The Girls by, Amy Goldman Koss

Ok, I believe that every girl should read this story. I read this book in just a couple of hours. It was 120 pages and a quick read. This story was about a group of girls (5) with one leader! Candace is the leader and whatever Candace wants...she gets. Whatever Candace thinks...she is right. Candace can do no wrong. So when Candace decides that she doesn't want Maya in the group anymore, everyone goes along, even if they don't understand. This book is told through the eyes of each of the 5 girls. Every chapter is a different girl sharing her part of the story. This book also takes place over one weekend. I enjoyed the book for the "eye opening" look into a group of girls who have sacrificed who they are, what they think and feel, just to be friends with another.

Shackleton's Stowaway by Victoria McKernan

This story is based off of the Oct. 26, 1914 Ernest Shackleton's exploration into the Antarctic. I was a little nervous to read this, just wondering if it would hold my attention, and it did. Around 28 men (and one stowaway) left with Shackleton in an exploration of crossing the Antarctic continent. Ice soon became their enemy as their ship "the endurance" became trapped in ice and eventually sank. 28 men without a ship and with no one looking for them must survive the cold, hunger, and killer whales to stay alive. With only 3 row boats the men divided into two groups. One group would try to go back to get help while the other two boats tried to find shelter. This is a story about true endurance...4 months in the antarctic....waiting...wondering. I had never heard of this true story and am glad that I was able to learn a part of history!

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

I was very excited to be reading my first Sarah Dessen book! I feel like it has taken me forever to read a book by her. "Just Listen" was an interesting book that reminded me that everyone and every family has their own problems and sometimes we need to just sit back and listen! This story was about a girl named Annabel who is the youngest of three sisters. All of the sisters are models, yet each is fighting their own battle. Annabel has been shunned by her group of friends for an incident that happened over the summer. Only an outcast boy named Owen offers her a friendship and to just listen to her problems. Throughout the story Annabel's family becomes exposed (Mother depressed, sister has an eating disorder, etc.) and the reader is left to wonder about the people around them. How well do we know what others are going through? Maybe we all need to stop and just listen.

Epic by Connor Kostick

I will have to admit this was a bit of a stretch for me. This was a science fiction book about a world where you have to play in a video game to earn money and a place in the "real" world. If your character is killed in the game then in the "real" world you have lost all your fortune and have to start over with a new character. I found the concept interesting (playing in the video game of "Epic"), but must admit at times were confused with the language of the story being futuristic (but this is not my best genre). Towards the end of the story when the quest was at it's peak I could not put the book down. However, I then would have liked to have a different ending. I can see why this book is popular...it is creative, fun, and a good science fiction novel.

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

I really liked this book! I thought that this book was going to be more of a soap opera of a high school, but instead I was able to read a story along the lines of King Arthur. It seems that King Arthur has been reborn in Avalon High, home of the Excalibur. A. William Wagner is the popular quarterback with his trusty tackler, Lance, making sure that nobody sacks him. Guinevere also makes her appearance as Jenny the head cheerleader. The past seems to come to life as the same events surrounding King Arthur seem to be repeating in the high school of Avalon High.

Demon Keeper by, Royce Buckingham

If this book hadn't been recommended to me I am not sure I would have picked it out. On the cover it does not look like a book for me, but I actually enjoyed reading it. Nat is in charge of demons who live in his house. His only job is to feed them and make sure they don't get out. However, one night Nat leaves a window open and two mischievous boys enter the house to see what they can steal. Only one makes it out alive...and worst of all...they have let out the BEAST. The BEAST that is always hungry!!!! Now Nat must somehow bring the BEAST back (while not getting killed), and worry about his enemy the "thin man" who seems to be lurking around. I enjoyed the book, and give it 2 thumbs up....thanks for the recommendation.

P.S. Longer Letter Latter by Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin

This book is done through letters. Two best friends (Elizabeth and Tara) are dealing with Tara's moving away by writing letters back and forth. Both girls are experiencing changes in friends, and family matters. Each girl needs the other to lean on to overcome the obstacles in their life. It was a fun book to read in a different format for me. I liked it and was surprised by Elizabeth's home life. It was not what I was expecting to be the problem or the solution. I have heard that there is a sequel and it is done through e-mails instead to one another. I hope you give this book a try!