Those Girls by Sara Lawrence

Jinx, Liberty and Co. have been friends from since their first year at Stagmount School for Girls. They spend their time going to lavish parties, hitting the local pubs and terrorizing Ms. Gunn "the Gun" and Mrs. Dickinson "The Dick" the two most evil teachers at Stagemount. Their lives were fun and full of little scandal.

But when Stella Fox transfers to Stagemount everything changes. Stella, using her so-sleek-it's-scary tactics to worm her into the hearts of the faculty and students at Stagemount, single handed sends Jinx and her friends' worlds crashing down all around them. And to make matters worse she has Liberty wrapped around her little finger. The girls decide to show Stella whose boss at Stagemount and send "The Fox" back in the dingy hole she crawled from.

Yes this is another clique-esque book. But the characters are so sweet and likable that you can't help......not liking them. The girls in this book use their powers of infinite popularity for good not evil like certain other book series. It was refreshing reading about girls who love to eat and aren't to worried about the way they will look after grubbin' (yeah I said grubbin') on hamburgers, onion rings and a nilla-strawberry shake. I like Sara Lawrence's decision to go against the trend of shallow rich girls in a boarding (even though I like some of those books too). I also loved that even though Jinx was the main voice you read throughout the book; you got to hear from a few others including teachers. In closing, I loved Those Girls and cannot wait for the sequel Crushworthy to be released.

Part 3: Hallway Diaries: The Summer She Learned To Dance by Karen Valentin

Oops! I forgot to post the last story in the Hallway Diaries book.

Giselle Johnson has lived more than a decade without knowing her mom or her mom's Dominican family. Now at age 16 she is shocked when her dad announces that her cousin Juanita, from the Dominican Republic, will be spending the summer with them. At first Giselle doesn't know how she feels about this; but when she meets Juanita her mind is made up. The girl is a SLOB! she eats while she's talking. Wears tacky clothes. And she's really loud. Embarrassed about having to spend the summer hanging out with Juanita. Giselle decides to teach Juanita how to dress, eat and act like a high society teen.

Juanita has always heard stories of her Aunt Jackie from her mother, cousin Giselle, and uncle Kevin. So when her mom gets from uncle Kevin years after Aunt Jackie's death offering to fly Juanita up to America to spend the summer with him and Giselle, She is ecstatic! Aunt Jackie may not be around anymore but Giselle may be just like her. But when she meets Giselle all her hopes of an American Adventure in New York are dashed. Giselle is nothing like Aunt Jackie. She's rude, stuck up, and moody. Not only that. She spends too much money. Taking matters into her own hands, Juanita decides to teach Giselle how to be a true Latina.

The Summer She Learned How To Dance is my favorite story of all three in the Hallway Diaries book. It's a very touching story that sends the message of learning to love yourself for who you are and not letting anyone bring you down. Karen Valentin is an awesome job with the characters. She didn't just write from Giselle's and Juanita's POVs but from Kevin's (Giselle's dad) own too, Which made for an even better story. I would love to read a follow up to this story (maybe one with 200+ pages; hint, hint).

The Last Apprentice: Attack of the Fiend by Joseph Delaney

The County is in terrible danger. The three witch clans of Pendle are plotting something so terrible that it will change the lives of many for the worst. But Tom Ward, apprentice to the Spook, Mr Gregory, has more urgent matters do deal with. One of the Witch Clans, the Malkins to be exact, has kidnapped his brother Jack, his wife Ellie, and their young daughter Mary, and they also managed to somehow get the trunks that his Mam left him upon her return to her homeland of Greece.

Now the Witches are after Tom for the keys to the trunks which they believe holds the power to create the ultimate evil. They strike a deal with him the keys for his family's safe return. But there's just one problem......you can't trust an evil witch.

