Young Adult Books

Amazing historical account of an amazing era. This book changed the way I look at life, it has that kind of effect. I discovered an admiration of the Shawnees and Tecumseh that I share with many. I have recommended this books to dozens of people and they all thank me when they are done.

a shooting star in the sky heralded a Shawnee baby with greatness..this baby would grow up to be Tecumseh. The Shawnee leader who had visions of his race being wiped out by the coming of the white man, he knew that survival depended upon all the Indian tribes pulling their resources together and he also knew that their survival depended upon moving beyond their savagery if they were to be accepted. Tecumseh was able to do the first but not the second and that would be their downfall as the savagery so inflamed the 'newcomers' their extinction was the only response that could be accepted. This was one of the most memorable characters and books that I've ever read.

A great read!! Really will hold your attention. I read it in a weekend.

I liked the book. I did not find it as 'gripping' as some of the other Thom works, but it was still a good read. A little long and sometimes slow and repetitive, but worth reading.

This novel is about the life and works of Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief who was at the center of Indian resistance to American expansion from the 1790s until the War of 1812.

Like other great Indian leaders before him (Pontiac, Joseph Brandt) and after (Crazy Horse), Tecumseh dreamed of uniting the Indian tribes and throwing back the white encroachment, carving out the space for the Indians to continue to practice their traditional way of life. He had many obstacles to overcome, not all of which were caused by the whites. In general, Indian societies were plagued by short-term thinking and an inability to grasp the big picture of what was really happening to their world. A number of Indian leaders were great tacticians, scoring big victories and then scattering while the whites regrouped and came relentlessly on. Only a few leaders were able to think strategically enough to actually slow the white advance. Tecumseh was one of these military geniuses.

The novel works as history, but it also works as a great story. Thom creates a sense of grief and regret about the loss of the Indians' world, but he doesn't whitewash the Indians. Tecumseh's brother, The Prophet, is depicted as a charlatan, and there are some brutal scenes of the torture that the Indians inflicted on their white captives. This low and cowardly behavior is a source of great despair for Tecumseh, who wants to elevate his people to a higher spiritual plane.

In a few spots in the book, Tecumseh appears too good to be true. I had a hard time believing that his goodness would have caused his arch-enemy, William Henry Harrison, to question the righteousness of his own cause. But overall the character of Tecumseh comes off as admirable but very human as he wrestles with spiritual questions, doubts, and vulnerabilites.

This book is so great, that I can't even explain it! It is full of suspense and HORROR!!! I have read many more of this series and hope to someday have read them all! I would reccomend this book to anyone who loves reading and horror stories! HORROR!!!

Prom Queens are dying 1 by 1 and Lizzy is determined to find out. This book is highly recommended. If u don't believe me then check the other reviews.

There are five prom queen candidates for the Shadyside High senior prom. One of them gets kidnapped and then another one gets murdered. Lizzy McVay, one of the prom queen candidates, realizes someone wants all the prom queens dead. Now she must find the murderer before she's next to die.

All I can say is "wow." What a great book! There are so many suspects in this book that it's almost impossible to guess who it is. I could've sworn it was that guy but it was actually someone else. Trust me, you'll never be able to guess the murderer.

If you read this book, expect the murderer to be who you least suspect.

Lizzy is so excited because she is one of the Prom Queens. Then, the prom queens start dying. Stacy, a candidate was found in the Fear Street Woods by a hiker and was stabbed sixteen times. Rachel and Elana were murdered because they were going out with the killer's boyfriend. [Right, it's a girl]. Before Rachel died, Gideon[his boyfriend] dumped her. Rachel's parents were out for ice cream so the killer took the chance to kill her. Elana was murdered in school. She was at the auditiorium. In the end, Dawn[Lizzy's friend] almost died because of the killer but because of Lizzy, she lived.

