Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Source: 1 ARC Tours
Language: English

Synopsis: Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody…and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.
As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance….

Give Up The Ghost was an intriguing story that proved to be very refreshing with a main character who dealt with issues that didn't revolve around romance; instead Cass had to learn how to open herself up emotionally to the living and realize that she couldn't always count on ghosts to be there for her. The growing friendship between Cass and Tim was realistic in its pace and best of all, it stayed strictly within the realm of friendship. I feel like so many novels give us a female protagonist that starts out single, meets a boy and quickly the two are attracted to each other. This is a rather predictable formula so it was nice to see Megan Crewe not go down that route with Cass and Tim. (hence the refreshing aspect to this novel) However, I felt like the author could've explained a few things better. There were a few loose ends to the story and sometimes I don't like having to guess what happens-sometimes I want the author to tell me what happened and why. I also would've liked to see more of Cass' ghostly friends since they were mentioned fleetingly (when they did show up, they were very fun and quirky!) I wanted to know more about their past lives and not rely on only what Cass would tell the reader. The hopeful ending made me feel a little bit better but I honestly wanted a little more from the novel. It just didn't have everything nicely constructed the way I usually like as a reader. But that's just my opinion.

Rating: 3.5

The Trouble with Mark Hopper by Elissa Brent Weissman

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (July 9, 2009)
Language: English
My Edition: ARC

Synopsis: Mark Hopper is the smartest student in the sixth grade, and he knows it. When another Mark Hopper moves to town (the same age, with similar looks), Mark Hopper makes trouble for Mark Hopper. The Mark everyone knows isn't very nice, so the other Mark finds no one will talk to him. The new Mark isn't very brainy, so the other Mark worries that people will think he's a dummy. When a teacher forces them to be study partners, they realize that they can benefit from one another's strengths—and maybe win the Mastermind Challenge together. Trouble is, one of the Marks wants to win so badly that he's willing to steal from Mark.

Once you ignore the unbelievable coincidence of two boys being eerily alike in almost every aspect, ( like same name, same looks... sisters with the same age and name as well!) The Trouble with Mark Hopper is pretty enjoyable. Both Marks have distinctly different personalities: Mark #1 is mean, pushy, and one of those kids you just want to smack for being so smart. In contrast, Mark #2 is sweet, quiet and good with drawing. People in general prefer Mark #2 (once they get over the confusion of who's who...Mark #2 had a lot of trouble adjusting to his new town just because he shares the first Mark's name. It's hard to make friends when everyone you meet assumes you're an annoying know-it-all. ) but Mark #1 could care less about friends. His only concern is winning the Mastermind Competition this year. (and maybe to get his dad's attention...) Both Marks at first can't STAND each other but Mark #2 needs help with math and Mark #1 is the only kid smart enough to help him... so of course their teacher pairs them up as study partners. Mark #1 is NOT happy. Until he realizes he could use this to his advantage....

As mentioned above, once you get used to the idea of there being two Marks, the book can be read quickly at an enjoyable pace. All of the characters, including minor ones, were fun and I liked having them reappear throughout the novel. (Especially Mark #2's grandfather-he was adorable!) Although Mark #1 isn't the nicest kid in the beginning of the story, you start feeling a little sorry for him as you realize why he's so mean. Mark #2, the nice one, has many things that Mark#1 wishes that he had. Mark #2 just wants to do good in school (he was automatically placed into honors classes because the school thought he was the smart one)and enter his artwork into an upcoming art competition. The interaction between these two was very entertaining to read about (even at the beginning when they got off to a rocky start.) My only issues with this book was that I felt the ending was a bit rushed; I would've liked to have seen it drawn out a little further... as well as what was going on with Mark #1's father. But perhaps it was left the way it was since this book is geared more towards the younger readers. Other than that, I had fun reading The Trouble with Mark Hopper; the antics that go on within the book are great!

Rating: 4.0

Note: Thanks to 1 ARC Tours and Elissa Brent Weissman for providing me with a copy!

In My Mailbox (the week of winnings)

All of you get to see my ugly carpet ;P

So every book you see here (except for Give Up The Ghost) has been won from contests! How crazy is that? I've been riding a wave of good luck so far (Or maybe I got some of Bri's pixie dust? lol)

 

-Hush Hush-won over at The Book Scout. Besides this being a (signed!) finished copy, I also got some bookmarks and postcards (as seen in the picture♥) I even got one of the coveted posters :)

-Food, Girls and Other Things I Can't Have-won from Princess Bookie when she had those tons of contests that everybody was going crazy for (including me. I entered 15+, I think.)

-Donut Days-won from Thao from Serene Hours

-Gringolandia-won from A Reader's Adventure (I'm very happy about this one-it deals with a chilean family and I'm FROM a Chilean family ;D)

-ARCS of Deadly Little Lies & The Body Finder-won from The First Novels Club when they had their Serial Killers and Stalkers contest! (This site is great! Definetely check it out if you haven't already)

-ARC of Girls, Boys and Other Hazardous Materials-won from Sharon. It came with stickers too!

