An Unexpected Role by Leslea Wahl Review + Giveaway

An Unexpected Role by Leslea Wahl



Josie, a clumsy teen and theater nerd, has an abundance of mortifying moments. These moments are unfortunately incorporated into her mother's novels, which are then published for all of her school to see.

Embarrassed and needing to escape, she leaves home to visit her aunt on Coral Island and resolves to spend a perfect summer on the beach where no one she knows can find her. She spends day after day on the beach, becomes best friends with her elderly neighbor, and gets a boyfriend. Everything is going perfectly- until Ryan shows up.

Josie is convinced he is going to ruin her summer. Ryan is a boy from school who seems to follow her everywhere and is annoyingly certain that her boyfriend has something to do with the robberies that are plaguing Coral Island.

As the mystery continues to unfold, tragedy strikes, and Josie must decide if she believes in God, who she stands behind, and who she is.

I loved this book! It was fantastic. Josie was a great character and it was fun to see where the story took her.

Also, we are doing a GIVEAWAY of this book! On the 27th of September, we will put up a post titled "An Unexpected Role Giveaway". If you comment any book you would like us to review on that post, you are automatically entered into the giveaway. The comment section will be closed on the 4th of October and the winner will be announced on the 5th.

One more thing! We are going to be posting a lot more now. If you could email us requests to review a book you like, or if you are an author hoping to get more publicity for your book, that'd be great. Thanks!

-Grace

Book Review: The Boxcar Children: Book 1

The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

This old classic sat on our shelf for a long time before the kids picked it up and chose it for a read-aloud. We were all pleasantly surprised to find a fun, adventurous little read.

Four orphan children are wandering alone, when they come across an abandoned boxcar in the forest...the perfect hideaway.

They make the boxcar into home, damming up a stream nearby to make a bath, using the under-side of a waterfall for a refrigerator, and working in the nearby town for food.

The story and phrasing is simple. It would make a great early chapter book.

What I love about this story is how the children take care of each other and their 'home'. In some ways, they act like little adults, but they are also childlike, and their adventures are fun and interesting.

We look forward to reading the next installment in this mystery series.

Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams

Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams
Book Review by Emily

When Sadie's family moves to Salt Lake City, she discovers a secret room in the attic with a painted sign that says "Palace Beautiful". Inside, she and her new friend, Bella, find the diary of a girl who lived during the flu epidemic of 1918. When the journal ends suddenly, they find themselves caught up in the mystery. Did the girl die of the flu? Is she still alive? Did she lose the people she loved?

Meanwhile, Sadie's stepmom is pregnant, and since her mom died in childbearing, Sadie is afraid.

Palace Beautiful is...well, beautiful. It's a tale of mystery, history, friendship, death, family relationships, and growing up. The best part is this...the characters. Every character is so well-developed that you feel like you are their friend. I particularly got a kick out of Sadie's dramatic friend, Belladona Desolation, known as Bella. I also enjoyed Sadie's unusual color descriptions.

In full disclosure, Sarah Williams is a friend of mine. I actually did some critiquing for her on this story. That said, I know I didn't just love this book because I love Sarah. It. Is. Amazing. (Go Sarah!!!)

I recommend it for kids and up who know where babies come from (or who you're ready to have that talk with), because Sadie makes mention about how embarrassed she was when she found out where babies came from. There is also a little bit of romance. A very little bit, but Bella does kiss a neighbor boy.

People who enjoyed Shug by Jenny Han or A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban are sure to like Palace Beautiful.

Book Review: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

** Please read the comments on this post before deciding if the book is right for you. **

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Review by Ambrosia from Making the Moments Count

Written in a similar style as Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters, I am a forever fan of Diane Setterfield. Vida Winters, a well-known writer, has masked herself with a cloak of secrecy. Keeping her identity and past well hidden, her secrets would die with her, if she wished. However, toward the end of her life she decides to divulge her past to Margaret Lea, a biographer.

Margaret Lea enters the troubled history of Vida Winters. As the truth of her life unfolds, Margaret discovers the truth in her own troubled past.

