The Chronicles of Avonlea Series by L.M. Montgomery

SYNOPSIS:  This collection of short stories takes place in Avonlea.  Although there are some stories featuring our beloved characters, there are others included to add to the volume, as well.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I loved this book.  I like to have an audiobook downloaded at all times to listen to while I am working out, and librivox.org makes catching up on the classics so easy.  My favorite story in the book was "The Materializing of Cecil." This book would be great for any audience, but is based mostly on adults, so I would recommend it for Pre-teens and above for that reason.

RATING:  PG for Subject Matter

AUDIENCE:  Teens, Young Adults, Adults (Pre-teens, also, if they are up to it.)

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Story Girl, Anne of Green Gables

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

SYNOPSIS:  This story is actually two stories in one.  One is about Ben, whose mother has just died, and finds himself adrift in the world. The other, told mostly in pictures, is about Rose, living decades previously, who is a Deaf girl in an unaccommodating world.  Their stories converge in a surprising way.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Like The Invention of Hugo Cabret, this story is great for reluctant readers because it is interspersed with many pictures, a book that straddles the line between picture book and chapter book.  However, the subject matter is slightly more mature, and more dramatic, so I would recommend it for slightly older readers.

RATING:  PG for Subject Matter

AUDIENCE:  Pre-teens and Teens

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Dave at Night

Virals by Kathy Reichs

SYNOPSIS:  Tori Brennan, niece of Temperance Brennan, lives on an island owned by a university, which studies wildlife.  She and her friends stumble into the middle of an experiment on a wolf-pup, and end up catching a human version of a disease that affects only dogs.  The disease ends up having some strange and supernatural side effects.  As Tori and her friends get swept up in a mystery, their side effects come in handy.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book was exciting and had just the right mix of girl power and adventure.  However, there was some pretty strong language in it, so I would only recommend it to older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Language

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Maximum Ride, I Am Number Four

Click Here to see the critique of the next book in the series.

The Story Girl Series by L.M. Montgomery

SYNOPSIS:  Beverly and his brother Felix go to live with their cousins while their father is away.  While there, they meet the Story Girl, a cousin who is good at telling stories.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  These books were great, and would be wonderful read-alouds to younger children, because of their layout.  The books mostly consist of stories, but also include everyday happenings amongst the cousins and friends.  I think L.M. Montgomery is a genius at capturing childlike innocence and everyday cares.  However, it might be hard reading to younger readers, so for that reason, I would recommend it more for precocious readers.

RATING:  G

AUDIENCE:  All

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Eight Cousins, Little House in the Big Woods

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

SYNOPSIS:  Chrysanthemum Everstar isn't a fully-qualified Fairy Godmother yet.  She's only a "Fair" Godmother.  To earn extra credit, she decides to help one of the Delano sisters find her happily ever after.  However, things don't happen exactly as she plans.  In the end, Savannah will have to find a way to save herself from her wishes.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book would be fun, and relatively innocent reading for a teen.  However, it wasn't the best storytelling I've ever read.  I would recommend it for younger readers, but would not consider it to be "literature."

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Teens

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Palace of Mirrors, Ella Enchanted

To read about the next book in the series, click here.

Small Persons with Wings by Ellen Booraem

SYNOPSIS:  Mellie has always been able to see fairies.  One was her constant companion as a child.  However, when he leaves right before she was planning to show him to her classmates, she becomes the butt of their jokes.  When her grandfather mysteriously disappears, she and her parents move, and she discovers there is a lot more to their story than she knows.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was an entertaining story, with fun fantasy, and a believable main character.  The content is age appropriate, and it would make good reading for a pre-teen or teen.  However, it might not be as interesting to an older audience.

RATING:  PG for subject matter (including bullies)

AUDIENCE:  Pre-teens and Teens

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Artemis Fowl, Witch and Wizard

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

SYNOPSIS:  "Mary" writes about time she has spent with her friends in Cranford, a town full of spinsters.  It is a story of daily comings and goings amongst people in a small town.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This wasn't my favorite book for a few reasons.  First of all, characters die just about as soon as you get to know them.  Secondly, some of the events were a little dull and monotonous, which would be hard for a reluctant reader to get through.  Finally, the main character, who is narrating the story, is practically invisible.  She doesn't really describe herself, or her own life.  However, the story is a charming portrait of the past, and is humorously and honestly told.  I would recommend it for an older reader, based on difficulty, but it would be appropriate for anyone based on content.

