Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

5 stars
reread

I love this book.  I had forgotten just how much I love this book.

This was a Great Reads for Girls pick, but we couldn't go that month and so Boo still hasn't read it.  Which is a shame, 'cause it's just so darn good.

And you know what?  I love the movie too.

Not because it at all resembles the book.  Because it really really doesn't.  But it's cute.  (Though if you haven't seen the alternate ending in the deleted scenes, you totally need to.  They really should have used it.)

I had forgotten, though, just how much more DEPTH the book has!  And how closely it follows the original Cinderella tale.

Overall, always recommended.  :)

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Okay, so I've reviewed this before, but I read it again last month and it just doesn't get old!

LOVE this book.

Mibs and her friends and especially her quirky savvy-ridden family are just so much fun.

If you haven't read it, you totally should.

And if you know a 9-14 year old who hasn't read it, get it for them.  Then get them Scumble. 

:)

River Secrets by Shannon Hale

5 stars
R-0
YF/YA
Reread

I love this book.  I think it's quite possibly my favorite of the Bayern books.  Don't get me wrong, I love Isi and Enna and I enjoyed Forest Born (review soon), but I LOVE this one.

Why?

Razo.

I love Razo.  He's adorable.  He's hilarious.  From his hair that sticks straight up (on purpose... he's short) to his amazing denseness, he's just cute.

Speaking of hair sticking up.....

We've been calling this "Memo Hair" for Mehmet Okur (and you should really click that link... the photo's great) but now I may have to call it "Razo Hair".  :D

Anyway, what was I talking about?  Oh right, the book.

The war with Tira is over and Bayern sends an ambassador to help mantain the fledgeling peace.  But many Tirans aren't happy about the peace to begin with, let alone being happy about a whole crew of Bayern showing up in the capital.  As time runs out before the assembly votes on returning to war, Razo must figure out what's going on and who's behind it all... or their peace delegation will become the first prisoners, if not casualties, of war.

If you can, get the paperback with the extra stuff at the end.  The note from Shannon Hale about Razo is great.  She loves him too.  :D

This book counts for both the Support Your Local Library Challenge AND the Support Your Local Authors Challenge!!

Goose Girl and Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

5 stars
R-0
YF/YA
Reread

I love this book.  I really do.  I loved it when I first read it and I loved it again this time around.

I'm not familiar with the tale it's based on, but Shannon Hale does a fabulous job in her rendering.  As Isi grows and becomes more confident, you can't help but root for her.



5 Stars
R-0
YF/YA
Reread

And can I tell you how much I love that Shannon Hale added to the story?  Enna's story is a wonderful addition to Isi's.

Just as Isi learned to communicate with the wind, Enna learns fire, which is at once beautiful and destructive.

I really love Enna.  Even if there is that annoying bit where she doesn't see through what's his nose.  She makes up for it later.  :D

Both of these books count for Support Your Local Authors and Support Your Local Library.