Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - Book Review | 12 Days of Bookmas Day 12

This review is a repost from last year and from my old blog. This is also the finale for my 12 Days of Bookmas, so I thought I was going to write something new. However, Stargirl is one of my all time favorite novels. I don't think there's a better way to end out any year without looking back and that's what I'm trying to accomplish here (I promise it's not a cop out, I have a good, solid review coming soon that I could have published tonight!). So, here are my thoughts on the must-read book by Jerry Spinelli - Stargirl.

Summary

Stargirl, a story about love and nonconformity. Really, that's all you need to know.

Stargirl was published in 2000. I read it a few years back and I loved it. But it was copy from the library, so I didn't have it. A few days ago, I decided I wanted to read it again and picked it up from Barnes and Noble, knowing that I wanted an actual copy.

Leo lives in Mica, Arizona and he is normal. Then a girl walks in the cafeteria and he sees her and she sees him and everyone changes. Stargirl sings "Happy Birthday" and she passes out cookies. She makes her desk at every class her home, complete with a vase. She carries around Cinnamon, a pet rat. She wears odd clothing and doesn't carry with her a regular backpack.

She is loved so much that they invite her on the cheer team. And then she starts cheering for the other team. They hate her.

Only as Leo starts to love her.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan - Review

This was originally posted on my old blog: shadowinthewindow

original publication date: 2-18-14

Firelight
Author	Sophie Jordan
Published Date	2010
Genre	Romance/Fantasy
Preceded By	N/A
Followed By	Vanish

Summary

Jacinda Jones is draki - a dragon who can shape-shift into human form. She can breathe fire, but is the first of her kind for decades. She's destined to get married to Cassian, the boy her sister is in love with. Her mother, who had turned against her draki form, forces Jacinda and her sister to flee. They escape into a desert town, that sucks the draki out of Jacinda. This is what her mother wants, but not her.

Then she sees Will, and he awakens the dragon inside of her. She will do anything to keep him with her - even if that means risking exposure of the draki world. Because Will and his family hunts her kind.

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau - Review

This was originally posted on my blog: shadowinthewindow

original publication date: 3-9-14

The Prophet of Yonwood
Author	Jeanne DuPrau
Published Date	2006
Genre	Science Fiction
Preceded By	The People of Sparks
Followed By	The Diamond of Darkhold

Summary

In Yonwood, North Carolina, Althea Tower has a vision of war. Nickie Randolph is unaware of this vision that has spread through the town when she and her aunt come to sell their late grandfather's house. There, she meets Amanda, a girl hiding in their closet, and Grover, a boy who likes snakes.

Every night on the news, and the conversations throughout the day, Nickie hears things about a looming war, fighting nations. Yonwood would do anything to keep their town safe with a shield of goodness. But Nickie isn't sure what's good anymore.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - Review

This was originally published on my old blog: shadowinthewindow

original publication date: 7-1-14

Shadow and Bone
Author	Leigh Bardugo
Published Date	2012
Genre	Fantasy
Preceded By	N/A
Followed By	Siege and Storm

The Aviary by Kathlee O'Dell - Review

This was originally posted on my old blog: shadowinthewindow

original publication date: 6-14-14

Please Note: This review is coming several months after reading this book. Mini-reviews will be reserved for cases such as this one. However, I feel strongly enough about this novel to compose some general thoughts on it.

The Aviary
Author	Kathleen O'Dell
Published Date	2011
Genre	Historical Fantasy - Middle Grade
Preceded By	N/A
Followed By	N/A

Summary

Clara Dooley is confined to the Glendoveer Mansion by a mysterious heart condition. Her only friends include her mother named Harriet, Ruby, the very old Mrs. Glendoveer, and a myriad of exotic birds that can only seem to squawk at her. After Mrs. Glendoveer passes away, Clara is left with the mystery of a secret past, a magician, a mass murder, a new friend, a strict mother, and several loud birds.

Legend b Marie Lu - Review

This was originally posted on my old blog: shadowinthewindow

original publication date: 3-24-2014

Legend
Author	Marie Lu
Published Date	2011
Genre	Dysopian
Preceded By	N/A
Followed By	Prodigy

Summary

June is prodigy from one of the wealthiest parts of the country. Day is a infamous street urchin, from the slums. You see, Day failed his test, and had no choice other than to steal and bet to get money. And June passed her test with a perfect score. Her brother works for the republic, and when Day and he cross paths, the Republic wants Day even more.