EVER by Gail Carson Levine

I feel like I have been harsh on my "fantasy" books lately, but I just haven't found a winner yet.  I love Gail Carson Levine, but it took me a long time to get through EVER.  Ever is about two young lovers, Kenzi a mortal and Olus, the god of wind.  Kenzi is about to be sacrificed on the alter because her father made a promise to their god Adamt.  Olus does not want to see his love be sacrificed so he persuades her to try and become a god (no easy feat).  The chapters are very short and go back and forth between Olus and Kenzi.  My main concern with the book is keeping all the names straight and being able to switch speakers every chapter.  If you like fantasy with mythology then this book just might be for you!

Princess Ben By Catherine Gilbert Murdock

I did like this book (it has a fairy tale element to it).  Ben has to quickly learn how to become a princess/queen when her parents are killed suddenly by a "dragon" or so their enemies claim.  Yet, Ben has no desire to become queen and she hates the dance lessons, table manners, and sewing.  Finally she is banished to a tower room where she finds a portal that leads to a magic chamber.  Here Ben learns a few tricks and learns the art of becoming a true leader.  The magic in this book was fun, but I wished they spent more time explaining or using the magic.  The magic in the book just kind-of comes and goes and I felt that it should have been a larger part of the story.  I also did not appreciate the talk about Ben's weight...I never feel this should be part of a middle school story!  I liked the fantasy elements but felt the story could have come together better.

Sleeping Freshmen never lie By, David Lubar

Wow, loved this book.  This book made me laugh and reminisce about my high school days.  The main character has a journal "not a diary" where he likes to make lists of what to "Do" and "Not Do" at high school for his soon to be new baby brother.  He loves to make sure this new brother understands that he is a "Liquid goo" that is driving his mother mad and cutting into his social life.  This books hits all the classic "Cliques" at school and hits on some friend issues that every middle schooler and high schooler has experience.  A fun read!