The Time-Traveling Fashionista At The Palace Of Marie Antoinette - Bianca Turetsky

The sequel to The Time Traveling Fashionista aboard the Titanic

- THE BLURB -

Louis Lambert's best friend's thirteenth birthday party is fast approaching, so of course the most important question on her mind is, "What am I going to wear?!" Slipping on an exquisite robin's egg blue gown during another visit to the mysterious Traveling Fashionista Vintage Sale, Louise finds herself back in time once again, swept up in the glory of palace life, fancy parties, and enormous hair as a member of the court of France's most infamous queen, 

       Marie Antoinette.

But between cute commoner boys and glamorous trips to Paris, life in the palace isn't all cake and couture. Can Louise keep her cool - and her head! - as she races against the clock to get home?

- SUMMARY -

Louise Lambert is invited to another of the Time Traveling Fashionistas vintage sales, last time Louise went she went back 100 years and became Miss Baxter a 19-year-old actress aboard the Titanic. Now, she goes back a few more centuries into the fabulous palace of Marie Antoinette. 

Louise was only just in a history lesson learning about the tragic end to Marie Antoinette and her inner circle just a few days ago. Will Louise be able to escape being beheaded? 

 - RATING -

I rate this book a 9/10 because it was very descriptive and nerve racking and I have always loved historical books. 

- PERSONALLY - 

Personally, I really enjoyed this book because it was very factual and I felt like I was in the book with Louise and her companions. 

- RECOMMENDATION -

 

 I recommend this book to people 11+

Take care,

Megan

 

Hope Was Here - Joan Bauer

- THE BLURB -

One new life . . . Coming right up!

When Hope and her aunt move from New York City to small-town Wisconsin to run the local diner, Hope's not sure what to expect. Luckily, she's used to thinking on her feet - she hasn't become a terrific waitress by accident. And when G.T., the diner's owner, decides to run for office against the corrupt mayor, Hope's drawn into G.T.'s vision of the future. Because, after all, everyone could use a little hope to get through the tough times...Even Hope herself. 

- SUMMARY -

Hope, a 16-year-old girl who lives with her Aunt Addie. They used to work in a diner in Brooklyn, Addie as the cook and Hope as a waitress. When the diner in Brooklyn goes out of business they decide to move to Wisconsin to help out a diner, which the owner has cancer. Just after arriving, they find out it's election time for the local mayor - and G.T. decides to run, which certainly angers the present mayor who has a lot of power.

Hope wonders if G.T. will be able to survive. 

- RATING - 

I rate this book a 9/10 because it's a great story about friendship and integrity. 

- PERSONALLY -

Personally, I really enjoyed this book because it just had me hooked and it's a sweet story. 

- RECOMMENDATION -

I recommend this book to people 11+

 Take care,

Megan

Close to Famous - Joan Bauer

- THE BLURB -

Foster's making the world a better place - one cupcake at a time!

When you've been chased out of Memphis by a scary Elvis impersonator and end up in the tiny town of Culpepper, where nothing much seems to happen, it's hard to hold onto a big dream. And Foster has a really big dream: one day she hopes to have her own TV cooking show like her idol, Sonny Kroll. Meanwhile, she'll keep on doing what she does best - baking. 

Soon Foster discovers she's not the only one in Culpepper with a dream of fame. Macon desperately wants to make documentary films, Miss Charleena longs to returns in triumph to Hollywood, and Foster's mother hopes to be a headliner instead of a backup singer.

Meanwhile, Culpepper seems to provide a safe haven. But Foster and her mother can't hide forever.

 - THE SUMMARY -

12-year-old Foster, who has a love for baking, and her mother have to escape from Memphis in a hurry after a row with an over the top Elvis impersonator. After they're sure Huck, isn't following them they just drive and drive and drive to try and gt as far away from Memphis as possible, one night it's dark and foggy and the roads are windy they just park the car and fall asleep...they next morning they realised how close to death they were. The tow truck owners are what lead them to the town of Culpepper. Hopefully, Foster and her mother will be at peace for a while longer.

- RATING -

I rate this book an 8/10 because it was a sweet story of an ambitious young girl and just had me hooked from the first chapter.

- PERSONALLY-

Personally, I rather enjoyed this book because it was a sweet story of friendship and everyday problems. 

- RECOMMENDATION -

I recommend this book to people 11+

Take care,

Megan

Hey Guys!