Looking for a four star book that will keep you from sleeping.The Prom Queen will do just that. Shadyside High is having a prom. There has been five girls elected to be prom queen. They were all excited until sudden deaths of spome of the prom queens occured. Now none of the remaining girls are exicited. They're all taking precautions, Which girl will live long enought to be prom queen i cant say but the end is shoking.
This book has an uncalled for end and each chapter leaves you in suspense. "A spring night...soft moonlight....five beautiful Prom Queen canidates, dancing couples at the Shadyside High prom. These should be the ingredients for romance.But stir in one brutal murder then another and another and the recipe quikly turns to horror" This book is all horror and fright with a twisted ending. With everypage turn you'll widh you were in your room with all the lights on and you mommy holding you close. read this book and be glad you dont live on Fear Street.

A compelling read about a young nurse in Viet Nam, her experiences there, and then what happens when she returns home. A lot of the character development happens in the two central relationships of the book -- with Major Doyle (her head nurse) and soldier Michael, both wounded in their own ways, psychological and physical. Ellen Emerson White writes about recovery from trauma in another series too, the President's Daughter series, and the process is completely gripping and involving to the reader.

Twenty-one-year-old nurse Rebecca Phillips has fled a wealthy Bostonian upbringing fraught with issues and essentially exchanged it for a different type of hell --- a field hospital for wounded American soldiers in Vietnam. She works 16-hour days in the chaos of horrific amputations, burns and other casualties, and must often make the call between life and death...something that continues to haunt her day after day.

In a very short time, her co-workers cease to be merely people working with her toward a common goal. Rebecca finds a source of inspiration and friendship in her seemingly perfect direct supervisor, Major Maggie Doyle, and comic relief in Wolf and Spike, two young pilots. At the same time, Rebecca's bonds make her feel the pain all the more intensely when she learns more about the difficult past that led Major Doyle to the Army, and when tragedy befalls Wolf and Spike -- and herself.

But with tragedy often comes some joy, however small and imperceptible it may at first seem. In the most unlikely circumstances, Rebecca meets Michael Jennings, a 19-year-old private who seems instantly infatuated with her. She grudgingly agrees to exchange addresses, and before long, Michael's heartfelt accounts of his thoughts, dreams and daily experiences in the jungle have made her fall in love with him.

When tragedy again strikes, separating Rebecca and Michael not long before her yearlong tour is up, she feels as though she cannot go on. The past year of grief, horror, physical and emotional pain finally combine in a way where Rebecca believes she cannot fit into regular American life ever again. It's at her lowest that Rebecca shows just how strong she can be, and how while she could not control so many other things in her life, she can shape her own destiny.

A Review by Jordan

Rebecca Phillips runs away to serve in the military during the Vietnam War as a nurse. While serving in an American hospital in Vietnam she witnesses every atrocity imaginable, the suffering of dear friends and loved ones. Rebecca herself is suffering from an unbearable guilt of a certain event (for the reader to find out) that has changed her once cheery, friendly disposition into a depressed, miserable person that no one wants to be around. This is a story of a young woman who shuts herself out from the world, and her remarkable journey back.

This novel was extremely well written. The author displays true talent. She creates a realistic world with individual characters who are each separately distinguished by there unique character qualities, ways of life, and linguistic styles. I wouldn't say that it is fast past, but that doesn't make it bad. It keeps the reader interested, constantly revealing new information of Rebecca's mysterious, current situation.

I definitely recommend this book. Anyone would probably enjoy it, but especially women (though it isn't a chick book). However, it does have an advanced vocabulary. And there is some foul language that may not be suitable for young readers.

I read this about a year ago. I am very interested in reading historical fiction, particularly concerning the Vietnam War. I read this book before any others in the Echo Company series, simply because it was the only one at the book store, and I just happened to pick it up. I think that it is a good continuation of the series, and, while I would have liked to learn more about what happened to certain characters when they got back to "the world", I think that this book does a good job of finishing everything up. As a teen who generally dislikes the formulaic teen novels that crowd the shelves of bookstores, I think that this is a great book. I only wish that more people would read it.