-ARC of Give Up The Ghost-courtesy of 1 ARC Tours

-Medina Hill-won from Taschima (it's not in the picture-sorry!)

 

I can't complain: I've been very fortunate with all the books I've gotten. My surprise turned into disbelief as I won each book. (Seriously Bri, are you SURE that you didn't accidently sprinkle any of your dust on me?) I wonder when I'll ever go buy a book again, LOL. I'm still holding out on my giftcards...

 

 

Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 13, 2010
Source: 1 ARC Tours
Language: English


Synopsis: Sixteen-Year-Old Celstia spends every summer with her family at the elite resort at Lake Conemaugh, a shimmering Allegheny Mountain reservoir held in place by an earthen dam. Tired of the society crowd, Celestia prefers to swim and fish with Peter, the hotel’s hired boy. It’s a friendship she must keep secret, and when companionship turns to romance, it’s a love that could get Celestia disowned. These affairs of the heart become all the more wrenching on a single, tragic day in May, 1889. After days of heavy rain, the dam fails, unleashing 20 million tons of water onto Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the valley below. The town where Peter lives with his father. The town where Celestia has just arrived to join him. This searing novel in poems explores a cross-class romance—and a tragic event in U. S. history.

Since Three Rivers Rising was in poetry form, it was easy for me to jump right into the novel and follow the lives of each character. My favorite ones were Peter and Celestia: their love for one another felt genuine and had all the intensity and longing of first love. When Celestia's romance is discovered by her family, their reaction is to automatically seperate the two; but Celestia's heart remains loyal to Peter and she decides to risk her place in society to be with him. Back in those times, the way Celestia's family reacted (while terrible) was considered normal and was realistically portrayed in the story. Other characters that appeared were Kate, the nurse in training who, after losing her childhood sweetheart, lost any hope for a future and resigned herself to an empty life and Maura with her husband Joseph (who ends up playing an important role during the flood). I liked how all the characters's interconnected with each other and seeing how each one's lives were affected by the Johnstown flood. I actually didn't know about the Johnstown flood (I guess high school history failed me.) so I got a good historical lesson out of this novel. However, as much as I enjoyed the characters, I felt like the story was rushed and I didn't get to know the characters as well as I wanted to. As for Peter and Celestia's romance, I would've liked to see it develop a little more gradually; but either way, I still thought they were adorable together. Their devotion to one another was sweet. :)

Three Rivers Rising proved to be a quick-paced, entertaining read with a nice historical allusion that I found really interesting and a set of characters that I found to be sincere and authentic. Anyone who likes books in poetry form will enjoy this one.

Rating: 3.5

In My Mailbox 16

Swoon by Nina Malkin (squee!)

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Three Rivers Rising by JameRichards (from the One Arc Tours-Thanks Mel!)

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

I'm especially happy that I got...

L8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle because it's signed! I met Lauren today at her book signing and she's so sweet :)

The Kindling of Greenfyr by Mark Freeman

The Kindling of GreenFyr is the story of Owen McInish, an awkward fourteen year old, bullied at school, and friendless except for his pet cat, Piper. That is, until a snow leopard is chased through the woods behind his house by three huge gray dogs with glowing green eyes. Owen saves the leopard from her pursuers, but the animal escapes him as well, only to return later. The cat’s behavior is peculiar, nothing like a wild animal, making Owen even more curious as to its origin. But only when the animal finally allows Owen to touch it, does Owen’s adventure truly begin. Owen finds himself experiencing friendships as he has never before, adventures as he has never imagined, and political intrigue as two worlds, long separated, begin to collide.

I didn’t know much about this book; I hadn’t heard of the author before, the cover didn’t make me go wow! (as other book covers do) and I probably never would’ve heard of Greenfyr if it hadn’t been for 1 ARC Tours. The synopsis did make me curious enough to want to read it, though. I honestly didn’t know what to expect so I started reading it… and realized that Greenfyr was way more interesting than I ever imagined! What really impressed me were the characters: each one had a distinct personality and their relationships to one another, whether they were enemies or comrades, was believable and never felt forced. I especially loved how Owen and Orla’s friendship developed and how their little band of travelers expanded to include many different types of creatures from Orla’s world. (Winter, one of the Aingeals was my favorite) Owen's circle of friends grew along with his confidence. It was so great to see this quiet boy mature into a young man who sees his fair share of battles and death. He even learns how to become an archer and picks up a few fighting skills on his journey to rescue his kidnapped parents. But Owen's not the only one going through a rough time; Orla's in the same boat, trying to figure out why someone would put her in Owen's world, intentionally wipe out her memory and ultimately try to kill her! The two go through a lot together and their experiences help to mold a concrete friendship. (did I mention that they also uncover a conspiracy that threaten both their worlds?) They've got a lot of work ahead of them and I can't wait for the next installment!

I don't think I need to elaborate on how impressed I am with Greenfyr. xD It definetely took me by surprise and I'd recommend this to anybody that wants to go on an awesome adventure :)

rating: 5.0