Tell a Fairy Tale Day!

Yes, it is true, Mrs. Yusko is finally back at school! It has been a long, LOOOOONG road to recovery, and while I'm still not there, I'm finally done with treatments and surgeries (after a year and a half)! So, it's probably time that I get back to blogging about books...

Today just happens to be "Tell a Fairy Tale Day." So, I thought that I would use today's post to share my favorite fractured fairy tales that we have here in my school library.

In no particular order:

1) Beastly by Alex Flinn. Okay, maybe they are in a particular order. I LOVED THIS BOOK. And I was booktalking it LONG before they made it into a movie. This is such an incredible and inventive retelling of Beauty and the Beast from the Beast's point of view, set in modern day NYC. Many of your fairy tale favorites also have cameo appearances. Please rush out and read this book NOW. And then check out all of Ms. Flinn's other titles because they are all terrific. Cloaked; Towering; Bewitching...I just didn't want this list to become the Alex Flinn fan club.

2) Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire. Yes, that Gregory Maguire. Long before Wicked became a SENSATION, this was the book that I liked best. The story of Cinderella told from one of the stepsister's point of view. Terrific!

3) Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde. Another of my "please rush out immediately and read ALL of her books." This book is a collection of short stories featuring all the characters (and I mean all) from Little Red Riding Hood. The author's introduction to this collection is some of the funniest writing ever!

4) Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde. Okay, I know that I told you to read all of Ms. Vande Velde's books already, but this was the first book of hers that I read and I couldn't let it escape mention.

5) Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George. I will admit (and all my students know) that I am not a fan of books where there's a girl in a dress on the cover. Ugh. Could there be anything worse for me? (Well, yes, there could be a vampire in it, but I digress). But what the author has done with this book (and the succeeding companion books in the "series") is nothing short of clever, brilliant writing. A must read!

6) The Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley. I really enjoy this series. I wish that it was more popular in my school, but alas, it has not found a wide readership. But it is fantastic...and there are 11 books in the series so you could be busy reading it all year long.

7) Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. Okay, I originally read this book (even though there's a girl in a dress on the cover) because the author's "Dairy Queen" series was fantastic. I was won over! You will be too!

8) Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale. Again, this is an author where I am just going to say READ ALL OF HER BOOKS. NOW.

9) Toads & Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson. This book is beautiful. Simply beautiful. Again, not the widest of readership as it takes just the right sophisticated reader to appreciate it. But worth the time if that person is you.

10) Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz. This is the story of Hansel and Gretel turned on it's head and told in a way that would make the Grimm brothers proud. There are sequels also...read them all.

11) Enchanted by Alethea Kontis. I know, I know, there's a girl in a dress on the cover. That's what I said also. And then I listened to this audiobook while going through chemo one day and realized what all the hype (and trust me, there was plenty of it surrounding this book) was about. So unique!

12) Thrice Told Tales by Catherine Lewis. The Three Blind Mice giving writing advice? What could be better?!

13) The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman. Okay, I'll admit that I'm probably drawn to this because the main character works in a library, but it's a library where they keep the "artifacts" from Grimm's fairy tales. And maybe you could check them out???

14) Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I cannot say enough good things about this entire series (Scarlet; Cress; more to come). Completely original world building that gives a nod to their fairy tale inspiration but does so much more. Science Fiction, dystopian, adventure, mystery...these books have it all.

Top 10 Books at Evergreen This Week

The library catalog system "tracks" top titles for our library, and it is something that I enjoy looking at quite frequently to see what's "hot." Of course, I use the term "track" loosely, because I haven't quite figured out the formula it uses. For example, I think that it should take number of holds on the book into account, but it doesn't.

Regardless, I thought that I would share the Top 10 books in our Evergreen Library this week. Now, if you are a student and click on the "Top 10" in the library catalog, this list is for the past 30 days. I can actually pull up reports to change the time frame that it uses when calculating titles. It's actually interesting to note that this changes the titles quite a bit, and takes into account suddenly popular titles vs. titles that sustain popularity.

