Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab

Rating: 4/5
Matisse Osgood has moved from New York City to Prague, New York. Her father was a sculptor, until he finds out that he has Parkinson's disease. She must make friends and adjust to the change of her surroundings. She also wants to keep her father's sickness a secret.
Matisse finds one good friend in Violet, who is unique like her. She also has her utterly dorky neighbor Hal, who is slowly growing on her. Matisse also has made an enemy in Jennifer, the average mean girl. Jennifer starts making rumors about Matisse's father. Matisse has to let the truth out about her dad.
Alive and Well in Prague, New York is a gorgeous novel about a girl learning about her father's illness and the acceptance that she needs to find. The setting was well set in this passage of the book:
"For the millionth time I considered the terrible irony of moving to Prague, a town named after one of the coolest cities in the world, yet pretty much the most pathetic place I'd been to in my entire life" (pg. 3).
It set up the small town feel, especially with the hay rides and such. The characters were about a million times better. I loved Matisse and Violet's attitude and their wonderful style. They were some of the most awesome fictional characters that I have met in a while. I loved Matisse's love of ABBA. Matisse and Violet are characters that you will love, because they are just one-of-a-kind. I also like the little bit of romance in the novel.
I reccomend this Alive and Well in Prague, New York, if you are looking for a quick and a very cute book about friendship and family. You will love this book.

In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg

Rating: 4/5

Molly's mom has remarried and she is getting dragged on her mom's honeymoon. That is to do a house swap in Boulder, Colorado. Charlie Richard learns that his moms plan to take him and his sisters to Hollywood. Molly's doesn't feel that she'll get the inspiration to make her designs. Charlie feels lost on the streets of Hollywood and just wants to be on the trails. Both are sure that they will have a boring summer. Until they learn about each other, in their rooms.

I found this book to be very cute. It was also a quick read, and very face paced, while still giving the whole story. Both Molly and Charlie are interesting characters, that you will want to be friends with. The plot also was not predictable. So, it you are looking for a very cute and quick read, I recommend In Your Room.

Happy Reading!

-Sarah

Skinned by Robin Wasserman

Rating: 4/5
Summary: Lia Kahn was perfect. She was popular, a perfect boyfriend, rich, and gorgeous. Then one day, Lia got in a accident that should have killed her. She wakes up to find out that she has been downloaded to a human-like robot. Lia is not pleased with the process and doesn't want to be a "Skinner".
Lia goes back to school and things have changed. Her friends have left her behind, because of what she has become. Her boyfriend is disgusted by her and starts going out with her younger sister, Zoe. Lia is still the same girl for the most part. She finds companship in Auden, the class nerd, but does he like her for her brain or her technology.
Lia soon meet a group of people that have had the "download process", too. They call themselves, mech-heads. They want her to join them. Can she trust them, but what else does she have to lose?
Notes: This book was really good. I liked the characters and the philosophy in it. Like what makes you human. It also had great emotion, even though that she isn't suppose to be able to feel anything. At first, I had a hard time getting in to this, but then could not put it down. The character had a strong voice. I can not wait for the next book in this trilogy, because the book does have a major cliff hanger. I reccomend this if you liked Mary E. Pearson's The Adoration of Jenna Fox or M.T. Anderson's Feed.
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW4TwsgUD80
Happy Reading!
Peace out, Sarah.

Sleepless by Terri Clark

Rating: 4/5

Summary: Trinty Micheals is able to walk throught dreams. She put away a murderer, Rafe as a pshychic and is known as "Dream Girl" after a leak. Kiri came to her about a year ago asking for help. Trinity's best friend Coral is going away for Soccor camp. Coral gives her a "homework assignment", she is suppose to buy a blue dress, go out more, and to go on a date.

Trinity meets Dan Devlin. He is the son of the defense lawyer that got Rafe off on insanity. Trinity's mother goes away to Europe on a long awaited trip. Soon, Trinity sees Rafe in her dreams and he can harm her. The only person to turn to is Dan. They find out that Rafe has escaped and will go after anyone to get to her. She must stay awake to stay alive.

Notes: This book is very supenseful, but has some romance. I found Dan to be very cute and I loved the little romance that was going on. I also found it to be a very quick read. I really liked the character. It was well written. Her dreamwalking didn't seem fake and was well developed. The pop culture refrences were also very nice and enjoyed them. This was amazing for a debut novel and I can't wait for more from Terri Clark. If you have read Lisa McMann's Wake, I am sure that you will enjoy this also.

Check out Terri Clark's blog: http://terriclark.livejournal.com/

Sleepless Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5AK9guCVKI

Happy Reading!

Peace out, Sarah.

A Curse as Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Score: 4/5
Summary: Charlotte Miller has been responsible for her family, since her father has passed. This includes the family's wool mill, Stilwaters that is suppose to be cursed and so is her family, The Millers. The town of Shearing depends on it for their survival. Suddenly,Charlotte and her sister, Rosie find that there is a mortgage. After getting blacklisted and not being able to sell their wool in England.
A strange man called Jack Spinner, appears and offers to make hay in to golden thread in exchange for a ring of Charlotte's that used to belong to her mother. They were able to make the first payment. More incident occur, and Jack Spinner comes to their rescue. The Price gets higher and higher. Will it be worth it to pay him or is it just too much?
Notes: I liked the characters, I found them interesting and well developed. Though, the plot didn't really get to me until about page, 250 and there was only 400 pages. I did find it very well written and original. This is obviously a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, and that being my least favorite fairy tale. I found this refreshing and a very good book. I look forward to more from Elizabeth C. Bunce. Happy Reading!
Peace out, Sarah.
P.S. For some reason, it is posting wrong. Sorry, I just spent an hour trying to fix it. I have more reviews to do.