Diane Setterfield is a phenomenal writer. Her characters are vivacious and realistic. Her training as an English professor is evident in her eloquent writing. I began and finished this book within a couple of days. I must admit, I was most disappointed that I did not have more Setterfield books to devour.

The Thirteenth tale revitalized my interest in reading and kindled that passion that had long since died away.

**Edited to add: The disturbing aspects of Thirteenth Tale include incestuous innuendos between a brother and sister, as well as hints toward a psychologically inappropriate twin relationship. To clarify, there is no descriptions, just hints. These work together to make the book rather uncomfortable for those who are sensitive.**

The Companion by Ann Granger

The Companion by Ann Granger

Review by Cindy Bohn of Digging Up Bohns

Lizzie Martin arrives in London for the first time. As her cabdriver takes her to her new address, they pass a body covered with a shroud. The body turns out to belong to Madeline Hexham, whom Lizzie is replacing as paid companion. Lizzie can't help wondering about Madeline and who could have wanted her dead.

I enjoyed this one. There was some great background about coal mining and life among the working class. Lizzie and the police inspector, Ben Ross, were strong characters.

I have heard that this is the first in a series, with a little hint of romance to come.

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King

Review by Elizabeth Marsh

Each fantastic storyline starts with a basic “what if” question. What if … Peter Pan grew up? What if … children of feuding families fell in love? What if … Sherlock Holmes really existed? What would he do after he retired? Can you really picture the best deductive mind in history raising bees? Laurie R. King’s first Beekeeper novel addresses these questions from the eyes of his accidental apprentice, fifteen-year-old Mary Russell, an orphaned, English-American who happens to (quite literally) bump into Holmes shortly after arriving in England.
Holmes takes the orphaned Russell under his wing, teaching her the art of analytical thinking and preparing her for whatever may come. Unfortunately, what comes is a ghost from Holmes' past, and one that he may no longer be able to defeat ... with or without the assistance of his new apprentice.

As an avid fan of anything Sherlock Holmes, I’m shocked it took me so long to find this book. King is a masterful author, fully immersing the reader in the world of Russell and Holmes, while injecting new life into a classic character—without changing the essence of Holmes. She even pokes fun at the Doyle novels through Holmes’ disparaging remarks as to their publication. Thrilling, suspenseful, and good-humored, this has quickly become one of my favorites. Be warned, this is the first in a series of nine. I was reluctant to read the second book, fearing that it couldn’t measure up to the first, but I was pleasantly surprised. What’s more, these books are shockingly clean – something that is becoming more of a rarity than one would suppose.

Dearly Depotted by Kate Collins

Before I post today's review, I need to ask a very important question. Have you read any good clean books lately? I have one or two to review myself, but I am completely out of reader reviews...and, you know, I don't read two to three books a week that end up being clean, so I really rely on YOUR reviews. (Thank goodness Cindy has sent some since the blog move.)

Please email me your reviews (or any questions). And now, for the main event...


Dearly Depotted by Kate Collins


Review by Cindy Bohn of Digging Up Bohns





Abby's neurotic cousin, Jillian, is finally getting married and Abby has agreed to do the flowers and be a bridesmaid. She wasn't counting on dead bodies. But when the groom's grandmother discovers one under a table, Abby jumps in to investigate. The police already have a suspect - her friend's new boyfriend. But Abby thinks they are too quick to draw conclusions. Oh, and what's going on with her hottie escort?





This is the third in a fun series. I enjoyed this one and the others, but I just don't enjoy books like this as much as I used to. The idea of a amateur detective gets a little hard to believe after a while. And why can't she figure out what's going on with Marco? This is the third book and there's been an attraction between them the whole time. Then she FALLS ASLEEP when she finally gets to spend an evening alone with him? What's up with that? I'm all for taking things slow, but she hasn't even decided if they are dating or not. How long is that going to take?





If you like cozy mysteries, this is a fun series. There is a little bit of language, but it's otherwise clean. I like the characters, although Jillian is a bit much, and there's not this shove-it-down-your-throat thing that a lot of the 'theme cozies' seem to have. Yes, she's a florist, but it's not a DIY book for aspiring green thumbs. For myself, I would probably read another in the series if I got the chance, but I'm not going to go out and look for one.

