Book Review: Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess 01); By Jessica Day George

Wow… I took a year or so after buying this book, to actually reading it. What was I thinking? I usually jump, dive and read books like this as soon as I get it. I was wrong. I should have read it one as soon as I get my hands on it. I’m glad I’m trying to finish my fairy-tales retellings challenge, or I wouldn’t have pick it up.

Cover-wise. So pretty! I suspect that’s Rose on the cover, so beautiful as it has been stated between the pages. I don’t know why I didn’t stack it on top of my TBR pile.

Reading this book is like love in first sight. It got me at the first sentence. The 12 Dancing Princesses has always been one of my favorite tales growing up, and reading this retelling is really wonderful. Honestly said, what I remembered much about the tale was the princesses beautiful dresses and their worn out shoes. Galen is a wonderful “Prince Charming”. He’s different. An ex military turn gardener, fancying one of the princesses, who are trapped in a curse set by the King Under the Stone. The curse is a great spin to an age old tale.

Frankly of what’s lacking, I did expect the princesses to be more active in the novel itself, since it is about them, but we are left mostly of Galen’s experiences. While I was reading, all I could thought of was where’s the princesses? They pop here and there, but I was expecting their “experiences” their thoughts, their tales… I can’t say about emotions, since their emotions are there. Totally present with their anger, and crying here and there. I do wish they pop around saying if one of them fancy this suitor or that, or present their wishes, thoughts.

But other wise, it’s all good.

Would I recommend this? EXTREMELY! If you love reading retellings, this book is for you.

First Words. Because he had once been human, King Under Stone sometimes found himself plagued by human emotions.

Quote. “No need, no, need. Life is already too short to find it.”

Princess of the Midnight Ball (Princess #1)
By Jessica Day George
As the crown princess, Rose is never without a dance partner. She and her eleven sisters are treated to beautiful gowns, slippers, and dances at party after party in their father's palace. But their evenings do not end when the guests return home. Instead, Rose and her sisters must travel deep into the earth to the wicked King Under Stone's palace. There, the girls are cursed to dance each night, even when they grow exhausted or ill.
Many princes have tried-and failed-to break the spell. But then Rose meets Galen, a young soldier-turned-gardener with an eye for adventure. Together they begin to unravel the mystery. To banish the curse, they'll need an invisibility cloak, enchanted silver knitting needles, and, of course, true love.

Finished Reading: 29th September 2012
Acquire: 16th September 2011
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } fiction | young adult | teens | fairy tales retellings | fantasy | romance |
Release Day }  April 2010
Publisher } Bloomsbury USA Children
Format } Paperback 
ISBN } 9781599904559
Pages } 304 pages
Source } bought
Age Group } 12+
Interests } reluctant readers | middle graders | fairy tales retelling  
Awards } ALA Best Books For Young Adults (2010)
Support my reading by getting your copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

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Biography Review: Cut; By Cathy Glass

rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
genre } non-fiction | biography | abuse 
release day }  April 2009
acquired } 04th August 2008
publisher } Harper Element 
format } paperback
isbn } 9780007280971
pages } 310 pages
source } bought
age group } 15+
interests } If you like reading The child call IT, (well not enjoy, you know what I mean)  
awards } -

Cut: The True Story Of An Abandoned, Abused Little Girl Who Was Desperate To Be Part Of A Family
by Cathy Glass

The author of "Damaged "tells the story of the Dawn, a sweet and seemingly well-balanced girl whose outward appearance masks a traumatic childhood of suffering at the hands of the very people who should have cared for her. Dawn was the first girl Cathy Glass ever fostered. Sweet and seemingly well balanced girl, Dawn's outward appearance masked a traumatic childhood so awful, that even she could not remember it. During the first night, Cathy awoke to see Dawn looming above Cathy's baby's cot, her eyes staring and blank. She sleepwalks--which Cathy learns is often a manifestation in disturbed children. It becomes a regular and frightening occurrence, and Cathy is horrified to find Dawn lighting a match while mumbling it's not my fault in her sleep one night. Cathy discovers Dawn is playing truant from school, and struggling to make friends. More worryingly she finds her room empty one night, and her pillow covered in blood. Dawn has been self-harming in order to release the pain of her past. When Dawn attempts suicide, Cathy realizes that she needs more help than she can give. Dawn's mother eventually confides in her that Dawn was sent away to live with relatives in Ireland between the ages of 5 and 9, and Cathy soon realizes that the horrors Dawn was exposed to during this time have left her a very disturbed little girl.