RATING:  G or PG

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult or Adult

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Anne of Green Gables, Wives and Daughters, Eight Cousins 

Fallen by Lauren Kate

SYNOPSIS:  Luce finds herself in a reform school after a boy mysteriously burns to death while she is alone with him.  She is drawn to two different boys at the school, and tries to discover their histories, realizing along the way that they are not ordinary boys.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is another Twilight-type book that found its way into my digital check-out cart.  Although the writing was better than some other similar types of books I've read, I still felt it was a little moody and dramatic for me.  Aside from a lot of kissing, and some violence, the content wasn't too shocking, though.  I would recommend it for older readers who enjoy dark and dramatic books.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and some Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  2 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Twilight, City of Bones, Kane Chronicles

To read a brief update about future books in the series, click here.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

SYNOPSIS:  Grace finds herself drawn to the wolves that live in the woods by her house, even after a severe attack by them.  One wolf, especially, draws her to him, and she discovers that he is a werewolf, who transforms into a boy she quickly falls in love with.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  It's the same old story:  supernatural boy falls in love with ordinary girl, followed by several chapters of teen angst and lust.  Honestly, I checked this out of the digital library as an audiobook, thinking it looked interesting, but it ended up being more of a bad copycat of Twilight.  Also, it had some violence in it, and some strong sensuality.  I wouldn't recommend it, since I spent half the book rolling my eyes, and the other half cringing back from the content.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Strong Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

STARS:  1

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Twilight, Fallen

The Selection by Kiera Cass

SYNOPSIS:  At her family's request, America puts her name into the Selection, a group of girls from which the Prince will choose a bride.  Although she is already in love with someone else, she feels she will never be chosen, and enters to make her mother happy.  When her boyfriend breaks off their relationship, and she is chosen among the group, she decides to be completely honest with the prince from the start, and quickly becomes his friend.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was futuristic without being violent, and the main character in it chose to be honest, even when it put her in danger to do so.  Personally, I think there are too many books that make dishonestly look like the right choice.  In this book, the main character is honest, and it works in her favor.  However, there are other situations in which she is not completely forthcoming, so she's not completely faultless.  Also, the other characters' reactions don't seem totally realistic to me.  All in all, I would recommend the book.  However, there is some sensuality and sexual reference in the book, as well as some mild language, so I would recommend it for older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Mild Sensuality and Sexual Reference

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Matched, Princess Academy, Divergent

SYNOPSIS:  Maxon has narrowed down the Selection to the Elite six.  While he decides which girl to choose as his wife, America must choose whether to give her heart to Maxon or Aspen.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  As the book progressed, I increasingly found myself losing patience with America.  She is impulsive, rash, dramatic and emotional.  She doesn't seem to have much sense, yet everyone seems to love her.  Also, the second book in the series was less light-hearted and more dramatic, with increased violence.  I felt a little let down after the first of the series.

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Sensuality

STARS:  3

SYNOPSIS:  Now that there are only four girls left in the Selection, with America on shaky ground, she realizes she will have to decide whether she wants to stay, and fight for what she wants.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I lost even more patience with America and her little temper tantrums with book 3 of the series.  In addition, there was quite a bit more violence in the last of the trilogy, with over-the-top sensuality, as well.  I was disappointed with this book.  I think I'd recommend ending after book 1.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Sensuality and Sexual References

STARS:  2

The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore

SYNOPSIS:  The third book in the I Am Number Four series picks up where the last left off, as Four and Nine try to save Sam, and Six, with Marina and Ten's help, tries to locate the missing Garde members.  

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  If you like the series, this book will fulfill your expectations and leave you counting down for the next installment.  However, as with the other two, there is strong violence, so I would only recommend the book to older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Language

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Maximum Ride, Gone, I Am Number Four

Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos

SYNOPSIS:  Chloe signs on for what she thinks is a game show based on Jane Austen knowledge, only to discover that it is actually a reality dating show.  As she tries to make her way through the show toward the substantial prize, she discovers all is not as it seems.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I am only including this book in an effort to be thorough, because I would definitely not recommend it.  I checked it out from the e-library, and found it lacking.  The heroine is shallow, the storyline is unbelievable, and the ending is rushed and unsatisfactory.  There was also quite a bit of sensuality in it, which I don't appreciate.  Basically, this is one of those books which uses Jane Austen's fan base to promote a story that has no chance of fulfilling its expectations.

