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I read this book a couple of years ago; it was really pretty cute. I haven't had the chance to read any of the others in this series, but hopefully will one of these days. Enjoy the freebie! =)

A Leap of Faith by Sabine S. Goldman

A Leap of Faith by Sabine S. Goldman
Geared Towards: Ages 9-12
Published By: Strategic Book Publishing
Publication Date: July 2009
ISBN: 978-1-60693-954-3

We live in a world full of endless possibilities and opportunities. Countless events take place every moment just outside our view, but just because we do not see these things happen does not make them any less real. What if just outside our realm of knowledge and understanding there was another whole world of life? What if legends and tales of days gone by were true? What if faeries, or rather Pixies, actually were to co-exist alongside our human world?

According to Sabine S. Goldman's, A Leap of Faith, such a reality is not so far fetched. Pixies do exist and take up residence in many places within our human realm. And one place in particular that they call home is Windhill Tree.

Life in the Windhill Tree should be blissful; but Faith, a fiery sixteen year old Pixie, has never felt like she fit in. Compared to the other Pixies in her home, Faith both looks and acts differently. Unlike others of her kind, her heart desires to explore, and explore she does. But when Faith's father finds out that her love of exploration has been taking her beyond her community's borders to observe the humans he is furious. Not only is interacting with humans incredibly dangerous, it's also expressly forbidden by the Pixie code.

After being found out by her father, Faith can't stand to sit around and see her punishment come to pass. She has been told that her lightening ceremony is to be canceled, but a Pixie who goes without her lighting ceremony is doomed. It is at this time only that a Pixie will gain her powers, including the ability to always fly. If she is to be denied her chance at a full Pixie life, Faith can't begin to imagine what she will do. Her interest in humans has always been hard to ignore, but certainly just watching from the sidelines can't warrant this kind of punishment.

It doesn't take long for Faith to realize the gravity of her misjudgement. Deep in thought on her favorite red mushroom with white polka dots, she never notices the humans getting closer. And before she can even realize what has happened, Faith finds herself caught up in the hand of a human girl. This particular girl, Sam, is one Faith has watched diligently over time. Something about her in particular has always drawn Faith's attention, yet now with no space between them Faith understands how serious her miscalculations might have been.

Faith's journey doesn't end here; however, I don't want to give away any more of the story or else you won't have any reason to read it for yourself. And that, my fellow bookworms, would be completely unfair to both you and the author. Sabine S. Goldman has done a fabulous job creating Faith's world and telling her story. Perfect for any young adult whether this reader has a pre-existing interest in the world Pixies and/or faeries or not.

I found the story to be quite endearing, and Faith's lone spirit is an aspect I know many young readers can relate to. Feeling outcast and alone is, sadly, an all too common complaint in today's society, but as readers will discover it does not have to be that way. You are never alone, no matter how different you are. Friends come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and from all walks of life. And if it takes a tiny Pixie to get this point across so be it!

I had one small complaint in regards to the story development, but it's hard to be too specific without giving anything important away. I guess the easiest way to explain would be to simply say that I found part of the story's progression about 9/10ths of the way through to be somewhat unbelievable. Based on information given earlier in the book it just didn't fit. The way some of the character's responded to certain events seemed all too easy, like the progression was rushed in order to draw the story to a close. I don't know. Maybe I'm way off base and reading too much in to things. I guess I'll leave that up to you, the other readers, to decide.

Despite this minor criticism, I must say it was an absolute pleasure to discover and read this little gem. Infact, my deepest thanks go out to Sabine for allowing me this review opportunity. THANK YOU!! Looking forward to seeing what twists and turns A Leap of Faith- A New Beginning, Ms. Goldman's next installment takes.


OUR RATING: 4 hearts

Jeri Smith-Ready's SHADE

I love Jeri Smith-Ready's adult/young adult books. She's amazing. Now she's got a new teen fiction debut, Shade; I just can not wait to read it!

Book Preview from Jeri Smith-Ready's website (found here)

Love ties them together.
Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plan for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Look for the sequel, SHIFT, coming May 2011!!