Hey Guys!
Sorry I haven't been posting lately, been a bit caught up in some hospital stuff..There'll be heaps more posts coming now..so many books to share with you!

Megan

The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place - e.l Konigsburg

- THE BLURB -

 The summer is just beginning, and Margaret is having a miserable time at camp - her cabin-mates, the Meadowlarks, are picking on her. She's delighted when her beloved, eccentric uncles and their dog, Tartufo, whisk her back to their ome at 19 Schuyler Place. 

But Margaret soon learns that her uncles are in need of rescuing too. The three giant towers they have spent the last forty-five years building in their backyard are under threat by the city council.

To Margaret, the towers are irreplaceable works of art. The sing of joy, integrity and history ... and Margaret is determined to make sure they always will. 

- SUMMARY -

Margaret Rose Kane is at Talequa camp while her parents spend the summer in South America - Camp is not going good. The Alums, who have spent every summer for the last few years at the camp together are ganging up on her, playing silly pranks just to get her in trouble. So, her uncles rescue her and take her back to their house in Old Town. Margaret loves her Great-Uncles house - especially the towers. But Margaret learns that they are being demolished by the city council as the are deemed "Unsafe". Margaret is determined to save these towers...will she be able to? 

- RATING -

I rate this book a 9/10 because it was so intriguing.  The twist and turns and style of writing had me from the first chapters.

- PERSONALLY -

Personally, I really enjoyed this book. Margarets family and culture was very interesting to read about and I just love the style of writing. 

- RECOMMENDATION -

I recommend this book to people 11+

 

The Dead of the Night - John Marsden

Note: This is the second book of the Tomorrow When the War Began series

- The Blurb - 

The astonishing adventure continues 

When you've run out of choices, you've only got yourself.

As war rages, as the enemy closes in, as Ellie and her friends fight for their lives, 

they are left with nothing. 

Nothing but courage, spirit and pride. 

 - Summary -

Ellie and her friends have blown up the Heron Bridge and lost two friends but have continued to survive without being captured. 

They now are getting impatient and bored from being stuck up in Hell all day long, so they decide to have some action.

So, they kill a few soldiers but then retreat back into the sanctuary of Hell.

But then decide to see if there's a way out of Hell via bush. 

But who will stay back and look after Hell? Will they find anything? 

- Rating -

I rate this book a 9/10 again, because it's gut-wrenching, life-like and always has me on the very, very edge of my seat. 

- Personally -

Personally, I really enjoyed reading this book because it's scarily life-like and extremely gut-wrenching. 

- Recommendation -
I recommend this book to people 11-12+ 

Tomorrow When the War Began - John Marsden

- Blurb -

The astonishing adventure begins

Ellie and her friends leave home one morning, wave goodbye to their parents, and head up into the hills to camp out for a while; seven teenagers filling in time during school holidays. 

The world is about to change forever.

Their lives will never be the same again.

Would you fight? Would you give up everything? 

Would you sacrifice even life itself? 

- Summary -

Ellie and seven others decide to go camping one week to fill up the last of the holidays, but this time they decide to go further...up Tailors Stitch and into the isolated basin of Hell. One night Ellie wakes up to dozens of planes flying low overhead with no lights. Everyone thinks it's the Wirrawee Show, but they joke about the start of World War III.

Ellie's, Homer's, Robyn's, Kevin's, Fi's, Chris' and Lee's lives will never be able to survive. 

- Rating -

I rate this book a 9/10 because it is thrilling, descriptive, and frighteningly life-like. 

- Personally - 

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I struggled to put it down...it had me on the very edge of my seat. 

- Recommendation - 
I recommend this book to people 11+

There are 6 other books in this series. 

Lula does the Hula - Samantha Mackintosh

Sequel to Kisses for Lula 

-THE BLURB-

Aloha! I'm Tallulah Bird - or Tatty, or Lu. 

But mostly people call me Lula. 

So, my big news is . . . I've finally been kissed. Eeeeee!

 I have and actual, factual boyfriend!

At least, I thought I did. But things with the perfect boy aren't going to plan - thanks to his journo pal, Evil Jazz. 

And that's not all. Hoooo no. In a few days I've got to dance the hula in public, put a stop to some seriously serious criminal activity, win a race, and stop Dad from shaming me totally with his wEiRdiNess. Frikkly frik! 

Where is my normal life? Huh? Where? Please, someone, tell me I'm not jinxed forever . . .