One day, about a year ago I, a young seventh grader was browsing in the young adult section and couldn't find any new interesting books or ones I wanted to read that I hadn't already read, so I picked up The Road Home
Since that day I have read this book about a million times. I had my dad buy a used copy from a far off state, and every time we go one a trip I bring it along. I love this book and I don't believe that I once lived without it.
Rebecca, the heroine, is a young nurse who went to Vietnam and served her country. This book has an anti-war theme, but it defends the veterans and exposes their persecution.
Possibly the most enjoyable part for me was to read someone's writing whose humor so perfectly matched mine. I love it.I believe that while some swear words and other may be unappropriate for too young of readers, this book is perfect for anyone aged twelve to aged 120. This book combines the key elements, in my mind, of history, adventure, wit, humor, and romance.
I've read this book so many times that I've almost memorized it. Please try it and tell your friends. This book is too good to be thrown out of libraries. Read it!!!

Amazingly, I actually liked Miss Marple in this story. She's the likeable, feisty woman I remember from my childhood, not the snooty, condescending know-it-all from the last few books I've read. Still, I think the plot of this one is a little over-reaching, but it a faster paced mystery than most of the Marples - especially the ending. And even though it's on the short side, you still get a good sense of the characters and setting, and nearly enough details to solve the mystery yourself, if you're so inclined.

A must-read for any old-school mystery enthusiast, and one of the better Marples I've read of late (though Poirot is still better in my book!).

really scary. In some ways a refreshing break from the usual formulaic mystery. Very creepy. Great.

This is a typical Agatha Christie book - a combination of mystery & suspense, along with the "I-can't-put-this-book-down" feeling.
I recommend this book to all Agatha Christie fans!

It was a nice mystery, but it didn't stick in my head long after I was finished with it. In fact, I had to review the plot again to write this review! That says something, because I have a good memory for books that really draw me in. However, I would recommend this book for any Christie fan.

Agatha Christie is well deserving of the title, the First Lady of Mystery. "Sleeping Murder", which is Miss Marple's last case, further enhances the rare distinction placed upon its author. It is a fast-paced exhilarating mystery that digs deep into the past to uncover a ghost that at least one person did not want uncovered.

When Gwenda Reed arrives in England, as a newlywed separated from her husband, her task is to search for the perfect house along the southern coast. Before too long, she finds exactly the right place that soon feels a little too much like home. When some strange coincidences leave Gwenda feeling as if she were going crazy, she discovers that she actually lived in the house when she was a very little girl, and was an eyewitness to a grizzly murder that no one seems to know anything about. Against better judgment, she and her husband Giles take it upon themselves to dig up the past to discover if Gwenda's father was at fault, and if Gwenda actually witnessed a murder, or just dreamed it up.

The title "Sleeping Murder" refers to a murder in retrospect, or a murder that seems to be dead but was merely sleeping. With Miss Marple on hand with ready help and suggestions, the Reeds soon uncover the truth, but with many a twist and turn along the way. "Sleeping Murder" has all of the elements that make Christie's mysteries such a marvel to read, even if the conclusion comes a bit quickly after an elaborate buildup.

This book left me raw. As a High School guidance counselor, I would like to believe that I would know how to help a teenager in this situation. I keep reading literature about kids in trouble to make sure I keep these issues- rape, abuse, loss, death, betrayal, and molestation in my head enough so that hopefully I recognize it when I see it and am able to help. This book is so compelling--Even though I was tired when I picked it up, I read the whole thing in one sitting. I'm not sure it helps me understand how to help--- but it does remind me that these issues are all around us-- and often times those people who have developed strategies to keep people at bay are the very ones that need our help and compassion the most. I will keep this visible on my book shelf--ready to pass on to the right kid.

I actually listened to the book on tape and found that I did not want to stop listening to it. I kept staying in my car to listen to more of it!

All I have to say is that I have finished this book and I find myself just reading the reviews here to get more of the book.

