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From the Publisher:
Something strange is happening at the Clarksville City Zoo. Late at night, monkeys are scaling the walls and searching the neighborhood— but what are they looking for?
Noah, his sister Megan, and their best friends, Richie and Ella, live next door to the zoo. Megan is the first to notice the puzzling behavior of some of the animals. One day Megan disappears, and her brother and their friends realize it's up to them to find her. Their only choice is to follow a series of clues and sneak into the zoo. But once inside, will they discover there's much more to the Clarksville City Zoo than they could ever have guessed?
My Review:
You won’t be able to repress a smile when you encounter a polar bear named Blizzard, a prairie dog named Hot Dog, or a rhinoceros named Little Bighorn! Bryan Chick creates a fantastic animal realm by vividly describing different sectors of the zoo. He also leaves enough out to let your imagination create the rest of the zoo.
There is enough action to keep unenthusiastic readers turning the pages. The constant foreshadowing will keep readers guessing and reading more. The mini cliffhangers at the end of most chapters make it hard to put the book down!
The importance of friendship and teamwork are constantly reiterated throughout the novel. Most challenges faced by the four children are solved using these ideas which fosters positive themes to younger readers. It is shown mostly through Noah who is absolutely endearing, doing anything he can to find his sister.
Although there is closure at the end of the novel, Chick has left his fantasy world open for new adventures for the four friends. Secrets and Shadows is due for release on February 1, 2011.
The Bottom Line:
Filled with page turning suspense and delightful animal characters, The Secret Zoo is a must read for young readers who love animals. The book is also ideal for averse readers or a child looking for adventure. 4/5
Form the Publisher:
Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.
Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?
Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .
Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .
From debut author Jillian Larkin, VIXEN is the first novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic new series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . when anything goes.
My Review:
The highlight of Vixen is the way the 20s comes alive (eg: Some Like It Hot, The Great Gatsby). There are mobsters who run the smoke filled speakeasies as well as glamorous flappers dancing to jazz music. The girls are also constantly using phrases that were popular during the 20s. Larkin has made an effort to keep within the time period, and it truly shows.
Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the three girls which allows for the characters to develop somewhat independently. You can also understand the reasoning behind the deceptions and backstabbing that take place between the girls, allowing the reader to sympathize with all three characters.
Faced with modern teenage dilemmas (interracial relationships, societal pressures, etc.), you can easily relate with any of the girls. Naturally, loyalties are tested as each problem unfolds showing betrayal after betrayal.
Unfortunately, the pacing of the novel is off. The first 200 hundred pages are entirely set up, and the story really doesn’t pick up until the second half of the novel. This can be overlooked because you will not want to put it down once the backdrop of the novel is set.
Of course there is a surprise twist at the end, leaving readers waiting for the release of Ingenue on August 9, 2011.
The Bottom Line:
Vixen is a charming, character driven, historical fiction novel for older teens. It’s great for those who want to try out the historical fiction genre or anyone wanting romance with a hint of mystery. 4/5
I love books. This blog is being created so I can share my thoughts with people other than my coworkers (i.e. people who want to know). The reviews will be brief, simply stating the pros and cons of each book. It will be for people who want an overview of a book, not a lengthy analysis. Since I work in the children’s department of a bookstore, I primarily read children and young adult books. The publisher’s description of the book will be posted, but I will not go into details of the plot. Half of the fun is discovering the story yourself!
I hope you enjoy!
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