The Thirteenth Skull by Rick Yancey

The Thirteenth Skull by Rick Yancey

Review by Cindy of Diggin Up Bohns

After saving the world from complete destruction twice, you'd think Alfred could get a chance to sit back and relax for a bit. Nope. This book takes up just minutes after The Seal of Solomon ends, and it's back into the fray for Alfred.

If you haven't heard of this series (and it seems to be a well kept secret), you are missing out. Alfred is an unlikely hero. He's a pretty normal guy. But he finds him self over and over again in extraordinary situations.

I don't want to say too much here, in case you haven't read the first two, but I will say that several characters are back. The most frightening this time around, though, is Special Operative Nueve, a complete psychopath who is either Alfred's only hope or his worst nightmare.

I love this series! Alfred is such a great character. I think what makes him so appealing is that he has absolute certainty that he really is no one special. But he's the only one who can do what he does. He makes the right choice, again and again, even if that is a tough choice for himself. He never fails. That's what I love about him.

Highly recommended. However, this is a violent series, with lots of religious references, but it would be great for most teens. Plenty of action, no real language, and a great hero.

Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie

Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie

Review by Cindy Bohn of Diggin Up Bohns

Superintendent Spence is retiring, and he is justly proud of his record. He has never hung an innocent man - until now. Although the evidence seems solid enough and there are no other suspects, Spence just can't convince himself that meek James Bentley murdered his landlady. But he is called off on another case, so he turns to an old friend - Hercule Poirot.

Poirot is more than willing to look into the murder. He is not finding retirement as congenial as he thought he would and he is convinced by the case Spence makes. But time is against him and he must rush to get to the bottom of this murder.

Fortunately, Ariadne Oliver is also on the scene, and she unearths several helpful clues for Poirot. The case is soon wrapped up in the fate of four women, each involved in a murder committed many years ago. Mrs. McGinty knew something about one of those cases. But which one?

I enjoyed this story. Mrs. Oliver is always a fun character. But it's Poirot I want to read about, and this book was a solid example of the great detective at work.

Withering Heights by Dorothy Cannell

Withering Heights by Dorothy Cannell

Review by Cindy Bohn of Digging up Bohns

Ellie Haskell has shipped the kids off to their grandparents and is looking forward to a little private romantic time with her husband, but things rapidly take another turn. She and Ben have a tiff, her cleaning lady Mrs. Malloy has a feud to resolve, and a stray cousin shows up expecting help.

It seems that Ben's cousin has won the lottery and bought an old historic home complete with a mystery. Ariel, the cousin's daughter, is convinced FOUL PLAY is at work and needs Ellie to come and hold her hand. Oh, and Mrs. Malloy's long lost sister just happens to live in the same village. So it's off to Yorkshire they go, Ben, Ellie, Ariel, and Mrs. Malloy.

I love the screwball humor that Dorothy Cannell always works into her books, and Ellie and Mrs. Malloy make a very funny combination. This book is no exception, with a seance, garden party, an old flame, and various other plot twists thrown in. But it wasn't quite as good as some of the previous efforts. The ending was a bit of a disappointment, and I guessed 'whoddunit' about halfway through. Fun, but not her best. If this series sounds like one you would enjoy, start with the first book, The Thin Woman. All of her books are largely free from bad language, have only mild comical violence, and are very funny.

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Uprising. Simon and Schuster, 2007. 346 pp. Historical fiction.

Review by Lina

On March 25, 1911, a devastating fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City left 146 people dead, the majority of them young immigrant girls who were employed at the factory. In the years immediately preceding the fire, Triangle had been embroiled in a labor dispute that sent many of its workers out on strike in an attempt to unionize the shop. Among the strikers’ concerns were low wages, long hours, poor working conditions, and safety issues. Although Triangle and other companies eventually settled, violations continued. The fire encompassed three floors of the building and left many people trapped when stairwell doors were locked (the company’s way to ensure workers did not leave early) and the one fire escape proved to be defective. The tragedy of the Triangle fire lead to new safety regulations and enforcement of those regulations.