Check out the book trailer and the soundtrack she envisioned going along with it. :)



Click the below link to listen to the soundtrack.
http://www.playlist.com/playlist/19638927883/standalone

Updating

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Ivy & Bean: Doomed to Dance by Annie Barrows

Ivy & Bean: Doomed to Dance by Annie Barrows
Illustrated By: Sophie Blackall
Geared Towards: Ages 6-10
Published By: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: November 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8118-6266-0

When you were a young girl, did you ever want to run away? Were you ever so thoroughly convinced that a broken limb or a horrible sickness might be the preferred option when up against something you really truly didn't want any part of? Did you ever convince your parents you wanted to participate in something that you all too soon discovered wasn't what you'd expected? Did you ever beg out only to be denied?

All of these and more are true for Ivy and Bean the characters of Annie Barrows' early chapter book Ivy & Bean Doomed to Dance.

Ivy and Bean are the best of friends, and these best friends are now cast as the unseemly "friendly squids" for their ballet recital. This is not at all what either of the girls signed up for. Who know ballet would be so awful? It was supposed to be fun like it was portrayed in The Royal Book of the Ballet. In the story of Giselle there was dancing, the kicking off of heads, stabbing, and death. It was a ballet about an out and out brawl, far more entertaining than Wedding Beneath the Sea.

When the girls first got their bright idea to sign up for ballet, each had had to talk her parents into letting her go, and it wasn't an easy sell. Both Ivy and Bean had had to promise they wouldn't whine or complain, nor would they give up. But being stuck playing the part of a squid certainly warranted a small bit of whining, right? Mom and dad will surely understand and allow them to drop out of dance class. Wrong! Quitting is not an option.

If they are to have a chance at outsmarting Madame Joy and making it out of the recital alive and without looking ridiculous as squid they're going to have to really start brainstorming. There are several options available to them. They could break an arm, get sick, or even run away. None of these options are ideal, but Ivy and Bean are prepared to do what it takes to get out dancing in Madame Joy's stupid ballet recital if it's the last thing they do.

I had heard of the Ivy and Bean books before, but this isn't a series my daughter had yet started on so neither had I. I have to say that I thought the storyline was really pretty cute, and I enjoyed how the author seemed to understand her characters. Reading as a parent it was very easy for me to see how true to form they really were. Little girls are indecisive and constantly changing their minds on what they like and don't like, want to do and don't want to do. They're bossy and don't like to be told what to do. They embarrass easily, and they are very curious young creatures. It's true that girls can be very mysterious, even from a young age, and as such it's hard to always figure them out. Ivy and Bean are no different.

There was never any question in my mind that this book told a great, engaging story that any little girl would enjoy reading. I will admit though that when it started out I was a little taken aback by the dark tone of the discussion Ivy and Bean were having about ballet and Giselle in particular. Seemed that bloody toes, murder, and suicide were all a bit much for a book geared at such a young age group. The story quickly turned from this towards a more lighthearted direction, and I understand why the author chose to incorporate these earlier aspects into her story. I just can't see handing the book over to my own 6 year old (who reads at a 4-5th grade level) to read just yet. I don't doubt that she'd enjoy the story and probably wouldn't even think too much of this initial bit, but I don't know...

All things considered I'd certainly recommend the book; I'd just do so with a slight warning as I've already done here. As a whole I think Ive & Bean: Doomed to Dance will be a real crowd pleaser among 1st to 4th grade girls. The story itself, told through eleven short chapters, is something they'll be able to relate to and laugh over. Plus the illustrations, done by Sophie Blackall, do a wonderful job of visually cataloging Ivy and Bean's adventure.

**Thanks to Chronicle Books for giving me this review opportunity.**

OUR GRADE: 4 hearts

The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz

The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz
Illustrated By: Angela Barrett
Geared Towards: Ages 7-11
Published By: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: February 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3674-6

Laura Amy Schlitz, acclaimed author and Newbery Medal Winner, has recently released her new illustrated fiction title, The Night Fairy. Flory, a night fairy, must learn how to survive when the tables are turned and she suddenly finds herself without a wings. A fairy without wings? Nonsense! Unfortunately though, this is not the case.

As the author explains early on, fairies do not make good parents. So it is not uncommon at all for a young fairy to be left on her own to make her way through the big, amazing, and oh so very dangerous world. This normally would not be a problem, but for Flory the trouble comes when a little brown bat mistakes her for a moth. It only takes the creature a moment to realize the error of his ways; however, even by then the damage is already done.