RATING:  PG13 for Strong Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Adults

STARS:  1

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Fancy Pants, A Posse of Princesses

Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

SYNOPSIS:  Beatrice lives in a time when society is separated into five different factions:  Dauntless, Abnegation, Amity, Candor, and Eurodite.  When she turns sixteen, she is expected to choose either to stay in Abnegation, or join another faction.  This choice sets her on a course that will bring adventure and danger.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This series is exciting and fast-paced.  It definitely kept my attention.  However, it had some Sensuality, and Violence.  I would recommend the series for older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Violence

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Hunger Games, Matched

3 Willows by Ann Brashares

SYNOPSIS:  Three girls find they are growing apart from each other.  During a summer in which they go their separate ways, they each face important issues, and find they miss the friendship they once had.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is a spin-off of the Traveling Pants series, but works alone, as well.  It is a similar story-line and has similar content (some sensuality).  However, I thought it was well written, and addresses some important issues (including eating disorders).  I would recommend it for more mature readers.

RATING:  PG with some sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Along for the Ride, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Gone by Michael Grant

SYNOPSIS:  Sam is at school when suddenly his teacher disappears into thin air.  He finds that every other person above the age of 15 has disappeared also.  Because of heroic actions in his youth, Sam is looked on as a leader, and reluctantly tries to help the youth of his town find order in the midst of complete disorder.  However, he finds others want to be in charge, and when some of the teens and animals start exhibiting supernatural abilities, fighting breaks out amongst the teens.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This sounds like a fun idea, but it quickly got too dark for me.  The author didn't pull any punches, and there is some quite disturbing imagery, as well as what I would consider gratuitous violence.  In my opinion, this was too mature for the intended audience.  However, I admittedly have a low tolerance for violence, so I'm sure others would disagree with me.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Language, and some mild Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Maze Runner, I am Number Four, 13 Days to Midnight

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

SYNOPSIS:  Rebecca Bloomwood is a financial journalist with a shopping problem.  She can't seem to curb her spending, even when she is thousands of dollars in debt.  She tries to creatively find her way out of her tangle of bills.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although the narration in this book is clever and funny, there is some strong language, as well as sensuality and sexual references.  Definitely not for younger readers, and maybe not for older readers, either.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Language

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Princess Diaries, The Nanny Diaries

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

SYNOPSIS:  Lina and Doon are friends living in Ember, a city founded by The Builders over 200 years earlier.  Things are changing--food is running out, the power cuts off at times, and the town's leaders are corrupt.  Lina tries to unravel the mysteries of the city, with the help of Doon.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This is a good series for younger readers.  It is exciting and mysterious, and the characters in the book are courageous and smart.  I would recommend it readers of any age.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Pre-Teen

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Matilda, Dave at Night

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

SYNOPSIS:  Two sisters are growing up in the late 19th century upper class.  While others try to pair them up advantageously, they try to find true love.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I think I am getting better at judging books by their covers, but I was disappointed in this book.  It felt more like a trashy romance novel than a book of substance to me.  It includes a lot of drama and some sensuality, without any real payoff in terms of storyline.  I wouldn't recommend this book, and would definitely not recommend it to young readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality, Language, and some Violence

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  0

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  A Great and Terrible Beauty, similar to Gossip Girl in book format

The Agency Series by Y.S. Lee

SYNOPSIS:  Mary is caught as a thief and sentenced to death.  She is rescued, however, and taken on at an all-girls' academy.  Eventually, she shows both the talent and desire to help them with their undercover agency.  She is sent to spy on a rich man suspected of illegal dealings.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  These weren't the best mystery I've ever read, but it was entertaining.  It had lots of adventure, and plenty of "girl power" moments that would keep the attention of teenage girls.  However, there was some violence, and some mild sensuality, so I would recommend it for Teens and Young Adults.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Violence

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Nancy Drew, A Great and Terrible Beauty

Beastly by Alex Flinn

SYNOPSIS:  Kyle is one of the most popular, handsome boys at his school--and he knows it.  He is an unapologetic snob, and goes out of his way to be rude to others.  Finally, a witch decides to put him in his place and turn him into a hideous beast.  Only true love can break the spell.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  At first glance, this looks like a typical fairy tale retelling.  However, it is geared toward an older audience, and has violence and sensuality in it.  There is a lot of focus on teenage issues, but I thought it was more appropriate for an older audience.  It was a fun idea, but I don't think I would recommend it.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Language, and Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Briar Rose, Princess of the Midnight Ball

