Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

This is the sequel to The Goose Girl.  I liked it, but it was definitely wierder than the first one.  Definitely for girls 10 and up and definitely for fantasy lovers.  Clean, but slightly violent, as her kingdom is at war and she uses her "gift of fire" to burn up the enemy. 

Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Once again I am reviewing a Newbery award winning book.  I loved it.  I saw that other reviewers were upset that there is alcohol use, but hey, it takes place during prohibition, and she is an abandoned child whose father rides the rails.  This story has an intricately weaved story that is slowly revealed page by page.  Although the protagonist is a girl, I think that both boys and girls would enjoy this story.  Good to the last word!

Calico Bush by Rachael Field

I vowed I would stay away from Newbery award and honor books because you probably already know that most of them are clean reads and just plain old good books.  This one was a 1936 Newberry honor book.  It is historical fiction set in Maine during the French Indian War.  It is about a French girl who loses her family and becomes a "bound out girl" to a family with 5 children.  A good read, but I am unsure if today's children would be interested in it.  There are a lot of french words, references to her Catholic upbringing and customs, and time period words and phrases all without explanation as to their meaning.  I think this would make this a difficult read for any child under the age of 10.  I, however, enjoyed it and think it would make a good read aloud so that explanations could be inserted.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

I just finished this one and I loved it.  Based on a Grimm's Fairy Tale it has Kings, Queens, a princess and a lady in waiting.  Humor, drama, sorrow, murderous plots, deceit, love and honor in the middle ages.  If you read Amazon Books review of this book, one person hated it because of a scene of "bare breasted women".  To me is was just a slight reference in the middle of a retelling of an old war legend.  I had no problem with it especially since the rest of the book is so good I could not put it down.  I have already ordered the sequel, Enna Burning.

Great Books

I have read a ton of great young adult books over the years, however when I went to write a posts about them I realized that I should have done it right after reading the book, not several months or years later.  I can tell you a book is a great read, but I can't tell you if it had any foul language in it, etc.  So maybe I should post a list of great books to read (no guarantees on the exact content) and review them one by one as I reread them. 

Julie

A Pocket Full of Seeds by Marilyn Sachs

Yet another holocaust/Nazi era survivor book.  This one is a little different, in that it is about a Jewish family that lived in France at the time of the occupation.  It is told from the viewpoint of Nicole an 11 year old girl
who lives with her parents and little sister.  She comes home one day to find them gone.    Based on a true story (the best kind of book in my opinion).  The book details the effects of war on her country, her town, and her friends and family.  A sad but insightful read.

Belle Prater's Boy by Ruth White

This book takes place in 1953 in Virginia.  Belle Prater's boy Woodrow is sent to live with his maternal grandparents after his mother just suddenly disappears one night.  While there he reconnects with his cousin Gypsy and they become best friends during their 6th grade year.  They both have some deep sorrows to share and find great comfort and support in each other.  I think both boys and girls would like this book .
It moves quickly and is just a great read.