Book Review - Wild Girls by Pat Murphy

Have you judged a book by the cover before? Really? You never have? Well, I'm going to admit that sometimes, even I do. And it is for that reason that The Wild Girls sat in my to-read pile for way too long. If there is ever a time to look beyond the cover, this is it.

When Joan's family moves from Connecticut to California, no one is less enthusiastic than Joan. But one day, exploring the orchard in her back yard, she comes upon another house and finds that there's a girl her age, 12, who lives there with her dad. Sarah, or "Fox", as she calls herself, is a wild girl, and she and Joan become quick friends, exploring the northern California wilderness and writing stories together. When their teacher tells them about a creative writing contest, they co-write a story about the Wild Girls, leading them into a summer they'll never forget.

The Wild Girls was so well-written, I felt like I was watching a movie when reading it. I was completely transported to northern California in the 1970s, and felt like I knew the Wild Girls and their families. This is a powerful book that's an inspiration for writers, dreamers, and anyone going through a rough patch.

* * * * * (Five stars!)

Recommended to: anyone who's ready to overlook the less than amazing cover, especially writers

Book Review - Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Scarlett Martin might want to complain about a few things, but you have to admit, she's got it pretty good. First, she lives in New York City. Second, she lives in a hotel! Third, her older sister lets her borrow a Dior dress on more than one occasion.

Wittily written by Maureen Johnson, Suite Scarlett starts with Scarlett's fifteenth birthday. Like everyone in the Martin family, on her fifteenth birthday, Scarlett gains a new privilege (fancy word for chore). She is given a room in the family hotel to look after. It turns out Scarlett's life is, if you look at it one way, not quite as fabulous as it sounds on paper.

It's summer and all her friends are off doing exciting things, while she's stuck working at her parent's hotel, which is barely keeping the family afloat. But then her hotel room receives a guest who changes everything. A woman named Amy suddenly has Scarlett chasing all over the city running errands for her, and she has a not-so-secret past as something... theater-related. And then there's Spencer, Scarlett's older brother who's trying to pursue his dream of acting, and who just happens to have a really cute coworker....

There's a lot more in store for Scarlett this summer, and for readers who get sucked into this book (like I was, this Saturday). It looks like this is the beginning of a series for the busy Maureen Johnson.

Read if you like: theater stories, snorting (laughing) at how witty Maureen Johnson is, John Green, Hamlet, anything set in NYC

Book Review - Stop In The Name Of Pants

You're not the only one going back to school right now. Georgia Nicolson, your favorite funny British girl is back at it again in the latest book by Louise Rennison, #9 in the series. It's the end of August and Georgia can't wait to hear from Masimo, her Italian boyfriend who's off in Pizza-a-go-go land, aka Italy. But then there's also Dave the Laugh, who's never quite out of the picture, and keeps making his way into the story. Georgia's not looking forward to starting school again at Stalag 14, but somehow, she and the ace gang will survive.

Like many of the more recent Georgia Nicolson books, not much really happens in this much, but you're laughing too much to care! These books are pure silliness, which is just what you need at the beginning of the school year.

Read if you like: Sue Limb, laughing, made-up words, and British humor.

Also, there's instructions to the latest version of the viking bison disco inferno at the back of the book, if that's your idea of a fun time.

* * * * (four stars)

More breaking news for Twilight fans

The release of the Twilight movie has been moved up three weeks to Thanksgiving weekend!

Mark your calendars for November 21st!