Emily Hudson by Melissa Jones

SYNOPSIS:  Emily is sent away from her boarding school for improper behavior.  She is left at her uncle's mercy, and he tries to find her a suitable match.  However, she fights against the bonds she feels are tightening around her, and runs away with her cousin to Europe.  Unfortunately, he begins to see her as a possession, and soon, she has to escape from another unhealthy relationship and try to find herself.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was another audiobook I checked out from the library, and was a little hard to get through.  I imagine it would have been even harder if I had been reading it instead of listening to it.  I found the heroine to be dramatic and inconstant, and couldn't really interest myself in what happened to her.  There was some mild sensuality in the book, including a brief relationship with a married man, so I would recommend this book only for young adults or adults.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults, Adults

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Juliet, North and South

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

SYNOPSIS:  Two kids from the nineties realize they can log into their future facebook accounts and see what their future is like.  They get caught up in trying to change their futures and question what they really want.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This was an audiobook that I checked out and wasn't impressed with.  It's kind of a fun concept, but poorly executed.  Also, there was a lot of sexual references in the book.  In all, I'd skip this read.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Language

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

STARS:  1

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Missing series, Along for the Ride

Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake

SYNOPSIS:  Sydney is about to marry a man she can't stand.  Instead she decides to seek sanctuary with her estranged uncle, who owns a ranch.  However, through a misunderstanding, as well as desperate circumstances, she ends up disguising herself as a ranch hand and working on his ranch instead.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book was cheesy and predictable.  It wasn't really my style.  Also, it had a strong Christian theme, which may turn off some readers.  However, for fans of romantic historical fiction without distasteful content, this could be a fun read.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

STARS:  2 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Sarah's Garden, The Measure of a Lady

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

SYNOPSIS:  This story follows two young magicians who are unwittingly placed opposite each other in a magician's duel.  They work together to create a circus that dreams are made of.  In the process, they fall in love.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  The imagery in this book is amazing.  It's like a whole other world.  However, it is an adult book, and has strong language (and by that, I mean that the "F" word is used once), as well as some violence and strong sensuality.  

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, Sensuality, and strong language

AUDIENCE:  Adults

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  It reminded me of the movie The Illusionist, or maybe The Invention of Hugo Cabret for adult audiences.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

SYNOPSIS:  Rhine lives in a time when diseases are a thing of the past.  However, women no longer live past 20, and men no longer live past 25.  When they reach those ages, they become ill and die.  Because of the rarety of women in child-bearing years, girls are often kidnapped, and forced into plural marriage, so that they can have children before they die.  This is exactly what happens to Rhine, and she tries to escape so that she can find her twin brother and be free again.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This story is well-told and exciting.  I enjoyed it, and read the second book in the trilogy, also.  However, because of the subject matter (polygamy), it had some sensuality, and what I would consider a sexual predator in it.  For that reason, I would reserve the book for Young Adult readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence, and Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Divergent, The Host

For updates on later books in this trilogy, click here.

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

SYNOPSIS:  Everyone is shaken when a girl from Kendall's school disappears.  When her best friend Nico starts acting strange, she is caught up in a mystery that will draw her into dangerous territory.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book was thrilling and scary.  There was some language, as well as some violence and disturbing imagery, so I would recommend this only for older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Language

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  13 Days to Midnight, The Face on the Milk Carton

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

SYNOPSIS:  John is a soldier who has very little to tie him down.  While on leave, he meets Savannah, and they fall into a whirlwind romance.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  There is a lot of buzz about Nicholas Sparks, so I wanted to try out some of his books, but after sampling a few of his books, I don't think I will try any more, because his books are essentially romance novels, sometimes with strong sensuality, and I'm not a fan.  I would give the same rating for The Lucky One, but A Walk to Remember and The Last Song were somewhat milder.

RATING:  PG13 for strong Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Adults (Young Adults for A Walk to Remember and The Last Song)

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Lucky One

Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix

SYNOPSIS:  Cecilia knows she is a princess.  For her protection, she has lived in hiding until she will be ready to return to the throne.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I thought this was a fun fairy-tale type story.  It had adventure and mystery, without any content that would be inappropriate for younger readers.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Pre-Teen

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Ever, Goose Girl

13 Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman

SYNOPSIS:  Jacob Fielding finds he is indestructible, after his foster dad tells him so right before they crash head-on into a tree.  Jacob walks away without a scratch, while  his foster dad is killed.  He and his friends Ophelia and Milo discover that the gift can be transferred from one person to another, with dangerous consequences.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I was thinking this book would be an adventure featuring a teen with superpowers.  However it was much darker than that.  In the end, it was more like a thriller, with demonic characters who had evil motives.  For that reason, along with sensuality, I would be reluctant to recommend this book, and would only do so for more mature readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Violence and Sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  I am Number Four, Cryer's Cross

