Book Review: The Mosts by Melissa Senate

The Mosts. They're the people in high school whom everyone looks to for answers. What are the trends? How should I act? Will I ever be cool?

Madeline Echols has been voted Most Popular ever since returning transformed from a trip abroad. In Italy, she watched people and learned about fashion and returned to Freeport, Maine, a different girl. Before she left, no one noticed her. She was invisible. Once she came back, the hottest guy in school wanted to be her boyfriend and a small clique of popular chicks made her their friend.

But then Madeline's world is rocked. Her hot boyfriend of two years moves to California. She wants to visit him, but she can't afford the plane ticket. She's worried that she'll lose him and her popularity if she can't see him. Her parents are just getting by as dairy farmers, so they can't help her financially.

Suddenly, it seems as if all of Madeline's problems are solved when a group of the losers on the "Not-Most List" offer to pay Madeline for fashion and popularity-coaching. Madeline is torn, but decides to take on three of the school's most notorious pariahs to earn some cash. But, the experience of tutoring these "losers" changes Madeline in ways that she never saw coming. Can she maintain her popularity and her relationships with the other Mosts if she's surrounded by nobodies?

This is a super light, easy read. I read it while sunbathing this afternoon. It was fun, just a little deep, slightly predictable, but not in a bad way. I'll be happy to put it on my free reading shelves for my students in the fall. It's one of those universal tales about humanity being stronger and more important than popularity. And it takes place in Maine, which always fascinates my students!

Thanks to Random House for this ARC.

Book Review: Hush, Hush

I don't know what it is about the state of Maine that has inspired some creepy, paranormal YA plots as of late. Actually, maybe I do know. Unnaturally cold temperatures, days-longs snowstorms, and unpredictable weather may add some mystique and room for weather-driven plot twists. Add to this the typical stand-offish Maine population, and you might just have the perfect recipe for a paranormal romance.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick is just plain awesome. The writing is engaging and the setting feels real (I can attest to this from firsthand experience!). The main character, Nora, is not a suffering damsel in distress. She is feisty and adventure-seeking and more than a little headstrong. I love this about her.

At first, when Nora meets Patch, the story feels like it's going to be a Twilight-remake. Not true. Quickly, you start to wonder if Patch really does have Nora's best interests in mind. And, there's this other boy who seems too sweet and too pushy all at the same time. 

I have read some really, really bad reviews of this book. As in, a lot of people really didn't like it. Most of these reviews are on amazon. I do read a lot of reader reviews before purchasing books and sometimes these reviews sway my purchases. I just cannot afford to be too wrong too often about books, because I already spend so much on books. There are only so many beans and rice dinners my husband will eat before he questions my spending habits.

But, if you're thinking of not reading or buying this book because of the negative reviews you've read, please consider that I absolutely loved this one. And, I am not a huge sucker (forgive the pun) for paranormal romances. It's not my favorite genre of YA. This was incredibly entertaining. I read it in less than two days. No regrets!

Book Review: Need

This week's book is super special because it comes from a Maine author and is set in Maine! I loved reading this book because I could totally picture the setting. If I couldn't all I needed to do was envision one of our famous Nor' Easters and I was all set.

Carrie Jones's Need is about a teen girl named Zara, who moves to rural Maine after her stepfather's death just about paralyzes her. She comes to Maine from South Carolina in the middle of winter to live with her grandmother, a tough Maine woman who works as an EMT.

Zara is readily accepted at her small school, but there have been some weird events and tragedies that have shaken this small town. One boy has disappeared without a trace. A few weeks later, another teen boy is missing. And missing boys aren't the only problem. A strange man is seen standing outside of the school cafeteria, pointing straight at Zara. And there's Megan, a popular girl at school who takes an immediate hatred toward Zara and tries to make Zara's transition to Bedford High as uncomfortable as possible.

When Zara learns that she is surrounded by supernatural beings, she starts to doubt her sanity and her strength to save herself and the people she cares about. But, the role of heroine and human rights advocate is not lost on her. She tries to intervene in this unfamiliar realm, but will she find the missing boys in time to save them?

I loved this book from start to finish. I promise that I was not biased in any way because a fellow Mainer penned this book. It was arranged in an interesting way, with a "phobia" starting every chapter. It was interesting to see how the defined phobia that started each chapter would play out in the narrative. The story was pretty clever and the sequel seems to have its own unique structure. I can't wait to read it!

On My Wishlist: Captivate

So, this may be a little too early to call, but so far Carrie Jones's Need is one of the best books I've read in a while. Of course, I've only read like 30 or 40 pages, but I am already hooked. Jones's writing style is so appealing to me, and her choice of setting (Maine)(where I live) is easy for me to imagine.

I had never really heard of Carrie Jones until recently, and at first I did not feel any rush purchase her book. Then I found out that Jones was a Maine author and thought that my students might be interested in her books. (Maine people love Maine authors. We're proud to claim Stephen King and many other writers!) I did not anticipate, though, that I was going to love Need as much as I have so far.

It looks like I'm going to have to get a copy of Captivate soon so that I don't have to stop reading. This won't be on my wishlist for long!

I NEED This Book!

I've been wanting to read Need by Carrie Jones for a while now. When I first read the synopsis for this series, I knew that it would fit my reading tastes, but when I found out that Carrie Jones was a Maine author I KNEW I needed to get my hands on a copy of the book!

Now, Red House Books is offering this title and the sequel, Captivate as part of a giveaway that ends on April 16th. So, there's still plenty of time for you to enter!

Book review: Asta in the Wings

Asta in the Wings is a heartbreaker of a story. I don't know how else to describe it. The main character and narrator, Asta, is an endearing little seven year-old who has a penchant for the dramatic. She is best friends with her nine year-old brother, Orion. Orion is less dramatic but gifted in math and science. They live alone with their mother. And, their mother is a bit of a lunatic.

For as long as they can remember, Asta and Orion have been locked in their rural Maine home. They have literally never played outside, never gone into a store, never ridden a bus or talked with a stranger. Why? Because their mother has lead them to believe that there is a plague outside of their house and bodies are piled on street corners. That's not all. Germs are everywhere and food is contaminated. Their mother bolts them inside their house every day and leaves them to care for themselves. While alone, they create a number of games and stories to keep their minds occupied, but not can save them from the day that their mother fails to return home after work.

Emaciated and freezing, Orion and Asta venture out into the unfamiliar and dangerous world, trying to find a telephone and someone to help them find their mother. Before long, the strangers they encounter take pity on these rail-thin children and call the police. Their mother is eventually found, but Orion and Asta's lives will never be the same. As crazy as it sounds, their bond with their mother and with each other was deep and important. Once it is disrupted, can these two young children ever move past their dysfunctional, neglectful childhoods?

I read this book for my local teacher-rific book club. I am happy I did. This is Jan Elizabeth Watson's first novel. Maine authors tend to write prolifically, though, so I expect that there are more great reads to come!