The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

I found out about this book on twitter. After checking out the author's website and reading some various blog posts about the book I was curious enough to purchase the book. Tweens are going to adore it. Jess is the new girl in town and is being bullied by Lexy after beating out Lexy for the cheer team. Jess is invited into The Cinderella Society and joins a large group of girls who learn to wield their girl power by stopping the Wickeds (mean girls) from bullying the Reggie (regulars). Jess has a crush on Ryan who just happens to be Lexy's brother. I love the relationship between Ryan and Jess as they navigate their feelings and each tries to deal with their personal issues. This books proves that girls are strong and can make a difference in the world. And now we wait a year for the sequel.

WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED by Judy Blundell

What started off as a slow read turned out to be a book I couldn't put down. The year is 1947 and 15 year-old Evie's stepdad Joe has returned from the war. Joe takes Evie and her mom Bev on their first vacation to Palm Beach Florida. It is late summer and the off season so there are not many people in their hotel. However they spend a lot of time with another couple, the Graysons, and Peter, a GI that knows Joe from the war. Evie believes she is in love with Peter. Joe agrees to go into business with Mr. Grayson. Mrs. Grayson disappears every day for a few hours. Bev takes golf lessons and spends a lot of time with Evie and Peter while Joe and Mr. Grayson are out. The Graysons are asked to leave Palm Beach on a sour note and Peter, Joe and Bev go on a boat ride just as a hurricane is blowing in and only two of them arrive back safely. There is a lot of historical fiction (see below.) There is also mystery, romance and tender moments between mother and daughter. However, we learn that not everything looks as we see it and the last part of the book was like putting pieces of a puzzle back together. Highly recommended for young adults and adults.



Spoiler alert:

I did not know that Jews were not allowed in Palm Beach when this story takes place. Instead they went to Miami. I found this fact shocking considering how many Jewish people I know that have moved or relocated to Palm Beach.

Students--anyone out there?

How is spring break going for you? What are you reading? I finished THE MAZE RUNNER and THE DAUGHTERS and I really need to go to the library to get some more books.

RICK RIORDAN article

Here's a link to an article about Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson, THE RED PYRAMID and more.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/454853-Rick_Riordan_s_Big_Year.php?nid=2788&rid=#reg_visitor_id%23&source=link

THE DAUGHTERS by Joanne Philbin

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the child of a celebrity? The daughters in this book are just that, living in Manhattan and growing up in the spotlight. It's not unusual for the paparazzi to follow their every move and Lizzie even has an interview published on you-tube! This book focuses on Lizzie and I'm guessing the next book will focus on one of the other two, either Carina or Hudson. Lizzie's mom is a supermodel and is quite beautiful and Lizzie has always considered herself not pretty and more of her father's daughter. However when she is discovered by a photographer who searches for a different kind of beauty Lizzie's life changes.
She also is reunited with a childhood friend (Todd) and struggles with feelings towards him. This book is perfect for tweens or young teens looking for romance or contemporary fiction.