My 2 Cents
To be honest, It took me a while to finish this book. In fact, it took me to finish reading 5 books to actually finish reading this book. It’s a good biography, I can’t deny that, but, it’s hard to sit and read through this in just one go. But in my defense, It was a very busy few months for me at work and such.

I have to forewarn you, it’s a bit graphic. It’s a bout a child of the age of 13 who had problem with cutting. Cathy Glass and her husband adopted this child, and it’s a struggle to read about this polite child with a dark side yet has a need to rebel hard. What really perked my ears up reading this is wanting to know what happened during her missing years before living with Cathy. I wanted to know what happened to cause her behavior.

Personally this was a bit of an emotional read. Once I actually settle down and actually read this (finally getting time to settle down and read), it was a page turner. The child on the cover is just perfect. It screamed, “Help me please…” It also help me with my work, since I am working with students Dawn’s age, Empathy-wise.

The down side of this book was that, at the end, I wanted more. I Want to know what happened next, Follow up. But I was kept hanging. But it did open the door for me to check out her other books.

Library-wise. I guess I could say The older students (seniors) would enjoy reading this book. But I’m tempted to try it with our middle graders students. But with caution I guess, because the middle graders are easily influence to suggestion. Otherwise, it’s up to the parents.

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Book Review: The Frog Princess By E. D. Baker

finished reading : 10 June 2012
rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
genre } fiction | fairy tales | fantasy | teens 
release day }  October 2004
acquired } 16th December 2011
publisher } Bloomsbury USA Children 
format } paperback
isbn } 9781582349237
pages } 224 pages
source } bought
age group } 12+
interests } fairy tales retellings  
awards } -
Get Your Copy } Kindle | Amazon.com

The Frog Princess
By E. D. Baker

Via Goodreads
Princess Emeralda a.ka. Emma isn't exactly an ideal princess. Her laugh is more like a donkey's bray than tinkling bells, she trips over her own feet and she does not like Prince Jorge, whom her mother hopes she will marry. But if Emma ever thought to escape her troubles, she never expected it to happen by turning into a frog! When convinced to kiss a frog so he might return to being a prince, somehow the spell is reversed and Emma turns into a frog herself! Thus begins their adventure--a quest to return to human form.

Fascinating and hilarious characters ranging from a self-conscious but friendly bat to a surprisingly loyal snake and a wise green witch confirm that readers won't soon forget this madcap story. A fantastic debut from the talented E.D. Baker.

My 2 Cents
I must admit, nobody told me about this series.As far as I know, none (maybe a couple or so) book bloggers knew about this series at all. True to my addictive genre, (fairy tales retellings, if you haven’t by now), I take a plunge. I was expecting, the usual snotty princess playing golden ball, ball fall into pond, frog rescue ball, frog wants kiss, frog eats and sleeps with princess, frog turn prince.

Boy, I was wrong. It caught me at the beginning! (well not really. It was slow for me to catch up cause I was in the middle of a busy week when I was reading this one)

First Sentence: Even as a little girl, I had thought that the swamp was a magical place where new lives began and the old ones ended, where enemies and heroes weren’t always what one expected, and where anything could happen, even to a clumsy princess. Although I’d believed this for most of my life, I had no proof until Prince Jorge came to visit and I met the frog of my dreams.

Quote: “I’ve been told that kissing a frog is good for the complexion,” he said, sidling toward me.

This book is funny and enjoyable to read offering a nice spin to the well famous fairy tale. In fact, it adds that particular spice to the story. It does reminded me a bit of that Frog princess movie where the princess turned into a frog after she kissed the frog. Princess Emeralda is a normal girl, unlike her typical snotty character suppose to be. The frog prince is hilarious enough that I actually blurt out laughing in public while reading this book. Ended up with people giving me that look.

This would be an awesome addition for a school library, particularly middle school libraries. Check it out! .

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Book Review: Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories

finished reading : 3 June 2012
rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
genre } non-fiction | biography | abuse 
release day }  April 2009
acquired } 04th August 2008
publisher } Harper Element 
format } paperback
isbn } 9780007280971
pages } 310 pages
source } bought
age group } 15+
interests } If you like reading The child call IT, (well not enjoy, you know what I mean)  
awards } -

Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories
By Megan Kelly Hall, Carrie Jones, Claudia Gabel, Courtney Sheinmel, Crissa-Jean Chappell, Cyn Balog, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Daniel Waters, Dawn Metcalf, Debbie Rigaud, Deborah Kerbel, Diana Rodriguez Wallach, A.S. King, Eric Luper, Erin Dionne, Alyson Noel, Amy Goldman Koss, Amy Reed, Aprilynne Pike, Carolyn Mackler, Carrie Ryan, Cecil Castellucci, Heather Brewer, Holly Cupala, Janni Lee Simner, Jeannine Garsee, Jessica Brody, Jo Knowles, Jocelyn Maeve Kelley, Jon Scieszka, Kieran Scott, Kiersten White, Kristin Harmel, Kurtis Scaletta, Lara Zeises, Laura Kasischke, Lauren Kate, Lauren Oliver, Linda Gerber, Lisa McMann, Lisa Schroeder, Lisa Yee, Lucienne Diver, Marina Cohen, Marlene Perez, Maryrose Wood, Megan McCafferty, R.L. Stine, Melissa Schorr, Ellen Hopkins, Laurie Faria Stolarz

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Discover how Lauren Kate transformed he feeling of that one mean girl getting under her skin into her first novel, how Lauren Oliver learned to celebrate ambiguity in her classmates and in herself, and how R.L. Stine turned being the "funny guy" into the best defense against the bullies in his class.
Today's top authors for teens come together to share their stories about bullying—as silent observers on the sidelines of high school, as victims, and as perpetrators—in a collection at turns moving and self-effacing, but always deeply personal.

My 2 Cents
The first time I heard about this book, I was quite reluctant to get it. A few weeks later, a good friend recommended this book , and I was still reluctant to read it. But after a bit while, I gave in cause it was beckoning me to read it.

One huge message this book has would be, “You are not alone” to all bullying victims out there. Another side of this book, would be the stories from bullying “by-standers”. The party who are the audiences of the ordeal. Then, there are stories from ex bullies, sharing their experiences, their regret, their…”after taste” of their personal experience

This book really hit home for me. I think that was why I was avoiding to read this book in the first place. Once upon a time I was a bully victim, with “friends” as bystanders, and “friends” as the bullies, hence this was quite a personal matter of interest to actually read myself. Honestly said, this book practically humanize  our favorite authors into people we could relate to and not that someone who are so farfetched individuals as we would assume.

Page by page, this book is hard to put down. Is it that bad if I actually have a “in your face” feelings at the “Ex- Bullies” section of the book.

In serious part of the job, I am so tempted to get a copy of this book for the school library. What’s stopping me is the few vulgar language portray within some of the stories, which is a no-no for the students within a school. After all, we are trying to brainwash these kids into better behavior. It is quite a shame though, cause this book “clicked”.

Quote
”The situation quickly degenerated to an aggressive rumor campaign and, finally, to my daughter having her name written on the girls’ bathroom wall in conjunction with something truly humiliating by someone who had once been her best friend.”

One the last note: Why haven’t YOU pick this book up yet?

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Book Review: Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go; by Dale E. Basye

rate } ♠♠♠♠♠♥
genre } fiction | fantasy | middle grade | supernatural
release day }  April 2009
acquired } 20th March 2012
publisher } Yearling
format } paperback
isbn } 9780375840760
pages } 304 pages
source } bought
age group } 12+
interest } Anybody who has read The Series of the Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket)
awards } -

Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go
(The Nine Circles of Heck #1)
by Dale E. Basye

When Milton and Marlo Fauster die in a marshmallow-bear explosion, they get sent straight to Heck, an otherworldly reform school. Milton can understand why his kleptomaniac sister is here, but Milton is—or was—a model citizen. Has a mistake been made? Not according to Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness. She doesn’t make mistakes. She personally sees to it that Heck—whether it be home ec class with Lizzie Borden, ethics with Richard Nixon, or gym with Blackbeard the pirate—is especially, well, heckish for the Fausters. Will Milton and Marlo find a way to escape? Or are they stuck here for all eternity, or until they turn eighteen, whichever comes first?

My 2 Cents
I found this book in the list of “If you’ve enjoyed Lemony Snicket…” list and the blurb kind of perk my interest.

The book turned out to be cute, and it does have the hint of Lemony Snicket sort of storyline, just as good. I really feel sorry for Milton to end up in Heck, being stuck to his sister… in the weirdest way to die ever. But something has to give to lead through a good story. The characters are truly believable and if you’re the kind to sink into a good book, you be lost in it cause it just has a good plot.

I am in love with this book and intend of getting on the next book on the list. I suspect the students at work would really enjoy this series as well. With all the monsters and icky stuff it has within.