Geez! that was difficult to summarize without giving EVERYTHING away. But I did my best.....
This book was the scariest of the books in the series so far. Everything was darker and it gave me chills reading about the things that happened. The coming of the Fiend, who is known to us as the Devil, triggered the same emotions I felt when Volemort was brought back to fleshy existence. But the thing that's been on my mind after reading this book is the prophesy given by Tibb the evil Fortune Teller created by the Malkin Witches-- Alice's relatives. He said;

"I see your future clearly. Your life will be sad. Your master will be dead
and you will be alone. It would be better if you had never been born. I see a
girl, soon to be a woman. the girl will share your life. She will love you, she
will betray you, and finally she will die for you. And it will all have been for
nothing. All for nothing........"

As a Harry Potter fan I know better than to take prophesies and make them to be something smaller than a Tic-Tac. I also know that they are very tricky. I don't like talking too much about the books, but I'll tell you this there are two girls who are in love with Tom (and he's barely 14-- can you say stud). We-- or at least the people who've read the series, know who the first girl is. The second one isn't revealed until the end of this book. But my question about the confession made by the second girl is: "Is it the truth or is it something to sway Tom?", that's something for me to think about. Anyway, the second girl has in one book (this one) loved him (or so she says), and betrayed him (not going to tell you how). so that's two points for the second girl; one for the first.

If you want to know what I'm ranting about read The Last Apprentice Series by Joseph Delaney. It's my Harry Potter nicotine and it may be yours too. If you love horror, thriller books by R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike or any other horror/thriller authors then you'll love this series.

P.S.: If you want to see Tibb click on the typed emoticon after this sentence. Caution to the faint of heart, You cannot say I didn't warn you..... 8D

Part 2: Hallway Diaries: Double Act by Debbie Rigaud

All her life Mia Chambers has always been "the smart girl" in school. But at her new school that's hardly the case. Everyone is just as smart (probably even more so) than she is. Now, in the areas that she use to excel in she's failing. Not only that the kids at her old school believe that she thinks she's too good for them.

But Mia knows better. She knows that she is better than the grades she making at that school. She also knows that despite the differences between the kids at her old and new school she can still be down with both. The only problem is proving this to herself and everyone else.

Mia Chambers is a character I can definitely identify with. Like with How To Be Down I was worried that everthing in this story wouldn't flow. And like the last story I'm happy to report that both the story and dialogue was good even if the plot was a bit predictable. I enjoyed reading Mia's story. And I don't think I'll be worrying about the last sory in this book.

Part 1: Hallway Diaries: How To Be Down by Felicia Pride

This should be interesting. Hallway Diaries is a book with three stories each approximately 160 pages long. To make this easier on me and you guys, I will be break up the book Into three parts as I've finish reading each story. So, without further hesitation I present to you story number one.

Nina Parker has lived the last 14 years of her life in Rainhaven, New Jersey. But when her parents decides to buy one of the abandoned buildings in their hometown and turn it into an affordable apartment complex, Nina finds herself back in Baltimore, Maryland for good, and she isn't the least happy about it.

But when the first day of school rolls around, being away from everything she once knew is the last thing on her mind. Taking note of her natural Afro and the way she speaks (without the use of slang), the kids at her new school dubs her "White Girl" and even worse "The Oreo Cookie". Mortified, Nina sets out to find a way to be socially accepted. But is the outcome what she really wanted?

I started reading How To Be Down with many reservations in mind. After reading Gettin' Hooked by Nyaomi Scott I was a little nervous not about the story plot-- if I was I wouldn't be writing this blog post. I was nervous about the author's use of dialogue. Wondering if Felicia Pride captured the vernacular of the kids, and if she did was it used in the right context. Well, I'm happy to say, "Yes she did". Reading the dialogue of this story made me feel like I was interacting with the kids from my school. Nothing was forced, everything was smooth which made How To Be Down a fun, yet predictable, read.