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

SYNOPSIS:  Colin is attracted to girls named Katherine.  After a breakup with his 19th Katherine, he goes on a journey with his friend Hassan to forget her.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I will openly admit that I didn't read this book all the way.  I read a little bit at the beginning, and found out that it was not what I had imagined.  There was a lot of crude humor in it, and sexual jokes, and I was offended to the point of not finishing it.  I wanted to list it here on my blog so that someone else will know what they are getting into before starting on it.

RATING:  PG13 or R (like I said, I didn't finish it, but it was going down that road.) for sensuality and crude humor

AUDIENCE:  Adult

STARS:  0

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

SYNOPSIS:  Princess Rose is under a curse, which requires her and her sisters to dance with the sons of King Under Stone, who lives below the earth.  A returned solder, Galen, tries to discover their secret so he can rescue them.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  A fun retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses," although it wasn't really original in my opinion.  There was some violence and scary imagery, but otherwise, I think it would be well suited for teens, and even pre-teens.

RATING:  PG with Violence

AUDIENCE:  Teens

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Entwined, A Posse of Princesses

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

SYNOPSIS:  Auden is living with her mother, but decides to visit her dad and stepmom after they have a new baby.  While living with them, she meets a biker with a sad past.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Honestly, I didn't have much patience for this book.  I'm not huge on teen angst and drama.  Plus, there was some sensuality and language.  So I wouldn't recommend this one, and I'm not too impressed with Sarah Dessen either.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Language

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Twilight, The Luxe

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

SYNOPSIS:  Four friends find themselves going their separate ways one summer, and decide to share a pair of jeans, sending it back and forth, so that they can stay together while apart.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I'm a little undecided on whether I would recommend this or not.  There is some good writing in this book, as well as four likable characters.  Each has their own unique perspective, which is a fun way to read a book.  However, there is some sensuality in the book, and although the character in the book regrets her promiscuous actions later, I would still only recommend the book for older readers.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Language

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  3 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  3 Willows, Along For the Ride

To read a brief update about future books in the series, click here.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

SYNOPSIS:  Tessa Gray goes to England to find her brother.  However, she finds much more than she bargained for.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I read this book before City of Bones, not realizing it was a spin-off of the series, and found myself a little lost.  Then I read City of Bones, and didn't like it at all.  This book was a little better, but not much.  It still had quite a bit of violence, and some sensuality.  I would be reluctant to recommend this book, also.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Violence

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Twilight, City of Bones

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

SYNOPSIS:  Clary Fray finds she can see supernatural things that others can't.  Her mother disappears, and she tries to unravel the mystery of her life with the help of teenagers known as "Shadowhunters."

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  These books are very popular, but I myself was not a fan.  I wasn't even interested enough to read the next book in the series.  Also, there is a quite a bit of sensuality, and a lot of violence.  I wouldn't recommend them, although, as I said, others seem to like them.

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality and Violence

AUDIENCE:  Young Adult

STARS:  2 1/2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Twilight, Maximum Ride

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

SYNOPSIS:  Hugo Cabret is on his own.  He is an orphan, and was taken in by his uncle, who cares for the clocks at a train station in Paris.  When his uncle disappears, Hugo takes on his chores, trying to keep his situation a secret.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  You may wonder why this thick chapter book has won the Caldecott Medal.  The answer is that it is a story told with words and pictures.  I would definitely recommend this book to a reluctant reader, because the pages fly by, with text interspersed with artistic charcoal illustrations and photographs.

RATING:  G

AUDIENCE:  Children, Pre-teens, and Teens

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Polar Express, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie By Alan Bradley

SYNOPSIS:  Flavia De Luce is too smart for her own good.  At eleven-years-old, there is a murder at her home, and she is determined to get to the bottom of it herself.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I really loved this book.  It was a fun story, with a lovable protagonist, who has us cheering right from the start.  However, there is a brief reference to a sexual predator, and there is a murder, as well.  Also, anyone who reads this book will want their dictionary handy, because there is a lot of advanced vocabulary in it.  I would recommend it more for young adults and adults, but a mature teen could handle it as well.

