Book Review- Envy by Anna Godbersen

Envy by Anna Godbersen
Reviewed by Suzanne Macaulay, Spring City

Envy, the third Luxe novel, is full of the lavish parties and scandalous deeds that have made Anna Godbersen’s series so thrilling. The second book ended with Elizabeth’s return, Diana’s broken heart, and Carolina’s entrance into the posh world of Manhattan’s elite. But more twists and turns lie ahead. What is Elizabeth hiding? Will Penelope win Henry’s heart once and for all? Is Carolina’s new status secure? A trip to balmy Florida is ripe for more secrets and betrayals—what shocking revelations will be made upon returning to Manhattan’s wintery landscape?

Envy picks right up where Rumors left off. Godbersen did not miss a beat and has given fans another juicy read. The fourth and final book, Splendor, is currently being written, and while I cannot wait to read it, I will be very sad to see this glamorous series end. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Book Review

The School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer
Reviewed by Suzanne Macaulay, Spring City

The School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer opens with Angela Cardenas’ first day at reform school. Hidden Oak is mysterious as are the reasons each girl is sent there. Angela vows to unearth the secrets of this ominous place including the school’s tragic history, what happened to the girls that disappeared, and the identity of the secreted headmistress. However, Angela’s detective work is being closely monitored by the sinister staff and she soon realizes that she may never leave Hidden Oak alive.

This book was fast-paced and exciting. While some parts seemed implausible, I was still on the edge of my seat the entire read and had no idea how it would end. The secrets of Hidden Oak will draw you in and leave you wanting more. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Football compilation

With the Superbowl coming up on February 1st, it is time to get ready with a football books about the Steelers and Cardinals. I have also included some Eagles books just in case you can’t get enough of the Birds.

Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers by Mark Stewart

Pittsburgh Steelers : Glory Days by Dale Grdnic.

Cardinals

The History of the Arizona Cardinals by Sara Gilbert

The Arizona Cardinals by Mark Stewart


Eagles

Game of my life. Philadelphia Eagles : memorable stories of Eagles football / Robert Gordon.

Last team standing : how the Steelers and the Eagles - "the Steagles" - saved pro football during World War II by Matthew Algeo.

Friday Night Lights

Are you having a little bit of a football letdown now that the Superbowl is over? Do you want to check out a real story about a high school football team? You might enjoy the book from 1990 called Friday Night Lights : a Town, a Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger. This is the book that the NBC television show is based on.

This is the story of the Permian Panthers high school team in the town of Odessa, Texas. Every Friday night they play to win and they represent the hopes and dream of their fragile West Texas town. With the oil industry a bust and the murder and unemployment rates a concern, the town has rally’s around the players who wear the Permian uniform. This book explores the lives of the young men who wear the uniforms and the town that puts their hopes on these boys. It is not exactly like the TV show, but you might like it

Printz Award Announced

This morning the 2009 Michael L. Printz Award winner and honorees were announced. Given by the Young Adult Library Services Association, YALSA, every year since the year 2000, the Printz award is awarded to the book that “exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.”

Here is the winner:

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (not yet available in the Chester County Library System)

It is the story of seventeen year old Taylor Markham, abandoned by her mother when she was eleven, who is trying to put together the clues about her past as she leads the other students in her dorm in a territory war.

The Honorees:

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II, The kingdom on waves by M.T. Anderson

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Nation by Terry Pratchett

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

To find out more about the Printz award and the honorees see the YALSA award webpage!