Young Sherlock Holmes Series by Andrew Lane

SYNOPSIS:  Sherlock Holmes' life is turned upside down after he encounters a body beneath a mysterious cloud on his estate.  With the help of his tutor, Mr. Crowe, he begins to make deductions that will throw him into danger, and help him to solve the mystery.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I thought this was a good mystery for teens and older kids.  There is some violence however, along with some adventure, so I would recommend readers be aware of those elements.

AUDIENCE:  Pre-teens and Teens

RATING:  PG for Violence and Suspense

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Theodore Boone Series, I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You

SYNOPSIS:  Sherlock is back, this time to solve the mystery of why the once-thought-dead John Wilkes Booth is in England.  His adventure will lead to the capture of one of his friends, and a resultant journey to America to bring him home safely.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although I still thought the mystery was fun and adventurous, I thought this book was a bit gruesome for younger readers.  I will allow, however, that older boys may be interested in those aspects of the book.  I would reserve it for Teens and older, because of the violence and grotesque imagery.

AUDIENCE:  Teens

RATING:  PG with Gruesome Imagery and Violence

STARS: 2

Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line

SYNOPSIS:  Taking up where the recent movie leaves off, this novel follows girl-sleuth Veronica Mars as she solves the mystery of a missing college girl.  When another goes missing, who turns out to be the stepdaughter of Veronica's absent mother, things get a lot more complicated.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although I love a good mystery, especially with a competent female protagonist, this novel left me a bit disappointed.  I felt there was a lot less ingenuity than just luck, and predictable moments of suspense.  In addition, there was very strong language, as well as sexual references and violence.  I'd recommend skipping this book.

AUDIENCE:  Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Strong Language, Violence and Sexual References

STARS:  2

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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

SYNOPSIS:  Hazel knows how her life will end.  As a terminal cancer patient living on borrowed time, she realizes that she doesn't have long to live.  When Augustus Waters shows up at her cancer support group meeting, she finds that change can bring happiness, even in the darkest of times.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Although the narration was quick-paced and entertaining, I had a hard time with this book.  It seemed a bit predictable to me.  In addition, it seemed a bit gimmicky, with two cancer patients, meeting with death hanging over their heads.  I felt like it wasn't that creative, honestly.  In addition, there was quite a bit of sensuality, as well as plenty of language and sexual references.  I wasn't very impressed with this book, and would recommend skipping it.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Language and Sensuality/Sexual References

STARS:  2

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Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

SYNOPSIS:  Anna loves nothing more than her 8-year-old son.  When she goes to visit her brother, however, she meets a young man who instantly attracts her attention.  She tries to escape his hold on her by returning home, but their attraction builds into an affair, which wreaks havoc with her family life.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  Given my love for Jane Austen and happy endings, you can probably imagine how I felt about this book.  I was irritated with Anna and the way she snatched up everything she wanted, no matter the consequences.  I realize that this is partly Tolstoy's point, but it was still difficult for me as a reader to witness.  Also, there was quite a bit of political discussion which I found hard to get through.  On the other hand, it is a detailed and forthright depiction of life in Russia in the late 1800s.

AUDIENCE:  Young Adults and Adults

RATING:  PG13 for Sensuality, Adult Topics and Violence

STARS:  3

BOOKS LIKE THIS:  Middlemarch, Wuthering Heights

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

SYNOPSIS:  As Nitta Sayuri looks back on her lifeas a geisha, she sees times of hardship and poverty, as well as times of luxury and happiness.  As a possessor of rare blue-gray eyes, she catches the notice of those around her, who place her in an apprenticeship to become a geisha.  Along the way, there are many hard lessons for her to learn.

AUNT SHARON'S TAKE:  I was concerned with this book, mostly because of content, and my concerns were validated.  Although the book was entertaining, as well as historically detailed and accurate, it portrays the life of a geisha, employed to entertain businessmen.  Details I felt could have been left out are not spared, and there is some strong sensuality and sexual references.  I had a hard time getting through the book, and would certainly only recommend it to adults for its subject matter and explicit references.

AUDIENCE:  Adults

RATING:  R for Sexual references

STARS:  3

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