Reader Girls Blog

Publisher: Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers Date: January 2010 Page Count: 212 Reading Level: Ages 12-UP BOOK DESCRIPTION: Sixteen-year-old Erin Misrahe just wants to be like everyone else in her new school. But Erin has more to worry about than passing AP Chemistry or making friends. In times of stress, she has always been overcome by her alter ego, Shevaun, whose violent behavior wreaks havoc on those around her. Erin can never remember anything about these episodes, and she's grateful to have been spared them for a while.  But when a protective friend comes back into Erin's life, he insists that Shevaun is a vampire who actually exists apart from Erin. Shevaun has dangerous allies, like the handsome witch Adjila--and they're determined to sever Shevaun's connection to Erin once and for all. MY REVIEW: I am a fan of Atwater-Rhodes' vampire novels. Despite some flaws and problems, I have enjoyed her take on the fanged otherworldly creature's l

**2010 Debut Author Challenge List** Reading level:  Ages 9-12 Hardcover:  240 pages Publisher:  Putnam Juvenile (January 7, 2010) BOOK DESCRIPTION:  Ludelphia Bennett may be blind in one eye, but she can still put in a good stitch. Ludelphia sews all the time, especially when things go wrong. But when Mama goes into labor early and gets deathly ill, it seems like even quilting won't help. Thatas when Ludelphia decides to do something drastic--leave Geeas Bend for the very first time. Mama needs medicine that can only be found miles away in Camden. But that doesn't stop Ludelphia. She just puts one foot in front of the other. What ensues is a wonderful, riveting and sometimes dangerous adventure. Ludelphia weathers each challenge in a way that would make her mother proud, and ends up saving the day for her entire town. Set in 1932 and inspired by the rich quilting history of Geeas Bend, Alabama, Leaving Gee's Bend is a delightful, satisfying story of a young girl