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