Uprising tells the story of two immigrant girls, Bella and Yetta, who worked at the factory and their friend Jane. Yetta, who came to New York from Russia with the plan to make enough money to send for her parents, is determined to improve working conditions at all costs, even her own happiness. She steadfastly pickets during the strike and is unhappy when the union settles for less than she wants. Able to see the whole picture, Yetta is also concerned about women’s rights and suffrage. She worries about safety conditions at Triangle. Bella, a poor girl from Italy who comes to the United States determined to send money home to support her widowed mother and younger siblings, is at a disadvantage not knowing English and being ignorant of the issues at hand. But she learns quickly and picks herself up following a family tragedy, determined to make a brighter future for herself. Jane is the daughter of a wealthy businessman, a socialite who yearns to go to college and do something important with her life. She leaves home to work as a governess and live in a tenement rather than be supported by her father’s money, money that she considers to be tainted and evil when she learns that in the past he had hired strikebreakers.

Uprising does a good job of telling the story of the famous Triangle fire as well as showing the working and social conditions prevalent at the time. Readers, particularly young readers, will find it hard to imagine living in the way that the girls did and not only surviving but thriving. Readers will assume they know which of the girls is the mysterious “Mrs. Livingston” first introduced in the beginning of the book but will be surprised when they learn her true identity. Recommended for age 12 and up.

Peeled by Joan Bauer

Bauer, Joan. Peeled. New York: Putnam, 2008. 247 pp.

Review by Lina Crowell

Do you like a mystery? Strange stories have been circulating about the old Ludlow house in the small farming community of Banesville, NY. People say the ghost of the last owner, mean-spirited in life and even more so in death, is haunting the place, causing harm and even death to people who dare to visit the house. It doesn’t help matters any that the local newspaper, The Bee, is helping to spread the rumors. Hildy Biddle, top reporter for the high school newspaper, The Core, and daughter of a journalist, is skeptical of the stories about the “haunted” house.

Together with the staff of The Core, Hildy determines to get to the bottom of the stories and find out what is really going on. When Hildy and her friends come a little too close to the truth, the owner of The Bee threatens to sue the school unless The Core is shut down. Undaunted, the staff of The Core goes underground, supported by several townspeople and meeting in the back room of a local café, to publish a new community newsletter, The Peel, distributing it at local businesses to get out the truth.

Peeled is the story of what can happen when people come together to stand up for what’s right. Teenage Hildy is a strong female protagonist supported by a cast of interesting, well-written characters. Recommended for age 12 and up.

A Murder for her Majesty by Beth Hilgartner

A Murder for her Majesty by Beth Hilgartner (Houghton Mifflin Company, New York: New York, 1986)
Historical Fiction/Mystery

Review by Gamila from Gamila's Review


This historical fiction set in Elizabethan England begins with the main character headed toward the city of York to find help from Lady Jenny. Alice Tuckfield has just witnessed two men kill her father in the woods, and is trying to find someplace safe. Near the point of exhaustion, she runs into a boy on the streets of York, who he offers her something to eat. He offers to let her stay the night in their boarding house without the mistress knowing. They hide her in an upstairs closet. The boarding house is full of boys that sing in the church choir.
The boys plan a scheme to see how long they can hide her in the boys choir without Master Frost, the director noticing that she is a girl. They turn Alice into a boy and continue to let her hide in the upstairs closet. Alice realizes that she is in danger when she hears voices talking in the cathedral late at night. They are talking about her, and how they can't find her. They are the murderers of her father and a priest, Father Cooper, is working with them. Alice doesn't know what to do, but she is safe pretending to be a choirboy, but that might change if Father Cooper keeps snooping.
This is a really charming book and a very engaging read. The setting in York is extremely fun. The description of the choirboy's life is fascinating and the historical setting is flawlessly seamed into the story. The author is excellent at characterization. I loved Masters Frost and Kenton just as much as I loved Alice. The boys were fun-loving and playful characters that made Alice's life so interesting and much more exciting. This really is a delightful clean read.

Iris, Messenger by Sarah Deming

Deming, Sarah. 2007. Iris, Messenger.

