjoyed by older audiences too.

You Have to Stop This didn't have quite as much Bosch (as in Bosch rambling about himself or chocolate, or something else that is completely unrelated to the plot) in it as I was hoping for, but was interesting nonetheless. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to understand what was going on since it has been a while since I read the fourth installment, but, surprisingly, I was able to understand and enjoy what was going on, picking up on the story as I read (although it wasn't too hard to figure out; the main goal is to find the Secret).

Overall, I found this book very satisfying. It's a very quick, fun, and intriguing read! I recommend it to all Secret Series lovers!!!

Book Blog #77: Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

Title: Tuesdays at the Castle
Author: Jessica Day George
# of Pages: 254 (paperback)
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating:  ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic.

Review: Three days ago I decided that it was time to finally read the middle grade book that found it's way on my shelf two years ago.  It was given to me as a gift, and, although I smiled at thanked the person, I found the cover all together unappealing. As a result, I put it ago the other books who have been patiently waiting for me to read them for years. Since I have a bit more time on my hands, and my progression on Chosen at Nightfall (by C.C. Hunter) is a bit behind schedule, I read this book at the same time.

It defiantly is a middle grade book. There are only two-hundred pages, leaving room for a short, slightly undeveloped plot. But, honestly, that wasn't what I didn't like about Tuesdays at the Castle. The plot was decent enough and had me up until midnight last night just so I could finish reading it.

Celie, on the other hand, was a problem. George claims that she's eleven, but she acts more like she's five. It would be better if she WAS five; then her childish antics wouldn't seem so immature. By the time I finished the book, I couldn't believe that it was HER that was the hero.

What's worse is that the supporting characters seem to be ecstatic over her ideas and act as though they are incapable of thinking of a better idea which, I assure you, there are defiantly better ideas than Celie's.

If George had removed Celie completely from the story and replaced her with someone who actually acts her age, then I would have enjoyed the book a lot more. I recommend this book to people twelve and under.