Definitely recommended for a mature audience. Her story is psychologically accurate for a girl in this situation. I recommend this book to everyone.

This book is very good and though provoking. It will make you feel afraid for Merideth

this book caught and held me on the first page.
12 year old girls Merdith had pressed charges against her father for child molestation. they had thier evidence and there were other children in the neighborhood who had been asulted my her father.
the police promised her and all the other children 9 years of safety. of him locked behind bars.
3 years later her father is realesed from prison early due to good behavior...
Merdith knows that he will try again, and that its only a matter of time. her mother calls it and accident. a mistake. Now merdith must rely on her neighbors abd best friend who also lost his innocence to her father.
Merdith knows she must do SOMTHING. but is she willing to sacrifice herself?

it took me all the self comtrol i have to not start reading the dialougr out loud in public. Merdiths charecter is one of a kind and unforgettable. this eggy lost and strong herion will have you begging for more.

do urself a favor.
Read the danm book.

It's hard to understand or explain just exactly how difficult reading this book is, until you do it.

The story is about Meredith - fifteen years old and already abused more than anyone should ever be, by one of the people she should have trusted and loved most in her life. Having expected to be free by the time her father would return, Meredith finds herself trapped when he comes back six years too soon. Her mother, delighted to have her man back, ignores Meredith's pleas. Her husband is far more important.

This is the setting of "Such a Pretty Girl", a book that is bound to chill any reader and capture them far more quickly than most books. Wiess writes clearly about this disturbing topic, sickening and amazing. Meredith is a realistic character, in that she is neither flawless nor unbelievably weak. Meredith is strong at times, weak at others, and all the while real. Side characters are as believable, from neighbor Nigel, to best/boy friend Andy and his mother. Meredith's mother is also so wholly real and terrifying, as is her father.

The topic is not pleasant. The book does not leave one with happy, comfortable feelings. It presents something disgusting and true in a well-written way that is bound to reach out to any reader and any person. Probably not for younger readers, though. The topic is difficult and intense, but the book is incredible.

Highly recommended.

This book left me raw. As a High School guidance counselor, I would like to believe that I would know how to help a teenager in this situation. I keep reading literature about kids in trouble to make sure I keep these issues- rape, abuse, loss, death, betrayal, and molestation in my head enough so that hopefully I recognize it when I see it and am able to help. This book is so compelling--Even though I was tired when I picked it up, I read the whole thing in one sitting. I'm not sure it helps me understand how to help--- but it does remind me that these issues are all around us-- and often times those people who have developed strategies to keep people at bay are the very ones that need our help and compassion the most. I will keep this visible on my book shelf--ready to pass on to the right kid.

I actually listened to the book on tape and found that I did not want to stop listening to it. I kept staying in my car to listen to more of it!

All I have to say is that I have finished this book and I find myself just reading the reviews here to get more of the book.

Definitely recommended for a mature audience. Her story is psychologically accurate for a girl in this situation. I recommend this book to everyone.

This book is very good and though provoking. It will make you feel afraid for Merideth

this book caught and held me on the first page.
12 year old girls Merdith had pressed charges against her father for child molestation. they had thier evidence and there were other children in the neighborhood who had been asulted my her father.
the police promised her and all the other children 9 years of safety. of him locked behind bars.
3 years later her father is realesed from prison early due to good behavior...
Merdith knows that he will try again, and that its only a matter of time. her mother calls it and accident. a mistake. Now merdith must rely on her neighbors abd best friend who also lost his innocence to her father.
Merdith knows she must do SOMTHING. but is she willing to sacrifice herself?

it took me all the self comtrol i have to not start reading the dialougr out loud in public. Merdiths charecter is one of a kind and unforgettable. this eggy lost and strong herion will have you begging for more.

do urself a favor.
Read the danm book.

It's hard to understand or explain just exactly how difficult reading this book is, until you do it.