RATING:  PG with violence and some adult issues

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

STARS:  4

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Nancy Drew, And Then There Were None

To see a review of the next book in this series, click here.

A Posse of Princesses by Sherwood Smith

SYNOPSIS:  Rhis is a princess, who is invited to a party for the Prince of Vesarja, along with many other princesses, to socialize.  One princess is kidnapped, so Rhis organizes a rescue mission to save her.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I thought this book was a little rough, and a little cheesy.  I think it was recommended to me because I liked Shannon Hale's books.  However, although on paper they look similar, the writing style in this book was inferior, in my opinion.  However, it would make a fun read for girls who enjoy stories about princesses.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Pre-teens, Teens

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Just Ella, Palace of Mirrors

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

SYNOPSIS:  Artemis Fowl is a spoiled rich boy, who has gone bad.  His current objective is to discover what he can about the Fairy world, and blackmail them to get their gold.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I wasn't a big fan of this, but I think it just wasn't my style.  If I remember right, there was some language, as well as some bathroom humor in it.  Also, there is a character that smokes a cigar.  However, I think that for boys, especially, it makes a fun combination of modern-day technology with ancient fairy tales.

RATING:  PG with Violence and rude humor

AUDIENCE:  Teens

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Percy Jackson, Fablehaven

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

SYNOPSIS:  It's been years since Elizabeth Bennett married Fitzwilliam Darcy, and they are preparing for an annual ball at their house.  Unfortunately, there is a murder on their estate, and it looks like Wickham is the primary suspect.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book is a little slow, so may be daunting to a reluctant reader.  However, it was a good, clean read, aside from the murder, and the violence that comes with it.  Because of reading difficulty, I would say this is good for adult readers, although it would be a fun read for any other Pride and Prejudice fan.

RATING:  PG with Violence

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults, Adults

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  And Then there were None, Pride and Prejudice

Witch and Wizard Series by James Patterson

SYNOPSIS:  Whit and Wisty discover that they have magical powers.  They discover this as they are forcibly taken from their home by guards from the New Order, whose primary focus is to stamp out anything cultural or supernatural.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I'm sure there are people out there who like these books.  I'm not trying to be mean, but I felt like reading them was a waste of my time.  I'm glad it only took me about 5 minutes to read each book.  The story-line was choppy and unbelievable, and there was some violence and gore which seemed unnecessary to me.  However, they are quite popular, and I'll admit I was somewhat thrown by all the fantasy imagery, so others may like them more than I did.

RATING:  PG13 for violence

AUDIENCE:  Teens and Young Adults

STARS:  1

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, A Wrinkle in Time

Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot

SYNOPSIS:  Mia Thermopolis discovers she is a princess, and heir to the throne in Genovia.  She comes into the spotlight just when she is discovering boys and trying to find her own sense of style.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I checked this book out thinking it would be like the movie, and I was wrong.  I would definitely say the books are for an older audience than the movie.  There is some language in the books (OMG curses, again), as well as casual references to sex, and some sensuality.  I wouldn't recommend these books, because of the content, especially to younger readers.

SYNOPSIS:  Mia is back, now a polished adult.  Well, sort of.  In the midst of a crisis in her country, she tries to plan her perfect wedding, all the while dealing with one surprising turn of events after another.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  This book is in the same style as the other books of the series, but I'm pretty sure the intent was to grow up with the audience.  Expect even more adult material, and several references to sex and sensuality.

RATING:  PG13 for sensuality

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

STARS:  2

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  The Nanny Diaries, Confessions of a Shopaholic

Beauty by Robin McKinley

SYNOPSIS:  "Beauty," as she is called, is taken as ransom for her father's life to a castle to live with a hideous beast.  His life depends on her falling in love with him, but she can't bring herself to do so.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Robin McKinley is an award-winning author, and this book is excellent.  I don't think I've ever heard of a girl not loving it.  It's well-told and fanciful.  I would definitely recommend this to any teenage girl.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Pre-teens, Teens, and Young Adults

STARS:  5

OTHER BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Ella Enchanted, Princess Academy

Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levine

SYNOPSIS:  Dave Caros is taken to live at the Hebrew Home for Boys, after he is orphaned, and no one else in the family can be troubled by him.  He discovers a whole new world in Harlem, and learns what it means to be a friend.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I thought this was a good, easy read.  It is quite different from other Gail Carson Levine books, but I think it would still entertain young readers.

RATING:  PG

AUDIENCE:  Children and Pre-teens

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Holes, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer