Take Four by Karen Kingsbury

Take Four is the final book in the Above the Line series. Readers find Andi, in her final months of pregnancy, struggling to decide whether or not to give up her baby for adoption. Bailey and Cody have declared their love for one another, but their new relationship is tested. The Jeremiah Production company films the much-anticipated movie Unlocked, which involved Bailey and a famous actor, Brandon Paul. 

Although the book is the final book in the series, the ending leaves openings for several new stories. (Hopefully, the new series featuring Bailey will answer many of the questions readers have at the end of this book like what happens with Brandon, Cody, and Bailey.)

Take Three was a little disappointing, but this book left me satisfied. It was less preachy than the last book, and I was thrilled with how the Andi storyline finished. Brandon Paul was an interesting new character who added a spark to the familiar characters. I hope Karen will let us readers know what happens next for Andi and her family. I was frustrated with the Cody and Bailey ending since I’ve looked forward to their relationship for like ten books, but I’ll buy the new books to find out what happens to this great couple.

This is a good series for people who enjoy realistic Christian fiction with characters who make mistakes, face the consequences of their mistakes, and sometimes learn from them.

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Lakshmi is a thirteen-year-old girl in Nepal. Her family is poor, and her mother sells to her to be a maid for a rich family. Sadly, like many girls in Nepal, Lakshmi is sold as a prostitute. Sold, written in free verse poetry, tells Lakshmi's tale of horror and eventual triumph. McCormick does a wonderful job of illustrating the plight of these girls without going into graphic details.

Sold deals with a topic that many parents may not want to let their children read in middle school, but it's a book I recommend to mature middle school girls or high school girls.

This book moved me. It broke my heart to know how many girls suffer from this horrible modern day slave trade. I read it during silent reading time with my students, and I actually screamed out at the end because I desperately wanted Lakshmi to be rescued. My kids all looked up in shock at me screaming, "Tell him your name. GO!" You'll have to read the book to see if she does.

Lisi Harrison's Books

On the surface level, Lisi Harrison's books appear superficial and petty. The Clique series is about a group of popular girls and the lengths they will go to stay popular. The girls focus on boys, designer brands, and getting even with girls who cross them. In the Alpha series, the girls are competing for a number one spot in a prestigious school. Some of them will stop at nothing to get to the top. While some parents and even readers may be concerned that the books focus on beauty, fashion, and doing anything to get ahead, the books actually point out that girls are the same: they all want acceptance.

I used The Clique in literature circle a few years ago, and the group of girls who read the book had some amazing discussions about fitting in, what people do to fit in, and how mean girls are to one another. These are topics middle school girls need to discuss.

I recommend these books for middle school girls. It is a great book to read and then discuss as middle school girls face some tough decisions when they try to fit in or become popular.

Chick Lit

I love chick lit. I am not ashamed to say it!

Here are some YA chick lit authors I enjoy.

1. Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot has a unique writing voice; it never gets old. I have read all of her YA books except the Mediator series, and I have enjoyed them all. Her protagonists range from average girls to princesses, yet each character is someone with whom the reader can relate.

Note for parents: some of Meg's books talk about sex (NOT graphic), so that is something parents may want to know. (The Princess Diaries series is the first series by Meg that I would suggest for cautious parents.)

2. Jen Calonita

Jen Calonia's character in the Secrets of my Hollywood Life series is down-to-earth yet fun. She's a nice girl who lives a glamorous life. I like that combination because many of today's girls believe you have to be mean to get ahead or to be popular. This series shows that niceness does win in the end.

3. Melody Carlson: Christian fiction author

Melody Carlson's one of the few Christian fiction writers for teens. (Kristin Billerbeck is coming out with a YA book, and I can't wait!) The TrueColors series can seem a little preachy. In each book, a girl deals with a problem (alcohol, bad boyfriend, tough home life), and she eventually finds her way to Christ. The Carter House series is about several girls, each with her own set of unique problems, living in a boarding house. The Diary of a Teenage Girl series is written in journal form, recording the thoughts of a girl as she goes through high school.

That's all for now.

Some of my Favorite--Middle School

I love young adult literature. Posting my favorite may take a few posts!

1. Ally Carter:

Her books are about strong, independent teenage girls who have more going for them than just finding a boy to like. The Gallagher Girls series is about Cammie, who is a spy in training. The Heist series is about a girl who has been raised in a family full of art thieves. I recommend both series to middle school and high school girls. Ally's books also have the catchiest titles!

2. Jordan Sonnenblick

Jordan Sonnenblick is one of the best at capturing the thoughts and feelings of young adults. I can't tell you how many times I've had students say that he writes like they think. He tackles tough topics in a funny way, and I love his books.

3. Suzanne Collins: Hunger Game series

This series is cutting edge and full of suspense. It's a springboard for great talks about society. The third book comes out in August, and I can't wait to read it!

4. Brandilyn Collins: Christian fiction writer

Brandilyn Collins has teamed with her daughter to write a teen suspense series, which turned out to be a great series. I recommend it to the mystery lovers.

More to come....

Some of my Favorites for Intermediate Grades

Here are some books that I highly recommend. I have not read a lot of books for this age group, so I am sure that there are plenty of other excellent authors who write for this age group. If you know of any good authors, let me know!

Intermediate Grades (4-6)

*Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (This is listed as 4-8, but it is an excellent novel.)

*Ramona series by Beverly Cleary (It's old, but since there's a movie coming out, a lot of kids will want to read them.)

*Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (ages 9-12) All of Lois Lowry's books are great.

*Allie Finkle series by Meg Cabot (note that other Meg Cabot books are not appropriate for this age)

*On the Run series by Gordon Kormon

*39 Clues series by various authors

*Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

*Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (note that most of Sharon Draper's other books are for older readers)

*Main Street Series by Ann M. Martin (who is the author of the Babysitters Club books)

*Mandie Series by Lois Gladys Leppard (Christian)

*Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Broadway Lights by Jen Calonita

Summary: In this 5th book in the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series, Kaitlin Burke, teen star, heads to New York for her Broadway debut. Moving from a TV show to Broadway is a huge change, and Kaitlin must balance learning how to act on stage (with a hateful co-star) with her everyday life, which includes her new friendship with an old enemy. Kaitlin's ready for the Big Apple: the shopping, shows, food, and even SNL. Is she willing to risk her friendships and her boyfriend for the glamour of the big city?

My thoughts: I like this series for middle school girls. It includes the drama of the big city, Hollywood, acting, celebrities, etc. Yet, the romance, back-stabbing, and fears are age appropriate for middle school girls. Kaitlin and Austin only kiss, and there is none of the drug, sex, underage drinking that is often associated with teens in Hollywood. It's a clean book, and I recommend it for the middle school girls who love celebrity stories.

Author's website: jencalonitaonline.com

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Summary:

Melody Brooks is clever, determined, and full of life. She has so much to say. Words fill her every moment and comprise her earliest memories. These same words that bring her joy also haunt her. Even though she has a photographic memory, she has never spoken a word. Melody was born with cerebral palsy and is confined to a body that is uncontrollable, a wheelchair, and the prejudices of those around her who think she must be "stupid" because of her disability. When Melody is introduced to a new laptop that allows her to type words to be spoken, Melody is a given a chance to tell the world the words she has bottled up for almost eleven years. Will she be given a chance show everyone who she really is?






My thoughts:


Without sounding sappy, I must say that Melody's story has stayed with me long after I finished the book. I see her when I see kids in wheelchairs. I remember her when I see kids tease each other in the hallway. I was unsure of the book when I picked it up because it is so different from Draper's other books, but this book has become my favorite. The characters are well-developed and captivating. The story is realistic and depicts the both the positive and negative sides of how handicapped children are treated in the public education system. Because Draper taught for many years, she is a master of capturing the "voices" of students, making her books favorites for students.


This is a story that should be told and shared with kids from intermediate to middle school. Teachers should use this book to talk in literature circles to. The book is told in way that the reader becomes a champion for Melody, wanting to help her beat the odds, which will appeal to kids and teach them much more than a lecture from teachers or parents.