Review by Becky Laney, frequent contributor.

Becky's Book Reviews: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/
Becky's Christian Reviews: http://stand-firm-then.blogspot.com/
Reading With Becky: http://readingwithbecky.blogspot.com/

The main difference between school and prison is that prisons release you early for good behavior. School lasts about thirteen years no matter how good you are. Also, prison has better food. (1)

When Iris Greenwold turns twelve and receives a copy of Bulfinch's mythology, her world changes dramatically. Imagine going from black and white to technicolor. Clue #1? The book was delivered by a strange boy on a skateboard. (Not your typical UPS or mail man.) Clue #2? The book has a strange and mysterious note. To Iris, on the occasion of her twelfth birthday. Knowledge is power and then Didn't you ever wonder, Iris, what happens to gods when people stop worshipping them? Where do they go? What do they do? (11, 13).

Iris attends Erebus Middle School, a place where the teachers are weird and the punishments cruel and unusual. And while typically Iris is a bit of a dreamer--always on the verge of getting detention, she is still your average middle schooler. But Iris is about to witness the incredible as she discovers the wonderfully awful truth about herself. The Greek gods and goddesses? Not dead. The gods and goddesses are alive and living in a small town in Pennsylvania... Sad and prone to melancholy, yes. But far from dead. Her brief encounters with each god and goddess is an opportunity to listen, to learn, to appreciate the stories in a whole new way. For example, Apollo, he's a jazz musician. The loss of his son, Phaethon, has him singing the blues. Well, acting as muse as Iris makes her unexpected debut on stage. Each story is unique. And Deming gets the voices of these gods and goddesses just right.

Iris is a great heroine. She's a daydreamer. She may not have a lot of friends her own age, but she has her own unique way of seeing the world, and a gift for listening and understanding. Deming's writing style is charming and enjoyable through and through. There are so many great lines--observations that ring so true--but I don't want to spoil the plot by quoting them here. (You're just going to have to trust me on this one!)I really loved this one and I am very happy that Sarah Deming agreed to be interviewed! My interview is here. I think you will enjoy it as she sheds light on Iris, Messenger. So be sure to come and read it!

Ever Present Danger by Kathy Herman

Ever Present Danger by Kathy Herman

Review by Amanda Snow, regular contributor

A Patchwork of Books

Kathy Herman is an excellent author of Christian suspense and Ever Present Danger, the first installment in the new Phantom Hollow series, is no exception. It is a story of family, love, and the difficult path to escaping one's past.

Ivy Griffith made some horrible decisions in her life. When she was a teenager, she and her friends chose to do something that would have her living in fear and guilt for most of her life. Ivy ultimately runs away from her home and her parents, turning to drugs to ease her pain. When she returns to Phantom Hollow, many years later with her seven year old son, Montana, and a clean lifestyle, she is determined to set things straight with the people she has hurt over the years. Unfortunately, before she can bravely clear herself of her guilt, a tragedy strikes at her high school reunion, setting in motion the ultimate mystery.

Kathy Herman has this way about her, in which she can create characters that her reader can connect to, but spinning those characters into thrills and mysteries like no other. She also weaves great Christian values and Scripture into the stories, without being "preachy." I really love that most of her books are parts of series, that way I can keep up with the characters and still gets the thrills I love! If you've never tried Kathy Herman, I definitely recommend you giving it a try!

The Awakening by Angela Hunt

THE AWAKENING by Angela Hunt

Review by Allana, regular contributor.

In The Awakening by Angela Hunt, Aurora Rose Norquest is a reclusive and incredibly naive 35 year old. After taking care of her mother for years, Aurora doesn't know what to do with her life after her mother's death. Fearing everything around her, horrifying nightmares plague her every night. They reenact startling memories from Aurora's past. This book is written beautifully. It is a fantastic read; and touches on many topics that in today's time, should be brought to light.

After her mother's death, Aurora is trying to branch out and become part of the world. She is taking small steps to change. Feeling like she has no purpose in life, Aurora must find a way to live again. With the help of a new neighbor, a woman named Clara, and a doorman; Aurora just may find her strength.

