Catch A Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published April 29th 2014 by Scholastic Press 

Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life?

For those who know me well, you know that I have a whole file of useless information in my head... all about celebrities!! Yup. I know birthdays, who got married, who had a baby (Kelly Clarkson just did and named her River Rose!!)... you get the picture. I even have a trophy! 

Carter and I are very different. She couldn't name celebrities to save her life, but one certainly came in and through her for a loop. In this fantastic novel, Carter is faced with a situation that most girls would die for, but she looks at as a way to fix a problem... I would die! Haha! I loved that even though it would have been easy to fall into the typical fangirl mode, Carter never did. She stayed true to herself and didn't back down. That is a powerful message to girls- don't change for someone else! Stay who you are!! 

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and already have some names in mind of who to share it with!  Visit Kim Culbertson's website here to see more about her, her projects and see if she is coming your way!

Happy reading!!

 

Half A Chance by Cynthia Lord

Hardcover, 218 pages

Published February 25th 2014 by Scholastic Press 

 

A moving new middle-grade novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES.

When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught her -- he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography is really special -- or only good enough.

As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . . . including her own.

 

Cyntia Lord has done it again. I love when I read a book and it is just honest. The characters are real, the emotions are real, and you just feel like you are living in the story. That is how I feel about this amazing novel. There was such an emotional connection to this book and the more I read it, the more I could picture certain students of mine reading it (their names are on a sticky inside so that I can give it to them when we get back to school). Words cannot express the emotional connection that comes with the book. Maybe part of that deals with having life experiences, but I truly think that it is just that good of a book. I will say, that I had to have tissues for the last bit of the book, but I had warning from my friend Donalyn's review so I am warning you too! 

Run, don't walk, and get this book (or just go to Amazon and click "Buy it now" here!!)

Happy reading!

The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford

hardback 248 pages
publication: July 30th 2013 by Scholastic Press

A new breathtaking novel from Natalie Standiford about love and trust during the Cold War.

Laura Reid goes to Leningrad for a semester abroad as Cold War paranoia is peaking in 1982. She meets a young Russian artist named Alexei and soon, with Alexei as her guide, Laura immerses herself in the real Russia--a crazy world of wild parties, black-market books and music, and smuggled letters to dissidents. She must keep the relationship secret; associating with Americans is dangerous for Alexei, and if caught, Laura could be sent home and Alexei put under surveillance or worse. At the same time, she's been warned that Soviets often latch onto Americans in hopes of marrying them and thus escaping to the United States. But she knows Alexei loves her. Right?

As June approaches--when Laura must return to the United States--Alexei asks Laura to marry him. She's only nineteen and doesn't think she's ready to settle down. But what if Alexei is the love of her life? How can she leave him behind? If she has a chance to change his life, to rescue him from misery, shouldn't she take it?

 I read this novel right after returning from a weeks vacation in Germany visiting my best friend who was a foreign exchange student my senior year in high school. While I was there, I was able to see the world through a different lens, so to speak. I saw remnants of World War 2, peaceful protests and demonstrations about the Turkish insurgency as well as many other things that we see in the news, but don't necessarily experience first hand. This book did the same for me. It is set during the Cold War and Laura is experiencing the world through a different lens just as I did, but on a grander scale. 

Laura goes to Russia intent on experiencing the culture that she fell in love with though its language. She doesn't, however, intend to fall in love. The dynamics between Laura and Alexei (also known as Alyosha) are powerful and heartbreaking. Natalie has done an amazing job at showing just how much different worlds can be, yet be faced with the same emotions and heartbreak. I was completely sucked into the world in which Alyosha lives and shows Laura and was pulling for them the entire time.  There was so much authenticity in this novel that when I read that Natalie Standiford spent time there during college, I could feel the passion and authenticity even more. 

This beautiful love story is avaliable today so make sure to head out and get it! 

Happy reading!!