So, for the last 7 days, the top books at Evergreen were:

1. Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown. TOTALLY surprising, and completely due to the fact that I ordered two additional copies this week and I booktalked this to 6th grade classes a lot recently. It flew off the shelves.

2. Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson. Love this book and while it is always popular, the reason it hit number 2 is that it's a top choice for our 8th grade Sci-Fi unit which just started this week. All 9 copies FLEW off the shelves yesterday.

3. & 4. Catching Fire and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Not a shocker with the movie coming out next week.

5. House of Hades by Rick Riordan. Again, not a shocker. Riordan's books are always popular with my students, and the hold list continues to grow every day, even though we have multiple copies and students are reading it fast. If the system factored holds into the calculation, this book would be number one without any competition.

6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I actually can't figure out why this book is so much higher in the top ten than Divergent, because students are always asking me for Divergent and with all the movie buzz, I would have thought that all the recent recruits to the series would have pushed the first one into the lead.

7. Matched by Ally Condie. Again, not a surprise considering the Sci-Fi unit. This is always a popular series at Evergreen.

8. Wimpy Kid #8: Hard Luck. It's kind of fitting that this book is 8th on the list...but also surprising. The only reason that this is so low on the list in my opinion (I expected it to be 2 or 3) is that many of my kids must have purchased their own copies from their local bookstore.

9. Swim the Fly by Don Calame. Always popular at Evergreen, this is falling down the top 10 charts as the 8th grade Humor unit is ending.

10. Divergent by Veronica Roth. Barely made it into the top 10 this week. But long-term, this one is always in the top. And deservedly so!

So, what does this tell us? 
I'm sad that there's not a non-fiction title among the top 10. Something I will continue to work on.
Series are HOT at Evergreen. I often joke that if I call it a series, they will read it.
Dystopian is not dead yet, at least in my neck of the woods.

What are your top titles?

Trailer Tuesday

Today's Trailer Tuesday/Book-a-Day combo is for Grace Mercy by Robin LaFevers.

This book was on SO MANY "best" lists last year, and deservedly so. This is definitely for high school readers and adults (I recommend it to my teacher friends ALL THE TIME), but it is terrific. And the sequel, Dark Triumph, is on shelves now. (Book 3 comes out in February, 2014).

Also, the reason that I chose to post this trailer this week is that you still have a few days to score a free copy of the audiobook from Sync. Click here for details! Hurry, tomorrow is your last day.

Throwback Thursday Review: The Alchemist (Coelho)

Title: The Alchemist
Author: Coelho
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Parable, Journey, Adventure, Dreams
Pages: 177
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars (audio version: 4 out of 5 stars)
Ages: High School, Adult, some Middle School students also (I'm going to buy a copy for my library for the fall)

Jumping on the "Throwback Thursday" theme, I thought that I would review a book that has been in print for quite some time, having first been published in Brazil in 1988. So, it's quite likely that you have heard about this title, and might have already read it.

Funny thing, though, I had never read it until just this last week. It was actually recommended to me by my son who beat me to it. So, of course I had to read it (since the teen boy is not a normally a reader and I find myself inclined to devour anything he suggests). I decided to listen to it on audio since I love my Audible subscription.

From the Publisher: 
"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky." Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams." 
The Alchemist is the magical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure as extravagant as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert to a fateful encounter with the alchemist. The story of the treasures Santiago finds along the way teaches us, as only a few stories have done, about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, above all, following our dreams.

This was a short book, but I am quite glad that I listened to it on audio as it is narrated by the impeccable Jeremy Irons. Wonderful reading by an incredible actor!

I can see why this book has resonated with readers around the world for decades. Part fantasy, part fable, part self-help book all wrapped up into one. I think that the storytelling and scene-setting were very strong and you are almost immediately swept up into Santiago's world and rooting for him along his journey. 

In the end, I admire a book where the message is to dream big, listen to your heart, and find your life's mission. Amen to following your dreams!