Fix by Leslie Margolis

It's been almost three years since Cameron has seen the kids from her old high school who used to call her "Beakface". Sure her nose job worked wonders for her image at her new school, Bel Air Prep, and won her four fun, fabulous, and popular BFFs and a hot, nature loving BF. But, standing face to face with her tormentors she feels the same insecurities that haunted her back at her old school. Suddenly worrying about how she looks on the outside, she makes a life altering decision; one that would change the way the people look at her for the rest of her life.

But for Cameron's little sister Allie it's the complete opposite. Sure she may look like the before picture of her sister pre nose job-- and will probably look like her post nose job. But, when her own nose job looms in the corners of the near future, she questions value of beauty on the inside and wonders if that isn't enough.

Even though it was very predictable Fix was a good read. It was obvious from the first few chapters what road the sisters were going to choose. Leslie Margolis covers the oxymoron that is beauty and the impact it has on society by delivering the messages of self acceptance and knowing and liking who you are. Miss Margolis I applaud you for your efforts and would like you to know that it did not go unnoticed.

Sweet Valley

So! I've been hearing about the Sweet Valley High being re-released for about two years now. I guess I didn't take this announcement seriously because when I saw the first two books-- Sweet Valley High: Double Love and Sweet Valley High: Secrets, on display I was bit shocked at the sight. I was also a bit sad I don't know why, but happiness was also mixed in there somewhere. But apparently the books are being re-released to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the series.

I felt like talking about this because I'm currently collecting the Sweet Valley series (yes the complete series: Kids, Twins, Junior High, University, High, Senior Year, and The Elizabeth Series) I'm taking my time though because I have no bookshelves or the space for everything yet. Needless to say Sweet Valley has been a kind of a constant in my youth (gosh I sound so old). I haven't read ALL the books from the Kids, High, University, Senior Year, and Elizabeth Series-- I was mainly a SVT (Sweet Valley Twins) and SVJH (Sweet Valley Junior High) fan And I got into SVH after reading book 100: The Evil Twin.

A lot of people have been saying that there's no way that the series will reach the same popularity with this generation as it did with the last. Me? I kinda have to agree. I mean lightening doesn't strike the same place twice. But seeing the books there on display at B&N had me doubting that statment a bit. I'll just have to see won't I?

In the mean time I'm just comparing bookcovers. And personally-- I'm being bias here, I kinda prefer the old bookcovers but the new ones are cute.
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If you want to check out the series Barnes and Noble and Borders has them. You can also check out Amazon.com for the books too. And look out for Books three and four, Playing With Fire and Power Play coming this August.

The Provost's Dog (aka The Beka Cooper Series): Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce is back with a not so new heroine.

Meet Rebakah Cooper ancestor of George Cooper. Beka is a 16 year old girl training to be a Dog, the nickname given to the Provost's Guards who act as the police if their time. Currently at Puppy level, Beka and the other Puppies of her litter (class) are assigned a team to observe. Beka's team, Tunstall and Goodwin, are the top dogs of the moment. As Beka makes her rounds with the team she is faced with two mysteries.

The first the child murders and kidnappings performed by the "Shadow Snake". The Shadow Snake has been terrorizing the people of the Lower City for 3 years by demanding the treasures a family holds dearly. If the family refuses to pay their child is taken and either killed or is sold as a slave.

The second is the killings of the night diggers. Beja hear this from her crows and the dust spinners in the area. The Night Diggers are people who are secretly asked to work as diggers, when their job is done they are either murdered by force or poisoned.

Beka believes that these two crimes are connceted somehow. Is the Shadow Snake and the person Hiring the Night Diggers one and the same or is it something or someone more sinister than the two put together? Beka and the Dogs most figure this out before the two strike again.

I've been a Tamora Pierce fan since last spring when I finished reading Alanna: the First Adventure. Her books are fun and empowering. And after reading Terrier I was blown away again by the sheer adventurousness (Is that even a word?) of her storytelling. Beka and her friends are my absolute favorite characters out of all her books. I hard time believing in her timidness because she seems so fierce in what she wants to accomplish. She definitely gives Alanna a run for she money. I wonder what it'd be like if they ever met face to face.