I loved The Awakening By: Angela Hunt, and I hope you will too!

Suggested Age Group: Adult

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John.

Making a virtual journey to another place and being held captive throughout the duration of the story is one of the great discoveries of reading. Learning that people in other places struggle with the same issues is an important concept for young readers to understand. In The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John, 11-year old Martine Allen's life changes dramatically on her birthday night. Martine loses her parents in a tragic accident and must move to Africa to live with a grandmother she's never heard of. Her grandmother manages a game preserve. Transplanted into an exotic locale with a grandmother who seems put out by her very existence makes Martine feel alone and afraid. Almost as soon as she arrives, Martine begins to hear tales of a "mythical" white giraffe, and she stumbles upon some clues about her grandfather's death two years before. Readers will identify with Martine's struggles to make friends in a new school in a new country where everything is different from "home". The wild animals and their habitat on the reserve, their need for protection against predators (mostly the two-legged kind), and the growing awareness that things are not always as they appear make for a good adventure story. Martine comes to find her place in this new world, helps solve a mystery, and learns to accept her special gifts.

First-time novelist Lauren St. John grew up in Zimbabwe on a farm that was part game preserve. Her love for the landscape and the people is evident throughout the book and she clearly identifies with Martine's quest to find a home in this new strange land.
ISBN978-0-8037-3211-7. Dial Books for Young Readers.





Review by Annie Teich, guest reviewer.


http://crazy4kidsbooks.blogspot.com/


http://www.newdaypublishing.net/

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

Wilson, N.D. 2007. Leepike Ridge.

Let me just say this right up front. It had me at hello. Seriously. Could there be a better first sentence?

In the history of the world there have been lots of onces and lots of times, and every time has had a once upon it.

But it continues.

Most people will tell you that the once upon a time happened in a land far, far away, but it really depends on where you are. The once upon a time may have been just outside your back door. It may have been beneath your very feet. It might not have been in a land at all but deep in the sea's belly or bobbing around on its beck.

Does this book not cry out to be read?

Thomas Hammond is an eleven-year-old boy who is about to take part in a very exciting, very dangerous accidental adventure. When he goes on his night-time stroll, he never expected this to happen. What is the this? Well, let's just say that his idea to float on a foam "raft" from the refrigerator packaging was not his brightest or his best. He was upset. He was bored. And I suppose a part of him did want to get away from it all. After all, who wants their mom to get remarried to a guy like Jeffrey Veatch...but he wasn't trying to run away, and he certainly wasn't planning on almost drowning...and getting lost in an underground cave in the mountains. But what's done can't be undone. You can't wake up and have it all be a dream--a bad dream--though Tom certainly tries. Leepike Ridge is an exciting mystery, a survival novel. One that will keep you hooked until the very last page.

Yes, I loved, loved, loved this one. I loved the style. I loved the characters. I loved the pacing. I will definitely be recommending this one over and over again.

Review by Becky, frequent contributor
Becky's Book Reviews: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/
Becky's Christian Reviews: http://stand-firm-then.blogspot.com/
Reading With Becky: http://readingwithbecky.blogspot.com/

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Stewart, Trenton Lee. 2007. The Mysterious Benedict Society. 485 pages.

Loneliness. Anger. Frustration. Fear. Anxiety. Doubt. Feelings common to both children and adults. What if there was a way to eliminate fear and anxiety? What if there was a way to make everyone happy and content all the time? No worries. No problems. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? Meet Reynie Muldoon. Kate Wetherall. George "Sticky" Washington. Constance Contraire. These four kids make up the Mysterious Secret Benedict Society. They've been recruited by Mr. Benedict to infiltrate the elite school. The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. L.I.V.E. for short. (Yes, spelled backwards it reads EVIL.) As a team, they must work as secret agents and uncover the evil plots of one Mr. Curtain. Mr. Curtain has an evil scheme to rule the world, and it involves using children as pawns. It will take bravery, teamwork, and determination to succeed. Do these children have what it takes to save the world?