The story is about Meredith - fifteen years old and already abused more than anyone should ever be, by one of the people she should have trusted and loved most in her life. Having expected to be free by the time her father would return, Meredith finds herself trapped when he comes back six years too soon. Her mother, delighted to have her man back, ignores Meredith's pleas. Her husband is far more important.

This is the setting of "Such a Pretty Girl", a book that is bound to chill any reader and capture them far more quickly than most books. Wiess writes clearly about this disturbing topic, sickening and amazing. Meredith is a realistic character, in that she is neither flawless nor unbelievably weak. Meredith is strong at times, weak at others, and all the while real. Side characters are as believable, from neighbor Nigel, to best/boy friend Andy and his mother. Meredith's mother is also so wholly real and terrifying, as is her father.

The topic is not pleasant. The book does not leave one with happy, comfortable feelings. It presents something disgusting and true in a well-written way that is bound to reach out to any reader and any person. Probably not for younger readers, though. The topic is difficult and intense, but the book is incredible.

Highly recommended.

I read this book several months ago. Well, I read all but the last 2 pages. It had me on edge nearly the entire time, and this sounds silly, as I'm a grown mother of two, but I was too scared to read the last two pages!

Great job, R.W.!

We killed the retarded boy. He took his own life, but we killed him just the same.

Thus begins The Takers, the first book in R.W. Ridley's YA Horror series The Oz Chronicles. This debut novel (published in 2005) is well paced, with a great quest/adventure and and several likable characters, including the main protagonist, Osmond (Oz) Griffin. The second in the series, Delon City, is now published and is definitely on my reading list.

Thirteen-year old Oz awakens from a fever induced slumber to find his world dramatically changed, his parents and most of the other people on his block "taken" and seemingly eaten by nightmarish monsters who appear and attack when their name is spoken. His quest begins when he is given responsibility for a baby named Nate, whose mother is taken, so he piles up his wagon, takes a sword from Nate's father's study, and proceeds to the big city. Here, the mystery of the Takers (who are they, where did they come from) begins to unfold, as Oz and his growing army of misfit survivors (including a sign-language speaking gorilla named Ajax who understands more about what is happening with the Takers than he can say) do battle with several of the monsters. A comic book written by the afore mentioned "retarded boy" holds the key to the mysteries and the quest involving Oz, baby Nate and the Takers.

I read The Takers straight through as the action and the quest continue unabated through the book. The ending comes quickly, but sets up the second in the series nicely, leaving some questions to be answered but solving many of the puzzles.

Horror and YA (with the notable exceptions of Potter and Eragon) are usually not my genres of choice, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to fans of both genres.

I didn't read this book, but my 14 year old son loved it! That's saying sooo much, since he has never read ( and finished ) a book on his own before. He does not enjoying reading, as I do. He started this book one evening, after I made him, and he couldnt put it down. For the first time ever, I had to tell him to put a book down and go to bed! We have already ordered book 2, and he cant want for it to get here. Hopefully, this will start a joy of reading with him!

What its about:
13 year old Oz awakes from a fever in his parent's closet only to find that everyone is gone. He also is startled to discover that the reason people are missing is due to these strange creatures call the Takers. He knows that he has something to do with the Takers taking people b/c of a comic book a kid down the street wrote. He starts traveling to find an uncle and along the way he gathers some friends to help him battle the Takers. He learns that he has a mission to protect a baby who is a "storyteller." Oz and his gang struggle to save the baby and battle the Takers.

What is good about it:
This is a great story. It is pretty original and has some scary, funny and actions parts. Oz is a great hero. He isn't perfect but he is smart and brave. He has this charisma that attracts others and they follow him. B/c he is a child he is more willing to accept that there are these weird creatures out there, that a kid wrote about this in a comic book and that he should take advice from a gorilla (believe me it makes more sense in the book). It isn't a long book and is very easy to read in one sitting. In fact you might not be able to put it down.

What is bad about it:
Oz is a 13 year old and sometimes some of the things he does or says aren't very realistic of what a 13 year old might say. The ending also sort of surprises you but then you feel better about it knowing there is another book coming along.