The Ashleys: There's A New Name In School by Melissa de la Cruz

The Ashleys are three of the most popular, cutest, coolest girls at Miss Gamble's School for Girls.

Ashley Li aka Lili is the smartest girl in school with a long list of extracurriculars that makes even the most busiest person look lazy. She's equal parts Ashley Spencer clone, spoiled poor little rich girl, and heinous witch. But this Ashley is tired of being everyone's puppet and at this moment is planning something huge to overthrow Ashley Spencer's reign of terror.

Ashley Alioto aka A.A. aka The "Nice" Ashley definitely did not get her nickname because of her bra size. Apart from being the sweetest of the three Ashleys she's also the one is so much more mature both in looks and boy experience (the boy experience comes from having an older brother with older friends). This year A.A. is more interested in her secret BF Laxjock who she met over the internet but has yet met in person. She's so curious and a bit worried as to who he might be that all Ashley issues are put on hold. Hope it doesn't mess up the girls' relationship.

Ashley Spencer is the only Ashley allowed to use her first name. This decision was made by the head Ashley herself dubbing her the automatic leader....for the rest of their school life. Ashley is probably the meanest girl known to mankind. She has no weaknesses....except one. It is said that you should avoid stepping in this girl's path, if you can help it.

So that's the Ashleys. Miss Gamble's personal rulers of terror. But when the 7th grade rolls around their reign may come to an abrupt end all thanks to:

Lauren Page is also one of the smartest girls at Miss Gambles. She's also the girl the Ashleys terrorized from since Kindergarten. Now literally a rags-to-riches story she plans to take the 7th grade by storm, infiltrate the Ashleys and demolish the group from the inside out. To bad the girls are too busy with their own lives and sucking up to the now billionaire classmate to see what's really going on.

After reading this book all I could say was "Wow". These girls makes the Clique girls look like angels. They're so vicious it's scary. But I do love this book. It's an almost seamless combination of Heathers and Mean Girls. Lauren Page is equal parts Cady and Veronica in twelve year old form. Even though the book was pretty predictable it was very much entertaining. I haven't read any of Melissa de la Cruz's books but I do love this one so I'm going to see this series through. In short. If you love The Clique series by Lisi Harrison then you'll love The Ashleys. If not. Read it and you'll love it anyway.

Gettin' Hooked by Nyomi Scott

Prom is just a few weeks away and Imani Lane still hasn't had a date. It's not that she hasn't being asked, It's just that she hasn't been asked by the right guy, Maurice Simms. Maurice is the next door neighbor to Imani's cousin Kayla. She's been in love with him ever since the day he moved into the townhouse next to Kayla's and she has been bashful ever since.

But with Prom fast approaching she's growing desperate. So desperate in fact that she decides to create a teen hook up site for the kids going to Creekside and Howard High School, the schools that Imani and Kayla attend, just so she get matched up with Maurice. The site (gettinhooked.com) slowly becomes an instant hit among their friends. However, when the site becomes too popular Imani is blamed for the fights and the drama that was "caused". Not only that, she is no where near close to gettin hooked with Maurice. But all Imani's problems are put on hold when Kayla run off to hang out with a guy she met through the site over the Spring Break.

The plot was great but I didn't like the dialogue to much. It seemed as if the author was trying too hard to connect with the readers which made the book very difficult to read. One word is all I have to say to Ms. Scott....RESEARCH. Research the way teens talk. Write down or tape what they say. You got a little bit of it right you just need to let it flow. Other than that your story was really good, I'd like to read more about Imani and Her mother's relationship.