Review: Flame in the Mist (Grindstaff)

Title: Flame in the Mist
Author: Grindstaff
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 452
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Ages: 4th-8th grades

I reviewed this book for the publisher and I'm posting below the booktalk that I wrote for their website. High fantasy is not my thing, and I thought this book might have been a little long for the intended audience, but I still think that if you like fantasy/adventure stories, you will enjoy this! And somehow I think I left it off my summer reading list, so I wanted to make sure that I let you know about it.

Jemma lives in a land of darkness, shrouded by an evil mist that keeps out the sun. Her family has ruled the land for centuries, using their dark powers to retain control. But Jemma has always looked and felt like an outsider, like she doesn’t belong. With her flame red hair and her outrage at the ghastly things that go on in the castle, she knows that something isn’t right. And on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, she finds out the horrible secret that her family has been keeping from her. Now, forced to flee into the forest and the danger that lurks there, Jemma is on the run with only her pet rats and an ancient book to keep her company. With the help of mysterious people she meets along the way, Jemma might just have a chance at making it out alive. But can she fulfill her prophecy and defeat the evil forces working to destroy her and the kingdom?

Trailer Tuesday: Tiger Lily (Anderson)

Oh my gosh, I LOVE this book.

Love it!

Couldn't get enough of it! And completely regret not reading it in time to put it on my "holiday gift books" list.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Grave Mercy (LeFevers)

Title: Grave Mercy
Author: LeFevers
Genre: Fiction, Assassins, Death, Gods, Historical Fiction, Courts, Fantasy
Pages: 549
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

I love the tagline on this book: Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

17-year-old Ismae escapes the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. At the convent she learns that the god of Death has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death.

Seriously? Nun assassins? Do you really need me to say anything more? Just look at that cover! And this book is the beginning of a new series!
I am in love with this book...it has all the the elements of a dark, sophisticated fairy tale (castles, courts, good vs evil), a nod to historical fiction, and a twisted love story for feminists and romantics alike. And if you are one of those people that likes to read "Best Books," this title has made many Top Books of 2012 lists.


Ismae is one of the great heroines of literature these days. She if flawed but has a strong voice, can spy and kill with the best of them, shows mercy, and her romance with Duval shows her feminine side. This is definitely a book for older (high school and up) readers, but well worth the read. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel, Dark Triumph, due in April.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Fairest of All (Mlynowski)

Title: Fairest of All (Whatever After #1)
Author: Mlynowski
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Fairy Tales
Pages: 169
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The latest in my series of gift book ideas is the perfect book for tween girls! This is also a series starter (book #2 comes out in January), and nothing makes a better gift than getting a reader hooked on a good series.

Abby and her little brother Jonah discover a creepy mirror in the basement of their new house and it swoops them into the fairy tale world of Snow White. When Jonah inadvertently stops Snow from eating the poison apple, all kinds of things get messed up, which sets the siblings on a quest to put everything right.

This is an entertaining romp through a well-loved fairy tale and will have tween girls cheering for Abby. I COMPLETELY enjoyed this and am very much looking forward to book #2. Abby is a witty narrator and Jonah adds some funny one-liners. There is non-stop action and clever plot twists. In a genre filled will fractured fairy tales, this is a standout.

On a personal note, rumor has it Santa is bringing my own daughter these books for her stocking. And the author was generous enough to send some bookmarks for readers at Evergreen. Look for them in the new year. THANK YOU Ms. Mlynowski!

BTW, Evergreen readers should check out the author's "Gimme a Call" and the "Magic in Manhattan" series. Older readers will love "Ten Things We Did (and probably shouldn't have)."

Trailer Tuesday: Shadow and Bone, The Movie

I posted on Sunday about how this book by debut author Leigh Bardugo would make a good movie (and a good gift for fantasy lovers on your holiday list). Turns out, I'm not the only one. One of the "Harry Potter" movie producers thought so too and snapped up the movie rights. Here's the scoop on making it into a movie: 

Trailer Tuesday: The Hobbit

Since the movie is coming out on Friday, this is the perfect Trailer Tuesday for "The Hobbit" trailer!
Have you purchased your tickets yet? Are you planning on seeing it opening weekend? Looks as good as you would expect it to be, and I know MANY fans that are counting down the days. 

Happy Watching!

