2010 Last Minute YA RRs

In an effort to get caught up with my 2010 YA reviews I am lumping a few books into one post.

The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Can love last beyond the grave?

Sylvie Davis is a ballerina who can’t dance. A broken leg ended her career, but Sylvie’s pain runs deeper. What broke her heart was her father’s death, and what’s breaking her spirit is her mother’s remarriage—a union that’s only driven an even deeper wedge into their already tenuous relationship.

Uprooting her from her Manhattan apartment and shipping her to Alabama is her mother’s solution for Sylvie’s unhappiness. Her father’s cousin is restoring a family home in a town rich with her family’s history. And that’s where things start to get shady. As it turns out, her family has a lot more history than Sylvie ever knew. More unnerving, though, are the two guys that she can’t stop thinking about. Shawn Maddox, the resident golden boy, seems to be perfect in every way. But Rhys—a handsome, mysterious foreign guest of her cousin’s—has a hold on her that she doesn’t quite understand.

Then she starts seeing things. Sylvie’s lost nearly everything—is she starting to lose her mind as well?

The recommendation card by this book at the library listed it as a Southern Gothic caught my attention. Took a few extra pages to get into it, but once I did, it was very enjoyable.

You Can’t Read This!:  Why Books Get Banned by Pamela Dell

Throughout history writers have rebelled against authority and the status quo real revolutionaries! They are the source of new ideas or old ideas expressed in new ways. But not everyone is happy with this freedom of expression, and some try to keep it from you. Could your favorite book be next?

I wanted to read this one during Banned Book Week, but had too many holds in front of me. An informative book for middle grades.

I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs By Teens Famous and Obscure,
Edited by Smith Magazine

One life. Six words. What's yours?



True tales of love, loss, good friends, and bad hair days filled Not Quite What I Was Planning, the New York Times bestselling first book in the Six-Word Memoir series—and an international phenomenon. Some of the most compelling were by teens, so now SMITH Magazine has compiled a book written entirely by these bold, brash truth-tellers. From cancer to creativity, prom dates to promiscuity, and breaking hearts to breaking laws, the memoirs in this collection reveal that often the youngest writers have the most fascinating stories to tell.

These six word memoirs are powerful. You will laugh, cry and relate to many of them.

No Moon by Irene Watts

Fourteen year old Louisa Garderner works as a nursemaid to young daughters of a titled family in London. Despite being bullied by stern Nanny Mackintocsh she is happy in her work.

However Louisa is haunted by the memory of her toddler brother’s death, when she was five. She blames herself for his accidental drowning on a trip to the sea-side. Her fears come to pass when she is told that the family will be traveling on the Titanic on her maiden voyage to New York, in 1912. If she refuses to go, she will lose her employment and her chance of a better life. She makes her decision and must finally face her greatest fears on the voyage that changes lives forever.

An enjoyable read. The Titanic portion was done carefully for young readers.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything

I listened to this book narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan on the recommendation of Beth Fish Reads.  I believe that narrator made it great.  I was mesmerized.  I listened mostly while walking and kept on walking so I could listen just a bit more.