-SUMMARY-

Lula is now 16...and she's been kissed! Eeeee! But the rumourmill has been working again and people are saying Jack de Souza is dead! But, no! Lula may have broken the curse! But will she be able to keep Jack since Evil Jazz has got only got eyes for him?

But since Lula injures her back, she has to start rowing! Will she be able to get her teammates to like her? She also got caught up in a murder case...will she be able to save the day? 

-RATING-

I rate this book an 9/10 because I couldn't put it down...there was too much twists and turns you didn't know what was going to happen next. 

-PERSONALLY- 

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it was jam-packed with so much drama and mystery. 

-RECOMMENDATION-

I recommend this book to people 11+ 

 Lula does the Hula by Samantha Mackintosh 

Kisses for Lula - Samantha Mackintosh

-THE BLURB-

Lula Bird is gorgeous, funny and dreading her birthday because you can't turn 16 if you've never been kissed... So why does every boy in Hambledon run a mile the second she bats her eyelids? The fact is, the fear for their lives. Rumour has it Lula's been jinxed! And it's not as if that's her only problem: Lula thinks she has a stalked, her dad keeps sneaking out at night with a lady's hangbag, and a mysterious theft is threatening to bring the town to it's knees... With only 5 days to go till her birthday, can Lula get the guy, solve the crime and jilt the jinx for good? 

-SUMMARY-

Tallulah Bird is an average 15-year-old...except rumour has it she's been jinxed! Whenever Lula get's close to having her first kiss something tragic happen... But that's not Lula's only problem, she fears her dad may be cheating on her mum, she has a suspicion that she has a stalker and someone is threatening to destroy her Grandma's special place for voodoo. Will Lula be able to get the guy, shake the stalker and save Hambledon history? 

-RATING-

I rate this book a 9/10 because I couldn't put it down...you just never know what you're going to find next. 

-PERSONALLY-

Personally, I really enjoyed this book because it was very mysterious and life-like. 

-RECOMMENDATION-

I recommend this book to people 11+ 

Kisses for Lula by Samantha Mackintosh 

Sapphire Battersea - Jacqueline Wilson

The sequel to Hetty Feather

-The Blurb-

Hetty Feather was given her name when she was left at the Foundling Hospital as a baby. But she always longed to be named after her incredible sapphire-blue eyes. When she is reunited with her mother, she hopes her new name, Sapphire Battersea, will also mean a new life. But things don't go always as planned . . . 

Follow the twists and turns of Hetty's adventures as she begins work. She longs to be reunited with her dear Jem, but also finds a new friend, Bertie the butcher's boy. Despite her hopes for the future, Hetty's life seems likely to take a darker path. Can she cope with the trials ahead? 

-Summary-

Hetty finally found her mother, Ida! But when someone goes snooping everything goes bad. But then, after 14 long years in the Foundling Hospital, Hetty is off to work as a housemaid. She meets a nice boy and is half-reunited with another. Will Hetty be able to cope the servant life without dear Ida? 

-Personally-
Personally, I really enjoyed this book! Again, it made me cry and laugh. Jacqueline Wilson still continues to amuse me :-)
-Rating-
I rate this book a 10/10 because it was very descriptive and I really felt like I was there with Hetty.
-Recommendation-
I recommend this book to people 9+

Sapphire Battersea by Jacqueline Wilson

Forever - Judy Blume

-The Blurb-

There's a first for everything.

When you build up something in your mind--really imagine it, wish for it--sometimes, when it actually happens, it doesn't live up to your expectations. 

True love is nothing like that.

Especially not for Katherine and Michael, who can't get enough of each other. Their relationship is unique: sincere, intense and fun all at the same time. Although they haven't been together all that long, they know it's serious. A whole world opens up as young passion and sexuality bloom.

But it's senior year of high school, and there are big changes ahead. Michael and Katherine are destined for another big "first": a decision. Is this the love of a lifetime or the very beginning of a lifetime love?

-Summary-

Katherine and Michael met on New Years Eve at Sybils party...and can't get enough of each other. They hang out every weekend, talk on the phone every night and have major sexual attractions for each other. Even though they have only been together for a little while they are still in love. But is there a difference between first love and true love? 

-Personally-
Personally, I really enjoyed this book in spite of some inappropriate moments..
-Rating-
 I rate this book an 8/10 because it was very descriptive and lifelike.
-Recommendation-
I recommend this book to people 14+

Forever by Judy Blume

Cookie - Jacqueline Wilson

-The Blurb-

Beauty Cookson is plain and timid, and all the super-confident and snooty girls at school think her name is ridiculous and tease her horribly. 

