The Birthday Ball

Author: Lois Lowry 
Release Date: April 12th, 2010
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers 
Genre(s): Middle Grade Fantasy (Fairy Tale) 
Pages: 192
*Stand alone*

Summary (Goodreads):
Princess Patricia Priscilla is bored with her royal life and the excitement surrounding her sixteenth birthday ball. Doomed to endure courtship by three grotesquely unappealing noblemen, she escapes her fate—for a week. Disguised as a peasant, she attends the village school as the smart new girl, Pat,” and attracts friends and the attention of the handsome schoolmaster. Disgusting suitors, lovable peasants, and the clueless king and queen collide at the ball, where Princess Patricia Priscilla calls the shots. What began as a cure for boredom becomes a chance for Princess Patricia Priscilla to break the rules and marry the man she loves.

Review:

I loved this book! It was a quick and easy read, but it had a whole bunch of SAT words scattered in it, especially when Princess Pat talked to her cat (who knew there were so many words that rhymed with Delicious?).

The plot was generally predictable, but it was a sweet story and has your typical fairytale feel to it. It was mostly about Princess Pat and her search for adventure in a schoolhouse, but Lois also gave the other minor characters a voice too (in the case of the triplets, a singing voice!), which I appreciated, because it made all of them very memorable (especially Liz and Duke Desmond. They were just adorable!). 

I loved all the really awkward interactions Princess Pat had with the schoolmaster. It was super cute. Princess Pat is a little bit insensitive, and the story seemed a little rushed (it's a middle grade novel after all!:)), but overall, I really liked it. I haven't read such a light and cute tale in a long time!!:)

Thanks for reading!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Hattie Big Sky

Author: Kirby Larson

Release Date: September 26th, 2006

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers 

Genre(s): Middle grade, Historical
Pages: 289 pages

*1st book of a series*

~Spoilers are hidden! Just highlight the page to see them:)~

Summary (Goodreads):

Alone in the world, teen-aged Hattie is driven to prove up on her uncle's homesteading claim.
For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie's been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle's homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends--especially Charlie, fighting in France--through letters and articles for her hometown paper.

Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels threatened by pressure to be a "Loyal" American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie's determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.

Review:

There are few books that have made me cry . In fact only two books had managed to accomplish that deed. Until Hattie Big Sky came along.

Hattie Big Sky is a beautiful book about friendship, surviving, hope, and love. I absolutely love it! Her adventures and harsh, but truthful, ending left me feeling nostalgic for the countryside. 

I love love Hattie! She's kind of sassy but really kind hearted and super smart. Her interactions with the kids are so sweet, and it's really heartwarming to see how much she cares for them.

I love all the neighbors, from Rooster Jim to Leafie. The strength they give to Hattie and the bonds she forms with them is really sweet. And yes, I kind of like Traft Martin too. Even if he is a bit of a scoundral. After all, he is human too. 

The kids of Perilee are so cute. I love Magpie Mattie, Courageous Chase, and Little Fern.  It's absolutely heartbreaking when Mattie dies; be prepared for a salty waterfall of tears. 

The best thing I love about this book, and the reason it merits that 5, is because it's heart driven, not plot driven. There isn't really a big plot, more of like Hattie's adventures in Montana and the lessons she learns through Experience and love. Heart driven books are the best because they're the most touching and the most meaningful, in my opinion.

I totally recommend this book. It really doesn't matter whether you're a teen or an adult or a small kid; I guarantee you, this story will touch your heart.

Thanks for reading~!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Wonder

Author: R.J. Palacio 

Release Date:  February 14th, 2012 

Publisher: Knopf

Genre(s): Middle Grade, Contemporary 

Pages: 315
*Stand-alone*

Summary (from Goodreads):

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

   August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school-- until now.  He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how that can be.  The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face.  But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances? 

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

Review: 

Books like these remind me why I love Middle Grade novels just as much as YA.  

Gosh, this book is really beautiful. I love-love-Auggie and his relationship with his family- especially with Via. Though Auggie is great, Via is really my favorite character. I understand her and her role as the older sibling- which is never ever EVER easy, especially with a younger sibling who is treated differently because of his appearance. 

I also love how the book seems so real; nothing in that book could not happen in real life. But it's really sad too how real the book is. In this appearance conscious world, there are so many more Julians than Summers and Jacks. 

Auggie's quirks of being a ten year old reminds me of when I was ten. It brings back all my silly insecurities and how hard it is to be not quite a kid, but not quite an teenager either. It's heartwarming to see Auggie struggling to make sense of his world and everyone else's world and come out victorious at the end. 

People could really read deeply into this book and say it's about the nature of humans, blah blah blah, but in the end this book is just about a normal boy named Auggie who is living and learning- much like all of us.

And that is all.

Happy Readings~!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5