Holiday Gift Ideas: Shadow and Bone (Bardugo)

The first installment in the Holiday Gift Ideas posts is a book that I talked all week to my 7th graders (and their teachers). 

Title: Shadow & Bone
Author: Bardugo
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Orphans, Abilities
Pages: 358
Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5

This is the first book in a planned trilogy by a debut author, and has also been optioned for a movie. Within the first few pages, you will know why. This book is such a treat: the writing is exquisite, the sense of place is magical and exotic, and the heroine is memorable.


Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, an area of darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now Ravka's fate may rest with Alina, an orphan taken from obscurity and her only friend, Mal, when it is discovered that she is the mythical Sun Summoner who might be able to destroy the monsters in the Fold. She must train with the mysterious Darkling to join the magical Grisha. 

Mal, handsome and competent, and Alina, are two young orphans who form an immediate bond. The story really begins when the two friends have joined the King’s Army and Alina is plucked from the ranks to join the Grisha, who train at the heart of the royal court.

The setting resembles Czarist Russia, the Darkling vaguely Rasputin-esque. Extravagance and deceit abound at court and Alina finds herself with allegiances on both sides. This is an engaging, captivating fantasy with a terrific supporting cast and amazing world building. Glad that I finally read this one, but sad that I have to wait for the next book!

Student Book Review: Witch & Wizard (Patterson)

Another of our Student Book Reviews. This review comes to you from a 6th grader at Evergreen!

Title: Witch and Wizard
Author: Patterson
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Mystery
Pages: 314
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

From the publisher:
A sister and brother, along with thousands of young people, have been kidnapped and either thrown in prison or turned up missing after accusations of witchcraft were made against them, and the ruling regime will do anything in order to suppress life and liberty, music and books.

From the student:
"Whit and Wisteria Allgood live a perfectly normal life...until now. When their neighbor accuses them of witchcraft, some members of the New Order throw them in jail. Could this witchcraft thing be a mistake or more than that?

I read this book because the book sounded interesting and had a good summary. Someone else would want to read this book because it has a cool cover and title.

I gave this book 5/5 stars because it had such a good plot, I couldn't put it down! It was full of adventure and plenty of romance for a wonderful story.

Fans of Harry Potter or Maximum Ride would also like this book, which is the first book in a series."

To be honest, I haven't read this series by James Patterson. But this review makes me think I should put it on my list to read soon!

Trailer Tuesday: Seraphina

One of the better fantasies that I've read recently. Very sophisticated, great world building, political intrigue, assassination plots, and lots of secrets...oh, and there's dragons.

Review: Deadly Pink (Vande Velde)

Title: Deadly Pink
Author: Vande Velde
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Games/Gaming, Family, Sisters, Adventure, Science Fiction
Pages: 276
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars


Fourteen-year-old Grace has just been summoned from high school to rescue her older sister Emily from a virtual reality game. Turns out, the brilliant, popular, friendly older sister who has been away at college hasn't been honest about her new life. When Emily refuses to leave the virtual reality game world that she created, Grace is asked to go into the game and convince her to come out. A task that turns out to be much harder than it should be.

Grace's humor, wit, and sarcasm resonated with me, and will with teen readers as well. Fans of gaming will appreciate the action and hilarious characters that populate the sweet little princess game gone horribly awry. Fans of fantasy, gaming, and sci-fi will truly enjoy this and should also check out the author's other companion titles, "User Unfriendly" and "Heir Apparent."

Even if you are not a fan of video games, this is an adventure story with heart, and has Grace trying everything she can think of to understand and save her much beloved sister.

Review: Dark Lord: the early years (Thomson)

Title: Dark Lord: the early years
Author: Thomson (or is it???)
Genre: Fiction, Identity, Magic, Fantasy, Funny
Pages: 290
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Dark Lord is confounded when he wakes up in the middle of a small town on a planet he's never seen before. Where is he, why do they keep calling him Dirk Lloyd, and why is he powerless against these earthlings who insist on finding his parents? Is Dirk Lloyd the human incarnation of the Dark Lord who, after a cataclysmic final battle with his arch nemesis, was hurled into the Pit of Uttermost Despair (Earth)? Or is he just a lost and confused boy?

