Monday, February 21, 2011

Review: IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES by Lisa Schroeder

Published by Aladdin an imprint of Simon & Schuster (purchased at a Scholastic Book Fair)
For Ages: 8-12        In Stores: Now

Description: (from Publisher's Website)
Twelve-year-old Isabel is dying to get out of Oregon. She spends her free time in the library, reading and dreaming about faraway places. When her mom decides to open a cupcake shop in their little town of Willow, Isabel feels just like buttercream frosting to a cupcake-stuck. It seems as if it will be another disappointing summer, until Isabel learns of a baking contest. If she can come up with a winning recipe, she might have a chance of competing in the bake-off in New York City! But Isabel's best friend, Sophie, is also entering the contest, and things always seem to go Sophie's way. To make matters worse, Isabel and her mom don't exactly see eye-to-eye on the type of recipe Isabel should enter. In this sweet treat by popular teen author Lisa Schroeder, Isabel discovers that maybe it's not about where you go in life as much as it is about enjoying the view from wherever you are.


Review by Jess (with a little help from Jenn):
This book was one of my favorite reads of 2010. My Mom and I saw IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES in a flyer for my school’s bookfair and my Mom said that she and my Aunt had worked with the author on their website (FallenArchangel). She said the book wasn’t out in stores yet and told me to get it. After a few chapters I was really glad that I got it.

The main character, Isabel, is 12 and her Mom loved to bake cupcakes. Isabel liked to bake with her Mom, who was getting ready to open her own Cupcake Shop. But, Isabel had dreams of her own, to travel away from where she lives. When she finds out about a baking contest with a prize that takes the winner to New York City she gets busy creating her own recipe. Just when Isabel comes up with an idea; her Mom tires to convince her that she should bake a cupcake recipe to help attract attention to the new Cupcake Shop instead of her own recipe. Isabel has to decide if she wants to do her own thing or do it her Mom’s way.

I really felt like I understood Isabel because she is close to my age. I understood how she felt when she had to make a big decision because I have trouble making decisions a lot. I recommended this book to my best friend and think that most girls my age would enjoy it.

I really wanted there to be a sequel so I was really excited when I found out about SPRINKLES AND SECRETS which is about Sophie, Isabel’s best friend. SPRINKLES AND SECRETS is being released in September and I can’t wait to read it.



Extras:  Read Chapter 1 of IT'S RAINING CUPCAKES  here

Friday, February 11, 2011

THE LIMIT by Kristen Landon

(Note: This review is by Jessica my almost 11 year old daughter)

Title:  THE LIMIT by Kristen Landon

Info:  Middle Grade

Published by: Aladdin an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Div. (Provided for review)
In Stores: Now

Description:  (from Publisher's Website)

An eighth grade girl was taken today . . .

With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn't let up for a moment. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the monthly debt limit imposed by the government. Thirteen-year-old Matt briefly wonders if he might be next, but quickly dismisses the thought. After all, his parents are financially responsible, unlike the parents of those other kids. As long as his parents remain within their limit, the government will be satisfied and leave them alone. But all it takes is one fatal visit to the store to push Matt's family over their limit—and to change his reality forever.

Review:Hi its Jess.   I read the book The Limit and though it was great.  It is a middle grade book about a boy who is thirteen.  In this story if a family goes over a limit of spending their kids get taken away to work so the family can pay off the money they owe. This happens to Matt's family and he gets taken to a workhouse where he meets some new friends. Also he finds out that there might be more to this warehouse then meets the eye. I would suggest this book to my friends and people who like a story about adventure, friendship, mystery, and family.

I think you should read this book and I think you will like it.

Extras:
Read the first 5 Chapters here

Check out the Book Trailer