Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Name: Howl's Moving Castle
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Genre: Teen Fantasy/Sci-fi
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Rating: Fabulous
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise (be brief): - Eldest of three sisters in a land where it is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl. (King County Library)
Opinions: I admit that I read this book several years ago, but I remember completely that it was amazing. It had mixed reviews at the book club that I attended as many thought it was just an enjoyable read than something profound, but this is an amazingly fantastical book. It takes place in a magical realm, but there is a special door that lets the wizard Howl visit someone in our world. I loved the freedom that Sophie found in becoming an old women allowing her to slough off her hesitant personality of youth. I found this book full of profound insight if you choose to look for it, but it is still filled with such fun, fantastical characters and events that keep you wanting to read until the end. This book was SO good that as soon as I finished reading it I immediately started reading it again, this time out loud to my nephews. There was a movie made of this movie, but in my opinion the book outshines it 100%.

The Fearless Pregnancy by Victoria Clayton...

I KNOW!!! You are seriously asking how I can post three reads this week. Well, I'm just good (just kidding). My sick child is finally sleeping soundly and I'm taking a moment of peace and reflection to spread the word for some wonderful reads and to amaze one and all I'm actually about to recommend a self-help book. Yes, I actually read more than teen fantasy. Just wait and I will amaze you at the various types of books that I end up reading.




Name: The Fearless Pregnancy: Wisdom and Reassurance from a Doctor, a Midwife, and a Mom
Author: Victoria Clayton, Stuart Fischbein, and Joyce Weckl
Genre: Non-fiction/Self-Help
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Rating: WORSHIP!!!!!!!!!!
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise (be brief): - Like other best-selling pregnancy books, this The Fearless Pregnancy shares first-person information from a new mom, but what sets it apart from the other books is that it also includes helpful advice from both a doctor and a midwife...(Amazon.com)
Opinions: OK I have a religious side of me that rebels at saying that I worship this book, but come on... I just had my first child this spring and anyone who has ever been pregnant knows the emotional gambit a woman traverses during the time she is caring that special being within her (even more so having previously miscarried several pregnancies before this one). Having made it past my first trimester I wanted to know everything and anything about being pregnant, what I was going through, doctors' tests, etc. This book was AMAZING!!! It covers the fears, the myths, the facts, and any information from three different view points that will allow a mom to make a decision to personalize her own pregnancy and delivery. This book was so good that I'm willing to hand it out (or recommend it spastically) to anyone that I hear is pregnant.



Seriously, feel free to send us suggestions, or reviews of books that you have read if you would like to see anything from someone other than Stephanie and myself.

The 13th Reality by James Dashner

Name: The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Teen Fantasy
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise (be brief): - Thirteen-year-old Atticus "Tick" Higginbottom begins receiving mysterious letters from around the world signed only "M.G.," and the clues contained therein lead him on a journey to the perilous 13th Reality and a confrontation with evil Mistress Jane. (King County Library System)
Opinions: Having previously read the first book in Dashner's Jimmy Fincher series I immediately went to my local library and requested another one of Dashner's series - The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters. I do not know a lot about Quantum Physics, but I do know that this was a fun read. It is a great look into the power of a person's choices and the amazing things that teenagers (let a lone any of us) can do in this world. I was also quite impressed with Atticus "Tick" Higgenbottom's (seriously the main character's name) parents. Many times in the last two years I have read books where the teenager or young adult has harsh, mean, or unfeeling parents. In this book, Edgar and Lorena are an amazing support to their son. They believe in him and trust in him (granted he has NEVER given them a reason not to). Overall...I love this book and read it as quickly as I could.

A Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris

Name: A Squire's Tale
Author: Gerald Morris
Genre: Teen Fantasy
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Rating: Adore
Alerts/Warnings: There are some mentions of people getting their heads cut off (on purpose or accidentally) and other people having to carry these heads to King Arthur to account for their crimes. These scenes are short but I am told are a lot less gruesome than the original Le Morte d'Arthur.
Premise (be brief): - In medieval England, fourteen-year-old Terence finds his tranquil existence suddenly changed when he becomes the squire of the young Gawain of Orkney and accompanies him on a long quest, proving Gawain's worth as a knight and revealing an important secret about his own true identity (King County Library System).
Opinions: This book is the first in a series of books retelling Arthurian legend tales. I not only thoroughly enjoyed this book, I have been enjoying the entire series. It is a relatively smooth read, filled with adventure, emotions, swordplay, sarcastic commentary, and an interesting look into what makes a woman - their souls vs. their beauty. I highly recommend this as a fabulous read.

A Door in the Woods by James Dashner

Name: A Door in the Woods
Author: James Dashner
Genre: Teen Fantasy
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise (be brief): - Fourteen-year-old Jimmy Fincher sets off on a quest that takes him from Georgia across the country and to other, sometimes terrifying worlds, armed with a powerful gift and a mission. (Summary courtesy of Orem, UT Public Library)
Opinions: The voice of the book is what made the book for me. The narrator is quirky, blunt and hilarious (especially from a 14 year-old point of view). I finished this book in less than a day. It is an easy read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and refused to put it down until I was finished. Let's just say it was good enough that I wrote the author an email to thank him for the journey.