Worse than the taunting in the playground, though, is her father's constant, hurtful criticism. Beauty and her mum live in fear of Dad's fierce rages - sparked off when they break one of his fussy house rules or suggest something 'silly' like getting a pet. But Beauty's mum adores her, and does her best to keep Beauty happy despite all the tension and shouting. 

After BEauty's disastrous birthday party, Dad's temper seems to be out of control. Are mum and Beauty brave enough to leave and start a sweeter new life? 

-Summary-

Beauty Cookson is an average 11-year-old girl. Her dad owns a successful real estate company 'Happy Homes' and her mum stays at home. Beauty hates her name, especially when the snooty girls at school twist it around and start calling her 'Ugly'. But when Beauty's birthday is coming up, all she wants is a pet rabbit- which her father absolutely won't hear of. She also has to cope with a day of Skye and her little group making fun of her at her own party. When will this life get too much?
-Personally-
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this book because, is was very lifelike and because it is what some family's are really like.
-Rating-
I rate this book a 8/10 because it was very life-like.
-Recommendation-
I recommend this book to people 9+

Cookie by Jacqueline Wilson

Mad Love- Suzanne Selfors

-The Blurb-

Writing her own love story could drive a girl insane!

As the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life for sixteen-year-old Alice Amorous should be pretty good. But ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness, Alice has been forced to maintain a brave front--lying to her new crush, Tony; answering fan letters; forging her mother's signature; telling the publisher that all is well. Now time is running out, and so is their money. The new book is overdue and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs to deliver a new novel for her mother--and she needs to come up with one fast. That's when she meets Errol, a strange guy claiming to be Cupid, who insists Alice must write about his tragic romance with Psyche--the greatest love story of all time. Only, Alice doesn't believe in Cupid. . . .

-Summary-

Alice Amorous is a average sixteen-year-old except, her famous author mother- Belinda Amorous is a patient is a mental hospital diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. When Alice finds out that there is ten thousand dollars on the line she is determined to get a story written under her mothers name. But when Errol comes along claiming to be Cupid and demanding Alice writes his story she just can't cope. 

-Rating-
I rate this book a 9/10 because it was very descriptive and I couldn't put the book down.
-Personally-
Personally, I really enjoyed this book because it was descriptive and very life-like.
-Recommendation-
I recommend this book to people 11+

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors
Note: Brought a few tears to my eyes. :'( 

The Time-Traveling Fashionista - Bianca Turetsky

-The Blurb-

WHAT IF A BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE DRESS COULD TAKE YOU BACK IN TIME?

Louise Lamber has always dreamed of movie starlets and exquisite gowns, and longs for the day when she can fill the closet of her normal suburban home with stylish treasures. But when she receives a mysterious invitation to a vintage fashion sale in the mail, her once painfully average life is magically transformed into a time-travel adventure.

Suddenly on board a luxurious cruise ship a hundred years ago, Louise relishes the glamour of this opulent age and slips into a life of secrets, drama and decadence. 

-Summary- 
Louise Lambert is an average twelve year old girl, but with one hitch...she LOVES vintage! Whether it's that faded pink cardigan with only a tidy moth bite or that fancy blue cocktail dress with the fluffy hem, Louise has to have it. When Louise finds the perfect dress for the year 7 semi-formal goes backwards...literally. Louise ends up back in 1912 aboard a first class cruise ship and is loving being a 17 year old movie star but when she has 'premonition' it all goes down hill...
-Rating-
I rate this book a 9/10 because it was all so realistic had me sucked right in.
-Personally-
Personally, I really enjoyed this book because it wasn't like a normal narrative. There were unexpected turns and was unpredictable.
-Recommendation-
I recommend this book to people 11+

The time-traveling fashionista by Bianca Turetsky
NOTE: There is a sequel to this book...blog post coming soon. 

SPECIAL POST

This new post is going to be all about the authors whose books I read, I will do one weekly, first up is . . . 