The Mysterious Benedict Society is not the first book of the year to feature an elite, secretive school for geniuses. But it is the first that I actually liked reading. What I liked best about the book was the writing. The style of it. The phrasing. It had a certain uniqueness about it that was just enjoyable through and through. Here are two of my favorite parts:

The first scene I'm sharing is of a classroom of students taking a test. The second test to see if they qualify for this "unique" education.

The first child to receive one was a tough-looking boy in a baseball cap who eagerly grabbed it, looked at the first question, and burst into tears. The girl behind him looked at her test, rubbed her eyes as if they weren't working properly, then looked again. Her head wobbled on her neck."If you begin to feel faint," said the pencil woman, moving on to the next child, "place your head between your knees and take deep breaths. If you think you may vomit, please come to the front of the room, where a trash can will be provided." Down the row she went, distributing the tests. The crying boy had begun flipping through the test now--there appeared to be several pages--and with each new page his sobs grew louder and more desperate. When he reached the end, he began to wail. "I'm afraid loud weeping isn't permitted," said the pencil woman. "Please leave the room." The boy, greatly relieved, leaped from his desk and raced to the door, followed at once by two other children who hadn't received the test yet but were terrified now to see it. The pencil woman closed the door. "If any others flee the room in panic or dismay," she said sternly, "please remember to close the door behind you. Your sobs may disturb the other test-takers." She continued handing out the test. Child after child received it with trembling fingers, and child after child, upon looking at the questions, turned pale, or red, or a subtle shade of green.(21)

Who hasn't in their life felt some panic and anxiety about taking a test? Anyway, I just thought these were very unique instructions to give for a test.

This second passage is after the main characters arrive at the school. These are the non-rules rules they're given. You can wear whatever you want, just so long as you have on trousers, shoes, and a shirt. You can bathe as often as you like or not at all, provided you're clean every day in class. You can eat whatever and whenever you want, so long as it's during meal hours in the cafeteria. You're allowed to keep the lights on in your rooms as late as you wish until ten o'clock each night. And you can go wherever you want around the Institute, so long as you keep to the paths and the yellow-tiled corridors. (171)

Becky's Book Reviews: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/

Becky's Christian Reviews: http://stand-firm-then.blogspot.com/

Review by Becky L., our star contributor.

Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Well, I did it. I've read every fiction title on my Spring Reading Thing lists. I saved the best for last.
I really didn't want to read "Key Lime Pie Murder". It is at least a year between releases from Joanne Fluke, and every novel is so much fun to read. But ya gotta break down and do the hard stuff sometimes:-)
I love Joanne because she totally eliminates the "ick" factor from her fiction. I've read every Hannah Swenson novel, and found nothing offensive in any story. Hannah sleeps alone--well, except for Moishe, her cat--drinks an occasional glass of white wine, and runs her own bakery called the Cookie Jar.
The town has that Mayberry feel...except for all of the murders. But one per year isn't bad, is it?? I mean, Hannah only discovers a body per book, so I suppose that is a low crime rate. And her brother in law heads the law enforcement, so she would know all that stuff, right?
Each story is packed with lovable characters, but be warned: if they only appear once or twice, don't get too attached! And your favorite person might be accused of murder. But don't worry; Hannah's always on the case.
Between inventing delicious cookie recipes and other desserts for the reader to try, she accidentally sleuths and uncovers clues that the professionals miss. Her oldest sister Andrea usually bumbles along with her, as well as Lisa, co-owner of The Cookie Jar. And mom Delores usually has to put her opinions in as well.
Each book is full of recipes as well, written as if Hannah herself is guiding you through the cookie/dessert process. Every novel has been a fun read, with maybe the exception of Sugar Cookie Murder, but that was only because it was too short!!
If you love cozy mysteries, but hate what I call the "ick" factor, no worries with Hannah Swenson and Joanne Fluke. These ladies run a clean operation that always promises some good reading hours. I'm emailing her to put together a recipe book...don't want to get flour on my story, but I've gotta try some of these recipes~!!
"Key Lime Pie Murder" gets four bookmarks from me, with a chocolate chip cookie charm. I look forward to the anthology from Joanne and friends due out September 2007!
Happy Reading!

Review by Deena

deenasbooks.blogspot.com