A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

When 18 year old Harriet Morton is asked to go join Sasha Dubrov's Ballet Company on a tour to the Amazon, she turns them down. Both her father, the stuffy Classics Professor at the local Cambridge College and her penny pinching Aunt Louisa would most definitely disapprove. After all they took her away from school the moment her teacher suggested she can go to university with a full scholarship. Now all she has is her Ballet classes and if she even whispers about the job offer to anyone at home there would be nothing left for her. But she cannot help it she asks her father and is automatically shot down and banned from going to her Ballet classes.

In the past Harriet has never complained or in any way tried disobey her father's wishes. But when she meets 7-yearold Henry Brandon, heir to the Brandon estate, she is convinced to leave her family and travel to the Amazon with the Ballet Corps. However, working for the Ballet Company isn't all what Harriet goes to the Amazon to do. Henry wants her to help him find "the boy" who would help the crumbling Brandon estate back in proper form, and he believes that "the boy" is somewhere is the Amazon. With this in mind Harriet sets out to have the adventure of a lifetime.

If you're a fan of Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle Trilogy and/or Anna Godbersen's The Luxe. Or if you are a fan of fiction set in the elegant Victorian Ages, you'll love this book. A Company of Swans is set in this time and reflects the life of women and young girls in the era. Eva Ibbotson has become one of my absolute favorite authors after reading this book. It's impossible not to fall in love with Harriet. She is just so sweet, a little bit like Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. Add this book to your reading list. You will love it.

The Clique Summer Series: Massie by Lisi Harrision

So, the first Clique Summer Series book is out. And I was so happy to have read it. But I almost missed it because at a mere 123 pages anyone could have walked by it on the shelves of their local book stores and not notice it.

So in the last book Bratfest at Tiffany's the girls in the Pretty Committee were extremely secretive about what happened to them over the summer between 7th and 8th grade. If you're wondering what happened to each of them I'm no the one to tell you have to go read it yourselves. Not to be so mean and witchy (with a "B") I'll give you an overview.

Massie's summer starts off as awe inspiring and fabulous as usual. She's at the best Summer Riding camp in the U.S., Galwaugh Farms Sleep away Riding Camp, when after a small misunderstanding she was given the boot. She then joins her parents in the Hamptons hoping to get some sort of sympathy but is shocked and devastated when they not only ground her and take away her credit cards, they order her to get a job to pay them back for the money they spent on the camp. But Massie doesn't what a job she wants a jobby (JOB + HOBBY = JOBBY). She sets out to get a jobby and finds BE Cosmetics, a fairly new cosmetics company that hires teen girls as sales people. So Massie is on a role to be the best at her jobby, impress Anastasia Brees the company owner and Massie's new role model and to pay back her parents fast enough so she can get her hands on the latest summer fashions.

Even though the book was tiny (in comparison to the other clique books) it didn't skim on the spirit of the Clique Series. Massie is just as devilish and conniving as ever-- probably even more so, which was a bit unnerving. But in the spirit of the Clique series it's all good. The book was worth the wait and I can't wait to see what Lisi has in store for the other members of the Pretty Committee.

Tagged, Again

OK!! So I was tagged again by Pockets Full of Posies who I tagged before.

The Rules:
1) You link back to the person who tagged you.
2) Post these rules on your blog.
3) Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4) Tag six random people at the end of your entry.
5) Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Six More Unimportant (possibly uninteresting) Things About Me

1. I was born talking. Well, not talking talking just babbling.

2. I my favorite flavors/scents are: strawberry, raspberry, peach, vanilla, citrus (meaning anything lime, lemon, orange, tangerine, and grapefruit)

3. Speaking of oranges, hate the fruit love the drink.

4. I not too sure if I like my blog name. (Sad huh?)

5. I'm the middle child. So you know what that means....

6. I'm fixing dinner.

People I Just Tagged:

Book Lover Reviews

3 Evil Cousins

Twyla Lee Nix

Shimmer Kisser

Live] Laugh} Love.

The Preppy Pearl

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Toodles