What is not to love about this book? The writing is terrific, and the word choice adds so many layers to the humor. From the Iron Tower of Despair that he misses on his home planet, to the Black Diary of Doom that he writes in, I love Dirk Lloyd/Dark Lord's voice.

As an adult reading this book, I spent much of it thinking that the Dark Lord character was a coping mechanism for some tragedy that we were going to discover at the end. I'm not going to give away the ending at all, but I think that this book is a SPOT ON choice for middle school boys, especially those with a penchant for fantasy/gaming...or a quirky sense of humor.

Stay tuned for the book trailer on an upcoming "Trailer Tuesday."

In Memory: Brian Jacques

It is with sadness that I report the passing of author Brian Jacques over the weekend. Jacques, the prolific author of the widely popular "Redwall" series, died on Saturday at the age of 71.

Back in my public library days, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Jacques, as we were able to have him present a program at our library for a large group of local school kids. If you were ever able to hear him speak in person, I hope that you consider yourself as fortunate as I do. It was truly a mesmerizing experience (and not just because of his wonderful accent)!

The Redwall series includes 21 books, plus 3 companion titles. The first, "Redwall," was published in 1986 and the most recent, "The Sable Quean," in 2010. Mr. Jacques also wrote the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series. I will be the first to admit that I am not typically a fan of fantasy books where animals are the main characters, but I LOVED "Redwall." I am sorry that I have not found the time in my life to read every book in the series, but I have read the Castaways books.

The Redwall series got it's start when Jacques wrote/read stories to children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool, when he was a truck driver delivering milk. The children there loved the stories so much and he was encouraged to publish them.

If you have not had the opportunity to read the books yourself, you should! If you want to hear them read by the author, check them out on audio. Many are "full cast" recordings with Jacques as the narrator/main character. But be careful, there are recordings that do not feature him...still a good book, but it is so much better if you can hear it read by the author.

A great writer and amazing storyteller who will definitely be missed...

Review: Hunger (Kessler)

Title: Hunger
Author: Kessler
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Eating Disorders
Pages: 177
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

As I read the book over the summer, I am once again stealing the synopsis from Goodreads: Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?


Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons?

This is the first book in an intended series about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalype, and it is a fascinating premise.  I really liked the original take on a story dealing with eating disorders.  This is definitely not the usual approach when writing about this difficult topic.  And even though it is a book about a teenage girl struggling with an eating disorder, there is so much more going on in this quick read.

Death, one of the other Horsemen, is actually my favorite character in this book.  He has the snarky attitude you would expect of someone symbolizing Death, and I could completely visualize him in my head.  I hope that he is the star of the next title, though maybe I shouldn't like him quite so much.  He is Death, after all.

Review: Magic Under Glass (Dolamore)

 Title: Magic Under Glass

Author: Dolamore
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Magic
Pages: 225
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars


Okay, I know that someday I am going to regret the rating that I gave this book. It has received starred reviews everywhere, and was recently named one of the Top 10 first novels of the year. I'm sure there are more awards to follow and I simply missed the boat.


That being said, this was an amazing and well-written book.  My rating is based on my perceived wide-scale audience appeal of the book...I think it will definitely have fans, but nothing along the scale of Harry Potter, for example.  But that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When a wealthy sorcerer (Parry) hires her to sing accompaniment to a piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life and runs away to live with him.


There are many buried secrets in Parry's world however. Rumors of ghosts about in his house, there is a mad woman roaming the halls that may or may not know what happened to Parry's wife, and Parry is mixed up with ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport.


When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy, Prince Erris, is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But they are both in danger when they attempt to save the entire fairy realm.


I truly enjoyed this book, and I definitely think that it deserves all the praise it has received. It is a unique story and an engaging read. There are many fascinating plot elements and I will be the first to admit that this book is not one I would normally pick up and yet it kept me reading. Will she rescue Erris? Won't she? I had to know! There will definitely be a sequel in 2011, Magic Under Stone. I am excited to see where the story goes from here and to read more about Nimira's life.