P/S My confession. I finished reading this weeks ago. I just don’t have the time lately to post up reviews because of a sudden surge of busy season at work. Internet has been a PITA as well. So I guess Bear with me please…

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Book Review: The Girl in the Mirror By Cathy Glass

rate } ♠♠♠
genre } Non-fiction | Biography | Abuse
release day } 1st April 2005
acquired } 11th March 2012
publisher } Harper
format } paperback
isbn } 9781780880334
pages } 320 pages
source } bought
age group } 18+
interest } Anybody who has read The Child called IT
awards } -
Buy @ Nolly Book | D BookHaus

The Girl in the Mirror
By Cathy Glass

Via Goodreads
When Mandy learns her much-loved Grandpa is dying, she returns to the house where she spent so many wonderful summers as a child. But she has long since lost touch with the rest of her family, and Mandy returns as a virtual stranger. As memories come back to her, Mandy begins to remember why events brought a sudden end to her visits.

My 2 Cents.
I have been reading alot of books in regards of abuse recently, so I guess, it is not a surprise that I actually picked this one up for read this time. All I could say about this book is, it was a slow agonizing read, yet I knew what was happening, there were hints but I just have to stay and see it true in hopes somebody say something, do something, just something!

It felt emotionally empty reading it. It’s like Mandy, the main character, had disassociate herself from the event. Yet, I was sucked into the wait of anticipation to read. I have to say the only time I felt it actually started was about at the 3/4 through the book. I was bored after that few rounds with the grandfather. I give it a bravo for misleading me.

It was a good read nonetheless, an ok plot, plus an easy read. But I must say, I’m pretty much annoyed at the end! I was emotional too!

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Book Review: 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life By David Grotto

rate } ♠♠♠♠
genre } Food & Drink | Health | Nutrition
release day } 26th December 2007
acquired } 11th February 2009
publisher } Bantam
format } paperback
isbn } 9780553384321
pages } 464 pages
source } bought
age group } G
interest } G
awards } -
Buy @ Amazon.com | Nolly Book | D BookHaus

 

101 Foods That Could Save Your Life
By David Grotto

Via Goodreads
When it comes to food, nature provides a wealth of delicious choices. But each one also supplies unique health benefits. Leading nutritionist David Grotto reveals a wealth of power foods, from apples to yogurt, and explains why

• A handful of cherries before bed can help you sleep better
• Hot peppers may fight skin cancer
• Potatoes may reduce the risk of stroke
• Grape juice may be as heart-healthy as red wine
• Honey can help wounds heal faster

Each entry features a history of a food’s origin, a list of therapeutic benefits, information on scientific research, tips for use and preparation, and an appetizing recipe from a leading chef or nutritionist. Prepare to awaken your taste buds, lose weight, and let the healing begin!

My 2 Cents
I can’t say I have read this in one sitting. I pretty much find this more of a repetitive reference book. It provides you with the origins, where, why home remedies and tells you what it helps improving in your health. Much so, it also provides us with a recipe for easy serving tips.

If you’re expecting pictures, forget about it. It is a full bound text. Yup.. You have to refer to the internet if you want to recognize the food with it’s name. Otherwise it’s a good book.

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Back to the Classics Challenge 2012

January 2012 – December 2012

• Any 19th Century Classic
• Any 20th Century Classic
• Reread a classic of your choice
• A Classic Play
• Classic Mystery/Horror/Crime Fiction
• Classic Romance
• Read a Classic that has been translated from its original language to your languange  - To clarify, if your native language is NOT English, you may read any classic originally written in English that has been translated into your native language.  
• Classic Award Winner - To clarify, the book should be a classic which has won any established literary award.  
• Read a Classic set in a Country that you (realistically speaking) will not visit during your lifetime - To Clarify, this does not have to be a country that you hope to visit either.  Countries that no longer exist or have never existed count.

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2012 Banned/Challenged Book Reading Challenge

We all know that there is a whole week devoted to Banned and Challenged books.  But why stop at a week?!  Why not a whole YEAR?!
Rules:

• Anyone can join
• You don't need a blog to participate.  For non-bloggers, please leave a comment with a link (if you review somewhere else) to the review or leave a list of the books you read on the monthly link up post.

• Audio, ebooks, and bound books are ok.

• No re-reads

• Create a sign up post and post the link in the linky.

• Challenge goes from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

• Challenge Crossovers are ok.

Levels:
Level 1 - Read 12 Banned/Challenged books
Level 2 - Read 24 Banned/Challenged books
Level 3 - Read 36 Banned/Challenged books
Level 4 - Read 37+ Banned/Challenged books

Goodreads Lists to refer to:
The Most Frequently Challenged Books
Banned Books
Popular Challenged Books

American Library Association Links:
Banned & Challenged Classics
100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 1990 –1999
Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000 – 2009


My Choice:
Let’s do with Level 1 first

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