Flory, barely as tall as a single acorn, finds herself, a night fairy, wingless and alone. Uncertain as to what else she might do, Flory quietly locates a shelter [a giant's bird house] for herself and begins to brainstorm. To be a night fairy is to see and experience such undeniable beauty and awe. Still, without wings the dark of night is very dangerous and difficult to navigate.

It's a bittersweet day when Flory determines that despite her heritage, it is now the day that offers her the most likely rewards and benefits- such as food, safety, and survival. With that, Flory renounces her night fairy name, and begins to live as a day fairy. But even the sunlight hours are full of obstacles and dangers galore. Flory must learn to not only live as a day fairy but to survive as one as well.

Flory doesn't cater to anyone and quickly comes to the realization that someone as small as herself must learn to demand respect if she's going to get anywhere in life. And a wild temperment is just what the doctor prescribed. Bold and brazen, Flory steps out of the dark and in to the light as a day fairy. Determined to survive, she wastes no time in making the necessary demands of those creatures around her, most specifically Skuggle the squirrel.

Despite the fact that he is more than double her size, Skuggle is an easy pawn. His tiny squirrel brain thinks almost always of food. And a hungry squirrel can easily be bought and coerced into doing exactly what one wants. It's not always easy, but soon Flory has Skuggle wrapped around her little finger and is able to travel the garden as she pleases.

As she grows, Flory begins to discover she knows more and more magic. All the same, and even with a friend of size on her side, Flory must still be consciencious of her surroundings and never forget for a moment where she comes from.

The Night Fairy is compact little book, but the story it contains within its pages is anything but simple. Full of drama and adventure this is the kind of fantasy that leaves the reader envisioning a sequel. The well thought out story combined with the beautiful watercolor illustrations make this short tale almost classical in style. It won't take you long to read it, and I guarantee you it won't just be because of the size. Schlitz's storytelling ability leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat as you root for Flory and her friend(s). You don't want the story to end, but as far as this particular installment is concerned you are left feeling satisfied and content. For the author leaves no strings untied, and does a wonderful job of bringing her story full circle.

This delightful little tale of fancy is one I look forward to sharing with my own daughters. So thank you, Candlewick, for the review copy and opportunity. It's been a real pleasure!

OUR GRADE: 4 hearts

Rose's Garden by Peter H. Reynolds

Rose's Garden by Peter H. Reynolds
Geared Towards: Ages 3 and Up
Published By: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: October 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4641-7

Rose's Garden is an imaginative tale with a beautiful and inspirational sentiment. Written in dedication to Rose Fitzgerarld Kennedy herself, this story is meant to show the resplendent joy that a little hope, faith, and love can bring about.

Rose is a wee girl, traveling the world in her giant tea pot. As she travels from one exotic land to another Rose slowly fills her incredible ship with seeds to remind her of each and every place. After a time her grand tea pot is overflowing with seeds, and with no further room Rose sets her sights on a place where her amazing journey can come to a halt.

Once she finds a place to dock, Rose sets out to discover just the right spot for her glorious garden. It doesn't take long before she stumbles on to an ugly, abandoned lot just perfect for what she has in mind. Upon returning to her ship, however, Rose is dismayed to find that birds have swooped in and selfishly eaten all but a small handful of her prized seeds.

Most people would find such a thing so depressing that all hope would be lost, but Rose is not most people. Unwilling to let a trivial detail such as this get her down, she scoops up the few remaining seeds and heads back to nestle them gently in the dirt. But time and the elements seem to be against Rose. Despite everything she does, her garden just won't grow.

As word of her dream spreads, Rose suddenly discovers that she is not alone in wanting to make the world a more beautiful place around her. Children of all ages and color begin coming to her from around the community to share in her faith of a more beautiful tomorrow. Bringing with them colored paper flowers in all brilliant shades and designs, Rose's garden slowly begins to sprout forth before her eyes. It's not quite what she had initially envisioned, yet it's absolutely perfect.

This lovely little picture book tells an endearing story ripe with originality and lots of heart. It's a story that not only inspires you to take in all the beauty around you, but to go after it without holding anything back. Life's an adventure but it can be amazing if you just allow yourself to dream big and never let go of your faith.

OUR GRADE: 5 hearts