By the way, the cover images are curious to me. The one on the left is the one that we received from the publisher and now have in our library. I'm not sure what edition the one on the right is, but I'm not sure it appeals to the intended market of the book. What do you think? And if neither cover does it for you, there is a third one that I found on Goodreads:

Student Review: The Magician's Elephant (DiCamillo)

Title: The Magician’s Elephant

Author: Kate DiCamillo
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction
Pages: 201
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Peter is an orphan in the city of Baltese. He has been told for years by a strict, militaristic guardian that the younger sister he knows he has is dead. In spite of all evidence, Peter is skeptical. One day, he goes down to the market square and pays a fortuneteller to inform him of his sister’s whereabouts. She says that yes, his sister is indeed alive, and that an elephant will lead her to him.


So begins the story of two orphans, a beggar, his dog, a magician, a nun, a countess, and many other memorable characters. They all have various missions and goals, but are all involved with one common element: the elephant. Some of them are connected to the situation through Peter. Others have a completely different outlook. They come from many different classes and occupations, as well as three different species, and yet they are all connected to the one universal element in this book. Armed with a dazzling, poetic writing style and a knack for communicating characters’ feelings, DiCamillo pulls us into her story, forcing us to forget that her main idea should be difficult to believe.


This was a lovely book, with a perfect, timely ending and an impressive amount of maturity in its characters. The people in this story felt no need to impose their problems on the reader or the other characters. They didn’t demand sympathy, move the audience to tears, or become severely depressed. Even the beggar accepted his lifestyle, and the class differences in the characters were not meant to force us into charity work. Without preaching about the “less fortunate,” this book gave the reader insight on the way that many different people live. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever been interested in what others are thinking.


This story was a large, tangled web of events combining many characters and motives. I’m willing to bet this kind of thing happens in real life. Please comment with your own stories about complicated experiences!
--Celia, 8th grade

I must admit that this is the only one of Ms. DiCamillo's books that I have not read.  And I'm not really sure why, because I LOVE her other titles!  Thanks, Celia!

Student Review: Sundays at Tiffany's

Title: Sundays at Tiffany’s

Author: James Patterson
Genre: Fantasy and love story (mostly realistic)
Pages: 328
Rating: 3 out of 5stars


Jane Margaux’s mom is the head of a huge production studio in New York, and she only spends time with her daughter on Sundays when they go shopping for diamonds at Tiffany’s. Jane is okay with this though, because she has her thirty five year old Imaginary Friend Michael to keep her company. The job of an Imaginary Friend is to care for a child between the ages of six and nine. Once a child turns nine though, his or her imaginary friend is forced to leave. This is made bearable only by the fact that when the child wakes up the next morning they will no longer remember their friend. However, when Michael leaves Jane, Jane doesn’t forget him. As she grows older she continues to think about Michael, and when she is in her thirties she meets back up with him. The more time they start spending together the more questions begin to arise; why hasn’t she forgotten him? Why have they met back up? And what does all of this mean?


I thought Jane’s mom, Vivienne, was the character that connected most to the theme. All she cared about was being perfect, being beautiful, and making Jane that way too. But the theme of the book was the exact opposite; do not get to caught up on the small things in life, but instead focus on the bigger picture- exactly unlike Vivienne. The difference between her and the theme painted a vivid picture of exactly what it was trying to get the reader not to be like. An ah-ha moment for me was when I finally realized that even though an imaginary friend seams imaginary to everyone but the child, they really aren’t. They are actually a “real imaginary” thing.


I would recommend this book to girls only who don’t mind a slightly slower paced story. The writing style reminded me very much of Sarah Dessen’s books such as The Truth About Forever, and even Jodi Picoult’s like Keeping Faith and Change of Heart. If you’ve read and enjoyed any of these, you will enjoy Sundays at Tiffany’s.


So what would you do if an imaginary person who left you long ago returned, only this time not Imaginary?
--Mekenna, 8th grade

Good review Mekenna.  I appreciate your spot-on reading recommendations!