The Book Review Club (July 2011)

Good Wednesday morning to you all and welcome to the 31st meeting of The Book Review Club! It's been warm and humid here in So. Cal. Instead of the usual coffee and cookies, we're serving chilled fresh fruit salad and sparkling lemonade. Please note that Scott Parker is reviewing an adult western novel by our own David Cranmer writing as Edward A. Grainger! And, in attempt to mix things up a little, I'm turning today's review post over to Child #4 (my 11-year-old daughter) and her good friend, J, who both loved the following book.

THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler

From amazon.com: When her mother moves them from the city to a small town to open up a cupcake bakery, Penny's life isn't what she expected. Her father has stayed behind, and Mom isn't talking about what the future holds for their family. And then there's Charity, the girl who plays mean pranks almost daily. There are also bright spots in Hog's Hollow - like Tally, an expert in Rock Paper Scissors, and Marcus, the boy who is always running on the beach. But just when it looks as though Penny is settling in, her parents ask her to make a choice that will turn everything upside down again. A sweet novel about love, creativity, and accepting life's unexpected turns.


The girls answered the following questions while...munching on cupcakes! This review is short and SWEET! :)

What did you like about this book?
J: It was my favorite type of genre--realistic fiction. I liked how it ended and came together.
#4: I liked how the characters interacted with each other. The book was very detailed, and this made me feel like I was in it.

What was your favorite scene in the book?
J: The mean girl's birthday party because her mom got splattered with watermelon and cupcakes.
#4: Ditto.

How does it relate to your life?
#4: I bake cupcakes. Also, the town Penny moves to reminds of where my grandparents live.
J: There's always a mean girl who thinks she's all that.

Both girls own The Cupcake Queen and plan to re-read it. And that's a great compliment!

And, now, onto the wonderful reviews prepared by our wonderful reviewers. Please click through and enjoy!

MIDDLE GRADE/YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEWS

Jody Feldman: JEREMY BENDER VS. THE CUPCAKE CADETS by Eric Luper (middle grade)

Lucy Sartain of Ranting and Raving: FAIRY BAD DAY by Amanda Ashby (young adult)

Ellen Booraem of Freelance Ne'er-do-well: MONSTERS OF MEN by Patrick Ness (young adult, entire Chaos Walking trilogy is reviewed)

ADULT BOOK REVIEWS

Beth Yarnall: YOURS TO KEEP by Shannon Stacey (romance)

Kaye of the Road Goes Ever Ever On: THE WINTER SEA by Susanna Kearsley (historial)

Patti Abbott: THE PACK by Jason Starr

Kathy Holmes: AN INCONVENIENT WIFE by Megan Chance (women's fiction)

Scott Parker: ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES by Edward A. Grainger (western)

Linda McLaughlin: SILENT IN THE GRAVE, SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY, SILENT ON THE MOOR by Deanna Raybourn (3 Lady Julia Grey historial mysteries)

Alyssa Goodnight of the Writers' Road Less Traveled: SPIDERWEB by Earlene Fowler (mystery)

Note to Reviewers: Any errors (broken link, missed review, etc), just shoot me an email or leave a comment. Thank you so much for your reviews!