I am buying a second copy for my classroom even though my students are a little older than the protagonist. My students are huge Sharon Draper fans, and I hope this book will cause them to think about how they treat people, specifically those with disabilities, and how they can work hard to overcome any obstacle.






Please note: This book is for ages 10 and up. Sharon Drapers other books are for grades 7 and up at least. While I recommend her books to my students, I wouldn't recommend her other books to intermediate aged children. :)

Cool Beans by Erynn Mangum

Summary: Maya Davis is happy with her life as a barista. She has great friends and a solid family (even if she doesn't measure up to her doctor brother). Her life is turned upside down when her ex-boyfriend shows up in town, doesn't recognize her, and begins dating her roommate Jen! To further complicate things, her "perfect" brother moves back to town, and Jack, her best friend, seems to want more than friendship. Maya begins to struggle with the truth: that she may not be over the past relationship, which affects her relationship with Jesus and her roommate. Will Maya stick her head in the sand and ignore the past that is now glaring her in the face, or will she embrace the truth that God gives? Add coffee and sticky note lists to the mix, and you have a wonderful tale of love, friendship, and family.

What I loved: When you read as much as I do, it's hard to find an author who has a fresh, unique voice. Erynn Mangum has that voice. I loved her style in the Lauren Holbrook series, and that style was definitely in Cool Beans as well. Second, few authors can weave spiritual truths into their novels without sounding preachy. Erynn is good at this. She delved into the topic of honesty in this book, and I felt like I was learning with Maya, not hearing a lecture or sermon. Finally, the book is funny. While the topic of ex-boyfriends, first loves, and being honest are serious topics, this book is balanced with funny coffee jokes, an annoying Parrot, and the flirtations of a romance in the making.

What I didn't like: There was only one thing that I didn't like about this book. One night, Maya is at home waiting for Jen to get home. The book says Maya gets home from work at 11:03 p.m. She then gets annoyed on the next page because it's 10:30 and Jen isn't home. Then it's 12:07 (pm, should be am), and Jen isn't home. I was confused because then I thought Jen hadn't come home all night...then the next page mentions the morning. So, I think it was just typos, but it confused me. This is something an editor should have caught. Again, if this is the biggest problem in a book, then the book is great.

Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who loves books like Kristin Billerbeck or Robin Jones Gunn. It's a fun read that also makes you think about the Bible some. I also think it's a great book for a high school or college aged girl.

I can't wait to read book two in this series.

Take Three by Karen Kingsbury

Summary: In book three of the Above the Line Series, Karen Kingsbury shares another story of trying, failing, and getting back up to try again. Andi is battling the loss of her innocence and what consequences lie ahead from bad choices. Chase and Keith must deal with fame and the trials that accompany sharing faith-inspired stories on the big screen. Karen weaves in fan favorites Ashley and the rest of the Baxter plan. Most importantly, Bailey fans finally find out if she chooses Tim or Cody. (I won't put any spoilers, but I will say that I was very happy with the result.)

My thoughts: I have read all of Karen's books, and I love this series because the characters feel like friends. I have read about their lives for three different serieses, and I feel like I know them.
Without giving away too many spoilers, I want to say how pleased I am with the way the movie production storyline is progressing! It's encouraging for characters to make the right decision. In addition, the Bailey love triangle storyline took a turn in the right direction.
I should not have read any reviews of Karen's books on Amazon because I have now noticed that every new character Karen describes has blue eyes and/or blond hair! No other eye or hair color is discussed as the blue eyes and blond hair are!
Another complaint I have is that every girl who has sex before marriage ends up pregnant. Realistically, this is not the case. Careless sex leaves emotional scars, and I would love to see Karen deal with those issues with a character instead of just having the girl end up pregnant.
Overall, I reallly enjoyed reading this book. It was my favorite one out of the three so far in the series.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. The character of Bailey is one of my favorite, and I enjoyed the contrast of Andi and Bailey, teaching an important lesson about how choices at the college age can determine someone's life path.