Review for "Graceling" by Kristin Cashore

Kristin Cashore begins her novel with a dark heroine in a troubled setting. Katsa is her uncle's “lady killer.” Graced from childhood with an ability to kill, Katsa learns to have very few friends and keep herself numb of the emotions of others around her.

Thats is, until she meets Po, a Lienid prince who shows up at her uncle's castle looking for his kidnapped grandfather. As Katsa learns to trust and eventually love Po, she finds herself along the way. They team up to find his grandfather's abductor, traveling across the country side to Monsea where the king is hiding a deadly secret. Katsa and Po wind up trying to rescue King Leck's young daughter from his own hands.

My only complaint with this book is that I'm disappointed to have been built up and excited as I read through the plot, only to find a lack-luster ending.

I felt the last 60 pages were rushed. The defeat of the evil King Leck wasn't nearly as satisfying as it should have been. The ending just wasn't strong. The reader is swept along in the whirlwind of events that occur after the understated climax, and it seems the remaining surprises are wrapped up much too quickly.

I'm giving this book three stars for its fast-pace beginning and entertaining storyline, and hesitantly recommend it to readers of young adult fantasy, particularly those who like a love story woven into the fabric of fantasy.

Kirkus Reviews has released their list of the best teen books for 2011. Check it out at http://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2011/teen/. There you will also find links to their lists for the best children's books for 2011. Happy reading!

Wonderful read aloud book!

The Sundancer

Ben Joy

ISBN-13 978-0982300923

The Sundancer, written by Ben Joy, is a great read aloud story book. It's vivid colors and fun dance moves capture the imaginations of young children as they follow the story of a village boy who dances to make the sun rise each morning. This story teaches values of community involvement (i.e. the sun won't rise for the village until the boy dances) and makes for a fun read. Well done!

Reviewed by Jennifer L Stone, 11/18/2011

Thought-Provoking Adventure

The Nameless World

Heather Payer-Smith

ISBN-13 9781461112655

Noah is the target of the school bullies every day. They taunt him, take his possessions and even hit him over the head with his own book!

The young protagonist is afraid to fight back, but when the bullies throw his favorite book into a mud puddle during recess he snaps and launches a rock at the biggest bully's head. A teacher comes at the sound of the bully's distressed cries and Noah hides behind a large oak tree.

It is there that he finds his missing science teacher's glasses and two mysterious puzzle pieces that transport him to another world. As Noah travels through this world trying to get back home he makes new friends, discovers an ecosystem with life-giving rivers and rescues native creatures from being eaten by bigger beasts. He also discovers that the humans of this world aren't well liked by the native creatures – for a very good reason: they are destroying the delicate ecosystem along with the creatures who depend on it.

Noah must find his way through this world to the Chatalbin who can send him home, and to do this he must find the courage within himself to brave the nameless world.

The Nameless World is an exciting and thought-provoking adventure that middle grade readers are sure to love.

Reviewed by Jennifer L. Stone