Understood Betsy

I loved this book from Laurel. It's such a sweet book--one I'd love to read my girls.

the sisterhood grows

I just picked it up yesterday, the latest by Ann Brashares, 3 Willows. I'm only a couple chapters in, but it's good. Different, younger set of girls, same location, and they idolize the original sisterhood. First one to email me gets to have it next.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

This is one of those books that is just so cute. It fulfilled my need for a candy read; by the end I was bored by its easy conclusion. This is definitely juvenile lit, which most (all?) of us appreciate anyway, right? I just want to say that I don't know why anyone would put L. M. Montgomery's fiction in the juvenile lit. category. It has so much substance and real-life sorrows and joys in it. I'm going to reread my favorite book next: The Blue Castle (by Montgomery). Oh yes, after being good and reading this month's book.

I definitely recommend Fairest, written by the author of Ella Enchanted. Her tone is very similar to Shannon Hale's, I would say. What do you guys think?

P.S. This is the retelling of Snow White.

Princess Academy

This is the second book by Shannon Hale that I have read, and I loved it almost as much as "Book of a Thousand Days" which I've told you all about. This is a cute book - such a fast and fun read. Especially those of you who enjoy reading youth fiction, you've got to start reading Shannon Hale's books. She's so creative.

And by the way, I want to hear what the rest of you have been reading outside our "assigned" books! This blog is far too quiet.

Book of a Thousand Days

I really loved this book! It's a youth fiction written in journal format from the perspective of a young maid to a princess/gentry. It's based on a Grimm fairy tale. It's such a fun and fast read. It was recommeded to me by a friend and now that I'm done, I'm passing it on to Melanie (13) who I know will love it, too. *Note about the author - she's an LDS woman but this is published mainstream - her books are very clean. Go buy this book or put your name on the long waiting list at the library. You won't be sorry. --Alisa

(Marcy - seriously, this book is right up your alley!)