Gorgeous

Goregeous by Rachel Vail

Ninth-grader Allison Avery has always been the least attractive among her sisters, but when she allows the devil to possess her cell phone in exchange for appearing to be gorgeous, she must confront the power and deceptiveness of appearances.

My Thoughts:  This is the story that comes after Lucky by Rachel Vail.  It was interesting to see Allison's perspective on life in the Avery family.  I could really identify with her on her views of gorgeousness.  I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy about Quinn!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Marie Curie: Mother of Modern Physics

Marie Curie: Mother of Modern Physics by Janice Borzendowski

A biography of Marie Curie, whose discovery of radium changed science and the world, and describes her childhood, education, and the hardships she faced in her professional life.



My Thoughts:  I found this to be a facinating story!  I knew that Marie Curie was a famous scientist, but I had no idea of the hardships she faced or the importance of her contributions!  This was a fabulous true story!
 
*Summary taken from CIP data.

Beastly

Beastly by Alex Flinn

A modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" from the point of view of the Beast, a vain Manhattan private school student who is turned into a monster and must find true love before he can return to his human form.

My Thoughts: It was really interesting to get into Kyle's head as he was turned into the Beast. It makes a person think about what is truly important when making friends and just interacting with other people. I couldn't wait to get to the end!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

The Cupcake Queen

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler

While longing to return to life in New York City, thirteen-year-old Penny helps her mother and grandmother run a cupcake bakery in Hog's Hollow, tries to avoid the beastly popular girls, to be a good friend to quirky Tally, and to catch the eye of enigmatic Marcus.

My Thoughts: This is a fun girl read! This story has mean girls, cupcakes, pranks, a cute boy, art, and friendship!

*Summary from CIP data.

Next to Mexico

Next to Mexico by Jennifer Nails

Outspoken, impulsive Lylice has skipped fifth grade, but she finds that getting along at Susan B. Anthony Middle School is more difficult than she expected, until she befriends another newcomer to sixth grade.

My Thoughts - As a teacher, I really liked Lylice (although I'm still not sure how to say her name!) and thought some of the situations she got into were totally unfair, but realistic. The story gave the reader a glimpse into the middle school type groups with the in kids and the out kids and showed that everyone has problems.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Poor Little Witch Girl

Poor Little Witch Girl by Marie Desplechin

Eleven-year-old Verbena thinks her hereditary witchcraft is a curse that will keep her from having a normal life and marriage one day, but her mother and grandmother, who help tell the story, are eager to start her training.

My Thoughts - Verbena is certainly and interesting name! Having different narrators tell different parts of the story was nice because you got to see everyone's point of view.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Diamond Willow

Diamond Willow by Helen Frost

Diamond Willow lives in a very remote town in Alaska and she loves helping her dad take care of their dog sled team. Willow is anxious for the day when she will be allowed to take the dog sled team out on her own. But tragedy strikes and Roxy, the prized lead dog, is severely injured. Can Willow do what it takes to save her?

My Thoughts - This was a great dog story! It was so interesting how the author wrote the story in the diamond shapes. I liked the parts where Willow's ancestors helped her. Everyone should read this book! It is a very fast read!