The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Wow, the timing was right for reading this hefty 660-page novel, The Other Boleyn Girl. I just returned from taking my 16 year-old daughter to Paris and Amsterdam. One of our excursions included a visit to the Palace of Versailles, home of Marie Antoinette, which is similar to English palaces and life in the Tudor court, the background for this historical novel.

***Warning: This novel has a few sexual passages. As a profession, librarians judge books by their entire content, not a few pages, so I am giving this exciting novel a thumbs up.

The Other Boleyn Girl is a fascinating lesson in English history, specifically the Tudor dynasty, and why our country has the seapration of church and state.

Gregory's book to movie follows the rivalries between the two Boleyn sisters, Mary and Anne, as they rise to court and vie for the attention King Henry VIII at any cost. Manipulation and back stabbing don't even come close to the dangerous games these maidens play to advance the Boleyn family fortune and name.

At the tender age of 14, sweet innocent Mary captures the King's attention and is ordered by her family to become his mistress, since she already married, and bears him two bastard children. Meanwhile, Anne, her vicious and ruthless sister is not about to go unnoticed and linger in her sister's shadow. She wants to be the next Queen of England and nothing will get in her way including her own flesh and blood.

Gregory shows readers with intimate detail life at court including adultery, incest and homosexuality. She pays close attention to historical accuracy and brings an otherwise dull period of history to life through plot and character development.

From history, readers already know the ending of the story. Mary retires from court, moves to the country and marries a commoner, while Henry orders Anne beheaded. As the old saying goes, "What goes around, comes around." Off with her head...So long Anne!

The Other Boleyn Girl is definitely on my top 10 list. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about English history and enjoy a good story.

http://www.philippagregory.com/

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

In this noir coming of age thriller, 15 year-old Evie Spooner quickly grows up, falls in love and realizes her parents, Bev and Joe, are not perfect parents.

In 1947, Joe Spooner unexpectedly returns from WWW ll bringing home more than just war stories. He takes Bev and Evie on an impulsive vacation to a swanky, glittery Palm Beach resort. Pretending to be a man of wealth and influence, Joe strikes of a questionable friendship with the mysterious Graysons. Add to the mix, smooth talking Peter, a handsome old war buddy looking for paybacks from Joe. Coincidentally, Peter is staying at the same hotel as Joe?

On a fast track going nowhere, Evie falls for Peter big time, but he is more interested in Evie's mother, a Lana Turner wanna be looking for a good time. Using Evie as a decoy, Peter and Bev are just a little too friendly, while Joe is buying into shady business deals.

When Joe, Bev and Peter go boating, a tropical storm hits and only two return.

Evie must choose between love and betrayal. In an electric courtroom drama, Evie makes her stand.

http://www.judyblundell.com/

Laura

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

If an entire nation could seek freedom, why not a girl?

If you think walking the dog or folding the laundry is bad, try trading places with Isabel, a 13-year old slave in Manhattan during the American Revolution. Every morning before dawn, Isabel has already hauled water, stoked the fire and emptied chamber pots.

In 1775, Isabel and her younger sister, Ruth, are sold to the Locktons, an evil, wealthy couple with loyalists ties. While fetching water in the bitter cold, Isabel makes friends with Curzon, a slave with rebel connections. In return for freedom, Curzon encourages Isabel to spy on the Locktons.

When the wicked Madam abruptly sells Ruth, Isabel makes a decision jeopardizing and changing her life forever.

Anderson pens an exciting story balancing history with plot. Watch for the sequel, Forge.

http://www.writerlady.com/
Grades 7-10

Laura

Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy

Everyone is looking for JJ, Jennifer Jones, but where and who is she? Six years ago three 10 year-old girls walked into the woods and only two returned. What happened? Only Alice Tully knows the horrendous answer. Will Alice's past always haunt her?

In this award winning young adult novel, the author explores the murder of one child by another, the guilt and redemption and the return to society. Dark, chilling and suspenseful, Cassidy provides readers with an unforgetable novel.

http://www.annecassidy.com/

national children's book week

Celebrate national children's book week

may 11 - 17, 2009

http://www.pageahead.org/

Suggested reading

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/childrensnotable/notablechibooks/index.cfm

http://www.teachersfirst.com/100books.cfm

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

It is 1946, when Memphis bred and educated Laura McAllan reluctantly moves to a cotton farm with her husband, Henry, two daughters and mean-spirited father in-law, Pappy, on the Mississippi delta. Everyday is a struggle with no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. But the real turmoil starts when Jamie, her brother in-law and Ronsel Jackson, a sharecropper's son, return home from fighting the Nazis with demons of their own.

Jordan captures each character's voice with poetic prose, while exposing the racial hatred of the deep South. An unforgettable ending will leave readers thinking about social injustice.

In her debut novel, Jordan won the 2006 Bellwether Prize, which is given to novels addressing social issues. Mudbound also won a 2009 Alex Award, which is given to books written for adults with teen appeal.

Audience - Adult and mature teens
http://hillaryjordan.com/

Laura

Chick Lit for Teens

Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your mug planted on the tabloids, to be trailed by the never ending paparazzi and to be mobbed by gawking autograph hunters? Read Audrey, Wait and find out.

In one afternoon, 16-year old Audrey goes from being an average teen to an instant celebrity. When Audrey dumps her hunky, handsome boyfriend, who just happens to be the lead singer for the popular Do-Gooders, he pens a sensational song about their relationship, which becomes #1 on the Billboards.

Find out how Audrey handles the instant fame and reclaims her life.

Audience - Young Adult
http://www.audreywait.com/

L