Review: The Queen of Cool by Cecil Castellucci

Title: The Queen of Cool
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Publisher: Candlewick
Pub. Date: March 2006
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Popularity, Family, Friendship, Identity, Internships
Pages: 173
Plot (from back of ARC):
"On the outside, Libby Brin is the most popular girl in school. She has the hippest friends, the hottest boyfriend, the trendiest clothes, and the most easygoing parents. But on the inside, Libby is dying - of boredom.

And then one day Libby surprises everyone, including herself, when she signs up for an internship at the Los Angeles Zoo. Her friends think the zoo is for losers, but for Libby, at least it's something to do, something different. Unfortunately, working as an intern is not exactly glamorous, and worse, it means Libby has to tea up with two nerds - Tina (aka "Tiny"), a Little Person and aspiring actress, and Sheldon, an introverted boy with a brilliant, inquiring mind.

But what happens when Libby realizes she actually enjoys working at the zoo... and may even like Tina and Sheldon? Will the Queen of Cool have to give up her crown?"

This book has been sitting on my shelf since 2006 - and I'm not even sure where I got it from. It is slim book and I totally forgot about it even being on the bookshelf until I was going through books to take with me when I move downstate. I found this one right next to Boy Proof, Castellucci's first novel, and was intrigued by the summary on the book. It helped that this book is pretty short, but I completely devoured this book. I had forgotten how much I loved Castellucci's writing and story telling!

Libby, as expected, was a snobby rich girl at the beginning of the novel. Despite that, I found that there was something I liked about her. I think everyone can relate in a least a small part to the feelings Libby has about the monotony of the same friends and meaningless activities day after day. It really is Libby's transformations and the lessons she learns that make the book though.

I really enjoyed many of the minor characters in the book, including Tina, Sheldon, and Sid. I wish that there was continuation of this book just so that I wouldn't have to give these amazing characters up! Tina was one of the most inspiring characters I've ever had the pleasure of reading - she was so strong and confident in herself despite overwhelming adversity and judgement!

I thought the zoo internship was an interesting idea. Having Libby become a better observer and a hard worker played a big role in her changes throughout the book. Plus, zoos are awesome! :)

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)
The Queen of Cool was a 2006 release, but if you missed it you should definitely check it out! I really shouldn't have waited until now to read it. Cecil Castelucci is a wonderfully talented writer...

Review: The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Title: The Looking Glass Wars
Author: Frank Beddor
Publisher: Dial Books
Date Published: 2006
Genre: YA
Main themes: love, friendship, orphans, fantasy worlds, murder, imagination
Pages: 358
Plot (from book jacket):
"Alyss of Wonderland?
When Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, must flee through the Pool of Tears to escape her murderous aunt Redd, she find herself lost and alone in Victorian London. Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carroll, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home. But he gets teh story all wrong. He even spells her name incorrectly!
Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth of Alyss' story and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return het to Wonderland so she may eventually battle Redd for her rightful place as Queen of Hearts."

Why did I wait so long to read this book!? I haven't read a YA fantasy novel that was this amazing in FOREVER! Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my absolute favorite stories and Frank Beddor's version is no exception! I loved the original Alice in Wonderland, but, gosh, this version is totally fighting for favorite.

The world of Wonderland and its inhabitants were so wonderfully imagined. Hatter Madigan was one of my favorite characters - he was just so intriguing and interesting. I was amazed by the characters and landscapes of Beddor's Wonderland.

Alyss was an awesome main character. I found myself rooting for her and the Alyssians in their fight against her crazy Aunt Redd and the bullying people from the other side of the Pool of Tears.

And, oh my goodness, Dodge! I seriously loved childhood friend turned jaded man. I can't wait to find out more about him and his and Alyss' relationship in the next novel, Seeing Redd (which is totally on the table right now begging me to open it and dive in!).

I can't say enough good things about The Looking Glass Wars! My dreams would come true if Beddor decided to rewrite Peter Pan as well - eeek!

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing Style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50!

Read it! I'm totally in shock of its awesomeness right now!