Conclusion:
This is a very original book that I think adults and young adults will enjoy. I am looking forward to reading the next one. Enjoy!

I picked up The Takers upon the recommendation of a friend, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It is definitely targeted at a young-adult audience, and the term 'young' hasn't applied to me for a few decades, so I sometimes felt the story was rushed. On more than one occasion I felt myself wanting more. That said, I couldn't put the book down. It is a horror story, but is not overly scary or gory (again, good for YA) but it satisfies the horror fan with an extra helping of creepy.

The Takers is a gigantic toothy maw of literary fun that is sure to swallow the reader whole. It is full of action, likable characters, intrigue, and (of course) monsters. The plot jumps into high gear from the first page, and doesn't slow until the very end. As the first book of a series, it tells a good story that can stand on its own while at the same time luring the reader into book two (which I now have on order).

My complete review:

Characters: 5 stars. In a fast-paced adventure like this, it is easy to lose character development. Ridley manages to create a cast of interesting characters despite this challenge, including a Silverback Gorilla that speaks with sign language (a mechanism that I was skeptical of when first introduced, but it works).

Plot: 5 stars. The plot evolves well, with sufficient twists to keep the reader's interest peaked. The plot is more complex than many YA horror stories. For example, I found the plot of EPOCH to be relatively flat in comparison.

Pacing: 4 stars. I'm holding back one star here because I would have liked to see more of just about everything along the way: more detail in descriptions, more character interaction, etc. However, as mentioned above I am older than the intended audience by a fair bit. Also, the trade-off results in an exciting roller-coaster ride of a story, and that's not a bad thing.

Genre: 5 stars. While not overly gory or scary, The Takers is creepy, with many classic elements of horror: post-apocalyptic survival; mysterious disappearances; taboos; and lots of monsters. The monsters are described perfectly: just enough detail to inspire the reader's imagination to invent more. There is also a god diversity of monster-types to keep things interesting (and, again, creepy).

First Impression: The opening line "We killed the retarded boy" is brilliant.
Last Impression: This would make a great video game.

Overall Score: 5 stars.


Finally, The Takers is an independently published book, and as a self-published author myself (Cluck: Murder Most Fowl), I'm glad to see another independent author who takes writing seriously: the book is well structured, well written, and free of the typos and grammatical errors that sometimes appear in independent works.

The Twelfth Angel was a very emotional book that portraid the life of a man with a broken heart. It used a lot of forshadowing wich was hard to follow at times but was a main part of the story. It was a very predictible book that at times had you hanging by tip of your seat. I didn't rate the book very high because it was at times hard to follow but had a good plot that showed that he was a deep writer. Over all I thought it was a fine book and suggest that if you like drama and sad books with good endings it is the book to read.

This book just makes you want to count your blessings! I absolutely loved it!

I've read every book that Mandino has written. This was the first book that got me hooked on this author. He is a great story teller and a great motivational/inspirational writer! This is a must read for anyone over the age of 12. If all little league coaches read this book, there would be less problems with out of control coaches. This is not about baseball but about how to deal with life and how to treat people.

I have read everyone of Og Mandinos Books and all I can say is that he writes with brilliance, clarity, enthusiasm, and spirit. You can never go wrong with any of his books. He points out the path to success and motivates the spirit within to achieve all that we as human beings are capable. He helped me to tap into my innate genuis and create a life of prosperity and creativity. If you havent raed his books, start now and your journey of the spirit will begin. He was a born writer and even after his passing continues to have a great influence on many people old and young. He truly lived a purposeful and divine life. Go buy all his books and enjoy the growth and enlightenment. After that Buy my Book " Your daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present". Enjoy and rememeber you are capable of great things in your life.

The Twelfth Angel, by Og Mandigo, is truly an inspiring and heartfelt story. This story left such an unforgettable impact on me that I know I'm likely to ponder it for years. Everyone should absolutely read this book, especially those in need of inspiration and hope. This book leaves you with tears, with hope you never knew you had, and with the wanting to never give up.