JACQUELINE WILSON

Jacqueline Wilson, born in Bath, England on December 1945, is and English award winning

author known worldwide. Jacqueline's father, Harry Aitken, was a civil servant; her mother, Margaret 'Biddy' Aitken, worked as a housewife, also finding the odd jobs such as a dinner lady, or a bakery worker. Jacqueline spent most of her childhood growing up in Kingston upon Thames, where she went to Latchmere School. As a child, Jacqueline, was very imaginative and enjoyed spending her spare time either filling endless amounts of stories into notebooks or reading a countless amount of books. At the age of nine, Jacqueline wrote her first 'novel', Meet the Maggots, which was 18 sides long. Although Jacqueline was exceptional at English, she had no interest in mathematics she rather gazed out the window and came up with new stories and games rather than paying attention in class. This caused her teacher nicknaming her 'Jacky Daydream'. She then used this as the name of her first autobiography. After Latchmere she moved onto Coombe Girls' School which she still visits to this day. Kingston University has also named the main hall in Penrhyn Road Campus the Jacqueline Wilson Hall. Having left school at the age of 16 Jacqueline started training as a secretary but then applied to work at the Dundee-based publishing company DC Thomson on a new girls' magazine called Jackie. DC Thomson hired her after she penned a piece on the horrors of teenage discos. Jacqueline focused on her writing, initially writing a few crime fiction books before dedicating herself to Children's books. At the age of 40 Jacqueline took A-level English passing with grade A. Jacqueline had around 40 books published before she rose to fame in 1991 with the novel "The Story of Tracy Beaker". Jacqueline's books mostly focus on real life issues such as abuse, grief, divorce, foster care and mental illness, Jacqueline says "I want to write to every age group, in a way that can prepare them for what happens in the real world, and raise the awareness levels of many life changing situations. I want to be a friend, really." 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON JACQUELINE WILSON YOU CAN HIRE OR PURCHASE HER OFFICIAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY NAMED 'JACKY DAYDREAM' 

Hetty Feather - Jacqueline Wilson

THE BLURB: 

London, 1876

Hetty Feather is just a tiny baby

 when her desperate mother leaves

 her at the Foundling Hospital. 

The hospital cares for many such 

children - but Hetty must first live

with a foster family until she is big enough for school.

Hetty is poor but happy living in

the countryside with her 'brothers', 

Jem and Gideon. She helps in the

 fields and plays vivid imaginary 

games. The children sneak off to

visit the travelling circus and

Hetty is mesmerized by the show, 

especially Madame Adeline and 

her performing horses. 

But Hetty's happiness is threatened 

once more when she is returned 

to the Foundling Hospital. The new

ultra-srict regime is a struggle 

for her. But on the day of  Queen 

Victoria's Golden Jubilee, Hetty 

gets the chance to see Madame 

Adeline again - and maybe find 

he real mother . . . 

SUMMARY: 

Hetty Feather is only just a new born baby when she is shipped off to another strange

family. Hetty has three other Foundling Hospital siblings, Martha, Saul and Gideon 

and 5 'real' siblings. When Hetty is close to turning 6 she is heartbroken. She was going

back to the Foundling Hospital. No more Jem and their imaginary games, no more Mother

and no more freedom. 

RATING:
I rate this book a 10/10 because it felt so realistic because Jacqueline makes it so detailed.
PERSONALLY:
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it felt like I connected with Hetty
and it's just so realistic. I actually cried. :'(
RECOMMENDATION: 
I recommend this book for people 11+ 

HETTY FEATHER BY JACQUELINE WILSON

TIP: KEEP THE TISSUES CLOSE BY :) 

Falling Apart- Jacqueline Wilson

The blurb-
'I'm sorry, but I don't want to live any longer.
Jan, I'm leaving you my blue cashmere sweater and all my books, even though they mostly belonged to you in the first place.
Louise, you can have my dimante brooch and all my make-up and any clothes you want. I'd like Carly to have my toy dog.
Goodbye.
Love from Tina.'
At fifteen, Tina decides there's no point going on. Her home life is miserable. School is just as bad. And, more than anything, how can she go on without Simon?
Falling in love shouldn't mean falling apart.

Summary-
Tina is a 15 year old girl who falls in love too fast. Since her twin brother, Tim died, her mother is always staring into space, her 18 year old sister, Louise has moved out and her other sister Jan is thinking Tina's annoying, basically life has been unlivable. . . Until she falls in love.

Rating-
I rate this book a 8/10 because it is very realistic and people in real life can relate to it.

Personally, I really enjoyed this book because there were plenty ups and downs and many people could relate to it, although, I can see why they put this is the Young Adult part of the library.

I recommend this book for people 13+