Review: Beka Cooper: Terrier (A Tortall Legend) by Tamora Pierce

Title: Beka Cooper: Terrier (A Tortall Legend)
Author: Tamora Pierce
Publisher: Random House
Date Published: 2006
Type of book: Fiction with some supernatural/magic
Main themes: law enforcement (Dogs), murder, magic, friendship, some romance
Pages: 581

Plot: from Amazon.com: "Orphaned Beka Cooper, 16, is a trainee-a "Puppy"-in the Provost's Guard. Having spent the first half of her life in Tortall's slums, she is driven by the need to do what is right and see justice done. Paired with two of the best Guards, or "Dogs," in the organization and aided by her own gifts of magic, Beka learns her job, makes friends with two mages and a thief, and uncovers two serial killers who prey on the poor and unnoticed. With Terrier, Pierce tries out a new style of storytelling and succeeds admirably. Beka, the ancestor of George Cooper from the "Song of the Lioness" series (S & S), tells her story through journal entries, making for a thoroughly engaging read."

I'd been meaning to read this book (or any of Pierce's books) for a really long time, but always seem to have something else at the top of my to read list. This time, I moved Beka Cooper: Terrier to the top of the list because I've heard so many good things about Bloodhound, the sequel to Terrier.

At first, I really wasn't that impressed. I was a bit bored, honestly. But then it started to get interesting. I NEEDED to know who was murdering the children - and when I first put all the clues together I was surprised - which is definitely a good thing because otherwise I would have stayed bored.

I'm also very intruiged by the character Rosto - who flirts endlessly with Beka, but she doesn't trust. I really want to believe that he isn't all the things she thinks he is - maybe I'm just a sucker for bad boys.

I also like how the story is told in the format of a journal - it lets the reader feel much closer to the story.

I have Bloodhound at home right now and can't wait to read it. By the end of Terrier, Beka was a new favorite heroine!

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing Style: 10
Romance: 10 (the romance present was good)
Memorable: 10
Total: 50/50 (A)

Review: Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe

Title: Bad Kitty
Author: Michele Jaffe
Publisher: HarperTeen
Date published: 2006
Type of book: Young Adult/Teen
Common Themes: Las Vegas, Murder, Mystery, Love, Friendship
Pages: 268
Plot (from book jacket):
“MEET JASMINE forensic supersleuth and unwitting victim of a naughty feline.
All Jasmine really wants is to enjoy her family vacation in Las Vegas. And avoid her evil cousin Alyson and Alyson’s best friend, Veronique. And show her suspicious dad that she can be a Model Daughter. And maybe meet the hot guy she’s been eyeing from across the pool. Is that too much to ask?
Apparently, yes. One moment she’s an innocent bylounger, the next the central figure in a Las Vegas-sized mystery. Fortunately, Jasmine is both a forensics enthusiast and possessed of some very, well, special friends. Polly, Tom, and Roxy crash the vacation, BeDazzle Jasmine’s wardrobe, and find themselves key players in the most outrageous adventure in a town known for outrageous adventures.
All because of a very bad kitty.”

I've read quite a few of Michele Jaffe's books for adults (The Stargazer, etc), but this is the first of her books for younger adults that I'd read. I wasn't sure that I wanted to read it - in fact, it came out a few years ago and I always passed by it, but I TOTALLY regret that now. Because this book is totally, totally HILARIOUS! For real - I absolutely loved it.

I like books that have a mystery element - especially one that doesn't have really obvious solution right from the beginning (because that just makes the lead up so BORING). Add that to some super funny characters that you wish you knew in real life and you've got yourself a book that you can't put down and has people looking at you funny as you laugh-out-loud when everyone else is silent.

One the unique aspect of this book were the subtexts throughout. Everyonce in awhile the characters would have side conversations at the bottom of the page that were so random and funny. It reminded me of some conversations my friends and I have had.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing Style: 10
Romance: 10
Memorable: 10
Total: 50/50 (A)

READ THIS BOOK! Right now! Or at least when you finish the one you're currently reading...