I don't want to give away too much, but this book is about a young, diligent, succesful, loving man who moves back to his small hometown of Boland, NH, with his wife Sally and their young boy Rick. When tradegy strikes, John has to struggle to cope. His life is shattered and he ultimately looks to suicide as an answer. Fortunately, his old friend, Bill helps him out of the gutter, which is where his life now lies, by asking him to help coach the boys little league. Uncertain, John finally accepts.

The day of tryouts John notices a boy who is smaller than any of the other kids, whose baseball hat and clothes look about two sizes too big on him. This little boy isn't very good at baseball, but he kept on trying, the whole time with determination and a big smile on his face. Although some of the older and better kids laughed and smirked at his constant mistakes and misses, this little boy was never put down and never stopped. And to John's surprise, this boy was amazingly the splitting image of his boy Rick! At first John had even thought he could have been Rick. This little boy, Timothy Noble, was by far the worst player of all the kids who tried out, and who had managed, almost as if by destiny, to end up on John's baseball team, receiving a jersey with number twelve on it.

Early on in the baseball season, John noticed that there was something very genuine and original about Timothy. What John and Timothy both don't know, is that their relationship will become very close, as they both need each other more than they can imagine.

I absolutely loved this heartfelt story. I even had tears gushing down my cheeks as I neared the end of the book. I think that this book is truly inspiring and comforting. I loved how caring and concerned John was of Timothy, and I especially loved little Timothy Noble and how happy he was. I was truly touched by this story and will always cherish everything I learned from this book. The lesson I think that Mandigo was in a way trying to get across is that you must be positive and have at least a good-maybe even a great-outlook on life, no matter what comes your way. If you are positive, you have a positive feedback, making your life richer everyday and in many different ways.

I really enjoyed Og Mandigo's writing style, as he was very, very vivid with his descriptions. I definitely plan to read more of his books in the future, and I would recommend this book to anyone who can read!

This series of Sisters Grimm books by Michael Buckley has characters familiar to adult readers and to many kids, too. The characters come from fairy tales and from other children's literature, with this author's own spin on them. The books are as entertaining for an adult to read as for a child. My nine year-old and I both read them very quickly and did not want to put them down.
We also enjoyed the Harry Potter series, but after reading these books find the Potter books to be much longer and wordier than these. These are quick reads, yet have a lot of action in few pages. We definitely recommend them.

The second book in this thrilling fantasy series introducing Sabrina and Daphne's school, filled with strange mysteries. Tantilizing secrets about characters are revealed, an evil plot is discovered, and Sabrina and Daphne, as the fairy tale detectives, must find out what's going on! This fast-moving, magical, epic tale will keep you on the edge of your seat!

My girls, 8 and 10, thoroughly enjoyed this book. They are always begging for 'just a little bit more' every time we have to put the book down. They love making the connections to the fairy tale characters that they are familiar with from other stories.

Reviewed by Nicholas Pettrone (age 9) for Reader Views (7/07)

This is a neat book about these two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, who after their parents disappear, are sent to their grandmother's house to live. They aren't living in a normal town though because the town they live in is full of everafters, storybook people who are trying to live a normal life. There is Snow White who teaches in the grade school, Mr. Hamlin, the principal who is really the pied piper of Hamlin, Prince Charming who is the mayor, and believe it or not, there is even a boy named Puck, who is sort of an ornery fairy, causing trouble with the two sisters.

Sabrina and Daphne try to get their parents back, but run into one problem after another. Finally they think they have it all figured out and are going to grab their mom and dad and run when it happens -- they meet face to face with the person who grabbed their parents. It is a girl in a red cape with a hood and a nasty smirk on her face. If that isn't bad enough, the book ends here and we never do find out if they are going to save their parents.

I liked "The Sisters Grimm Book 2," and how the author put in all the cool storybook characters. I did wish though that we would hear more about Mr. Hamlin than we did, but since the book was good, it really didn't matter in the end. This was a cool book and one that would be neat read out loud in the classroom. I am taking my book to school next year to share. It's too good to keep all to myself!

I've enjoyed reading "The Sisters Grimm", and recommend it.
I particularly appreciate the "Wizard of Oz" references.

One section had me laughing out loud, an unusual occurance (outside of a Stephanie Plum novel). Even today, two weeks later, I still smile thinking about it. Without revealing anything, I'll just refer to the ink "drawing".
...get the series, and read it!

I was a bit disappointed in these books, because I love the Crown/Court Duel books so much. These are not like them at all. They seem to be for much younger girls, and there's no romance or anything.

And it was weird but I did not really like Wren. I know I was meant to, but she just seemed like too much of a typical, plucky, orphaned heroine - and she was too matter of fact and accepting of all these amazing events. It wasn't realistic, and I know it's fantasy, but shouldn't the characters still feel real?

I have only read these books once - and I re-read EVERYTHING - so that tells you that they're not that great. But they are probably okay for younger readers.

The book I am reviewing is called Wren To The Rescue by Sherwood Smith. I think this story deserves five stars. It's about a girl named Wren trying to save a friend named Tess who is a princess. The problem is a evil king named Andres kidnaps Tess. Wren attempts to save her friend with the help of a magician and prince. She may just do it. I really recommend this book to everyone. Other books are Wren's Quest and Wren's War.

Emerson, NJ Fifth Grader

After I read Crown Duel, I couldn't wait to read other books by Sherwood Smith. I picked up "Wren to the Rescue", and began reading. I couldn't put it down! After reading Crown Duel, I thought NOTHING could even compare to it--I was wrong. "Wren to the Rescue" has the same nose-glued-to-the-page quality, plenty of action and adventure, lovable characters, and of course, majic. Normally, I'm not really into the whole "evil sorcerer/sorceress-mystical power-wizard school" thing, but this is different. The type of majic that Smith portrays is almost believable, and not the traditional witchcraft that many other books these days are about. I can't wait to read the other two in the series: "Wren's Quest" and "Wren's War"! I would reccomend this book to anyone, but people ages 10 and up will probably enjoy it to its fullest. Happy reading!

Wren to the Rescue is a great read! It keeps you hooked and after you read it, you'll run to find the sequels! I just finished reading it for the second time, and it was just as good as I remembered it.

Wren, an orphan at Three Groves Orphanage, finds out that her friend Tess is really a long lost princess, hidden there because the wicked king Andreus wants to kidnap her. Wren is invited to come back to the palace in Cantirmoor with her friend. Unfortunately, the day after they arrive, Andreus strikes and Tess is spirited off to his stronghold in Senna Lirwan. Wren, being the spunky girl that she is, is not content to sit back and watch everyone else search. She uses a magic spell she saw to transport herself to the magic school, and from there decides to run off with a young magic prentice, Tyron, to rescue Tess.

They decide to find the mysterious mage Idres Rhiscarlan, to see if she will help them. When she refuses, they set out on their own to try to prevent the coming war. After a while, they are joined by Connor, Tyron's friend and a prince. After many adventures, involving warrie beasts, secret passages, bridges, armies, thieves and chraucans, they make it into Senna Lirwan.

Wren drinks from a poisoned stream and Andreus tries to take her, but Idres somehow pops back into the stream and saves her, turning Wren into a dog in the process! Poor Wren! But it doesn't seem to bother her all that much, though she is in danger of being a dog forever.

However, more problems soon come their way. Connor has a terrible secret, Wren's friends are captured, and she must find a way to rescue them alone AND get Tess out, before she becomes a dog for good! How does she do it? Read the book to find out!

Though not on the par of Crown and Court Duet. This book was obviously written for a younger audience, without the same prose, (...) tension, or interesting plot twists that were present in Crown. Still, an absorbing and pleasant read. Recommended- especially for young adults.