Review: Lost in London

I am always looking for a fun read, and  Aladdin Mix novels fit this for me. The reads are usually fun, deal with tween issues in a light-hearted way, and leave me feeling good about life.

'Lost in London' is no exception.  

Title: ‘Lost in London’

Author: Cindy Callaghan

Pages: 240

Publisher: Aladdin

Available: NOW

Source: received from publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Twelve-year-old Jordan isn’t unhappy, but she’s definitely bored. So when she gets the chance to take part in a London exchange program, she’s thrilled to ditch her small town in Delaware and see the world across the pond.

Unfortunately, Jordan’s host sister in London, Caroline, isn’t exactly enthusiastic about entertaining an American girl. Despite the chilly welcome, Jordan finds herself loving the city and Caroline’s group of friends, who are much nicer than Caroline herself.

And then a major misstep leaves Jordan and Caroline trapped together overnight, inside Daphne’s, the world’s largest department store. Given they have complete access to all the fancy shoes, designer dresses, and coolest makeup around, there are worse places to be stuck. But when the girls’ fun has not-so-fun consequences, Jordan’s wish for excitement abroad turns into a lot more than she ever bargained for..

My Thoughts:

What an adorable tween read.

Jordan wants a bit of excitement in her life, and nothing says excitement like a trip abroad to London. But can she convince her parents? Of course. I mean, it wouldn’t be a story if the answer was no, right?

But what happens when Jordan arrives is nothing she is prepared for. After all, she is there for an adventure, and she finds one. One that is more than she bargained for.

Tween readers will find themselves thrown into the plot quickly. Callaghan does not wait to build her story; after all, she has to get her readers to London, right? By chapter two, that is where we are—and we do not stop until the novel’s conclusion.

While reading, I found myself giggling out loud as well as face palming. I mean, we are dealing with characters that are thirteen, so some of their choices are just…ridiculously ridiculous. But, I am not the audience of this novel, and the true audience will eat it up.

Jordan is a likeable character. She wants to be friends with everyone, live life to the fullest while in London, leave nothing out. Readers will see her transform throughout the novel into a more confident young lady, and that is what I really enjoyed about the novel. She is not a stagnant character—she grows, much like her adventures, and Callaghan shows readers what growing up is really about: taking life and going with it. It will not always be fun. The best decisions will not always be made. But, you deal.

As for Caroline, I really enjoyed her. After reading the description I was afraid she would be really unlikable, like ‘Mean Girls’ unlikeable. But that was not the case. She is just a typical teen is who forced to hang with someone when all she wants to do is do her own thing. How many of us can relate? I think tween readers will as well.

All of the characters brought a fun feel to the novel—Caroline’s friends quickly accept Jordan and take her under their wing. They are all fun. I want to hang out with them because they are smart, clever, and have British accents. What more could a girl want in friends?

I recommend this novel for fourth grade readers +. It is fun. It has a great message. But mostly, it is fun.

If you are ever looking for a fun tween read, the Aladdin MIX novels are always a go-to for me.

Note: There is a discrepancy in the summary—it says Jordan is twelve, but in the novel she is actually thirteen.

What tween read do you recommend?

Comment below and let’s talk about books.

Happy Reading!

-      The Hodgenator

Review: Witch Twins

I love a good witchy read, so when I saw this on Netgalley, I decided I had to read it. Such an adorable tween witchy read.

Title: ‘Witch Twins’

Author: Adele Griffin

ISBN: 9780786815630

Publisher: Hyperion

Available: NOW at your local library or book store

Source: Requested on Netgalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Ten-year-olds Claire and Luna are identical twins—and witches. Even though they can cast simple spells (with the supervision of their five-star-witch grandmother, Grandy) and know all sorts of magic, unfortunately no special charm can keep their divorced father from deciding to remarry. When he announces his engagement to Fluffy (her real name!), the girls panic, afraid he'll move to Fluffy's native Texas. Claire and Luna throw the problem into the brewing vats and hope to come up with a good, smart, tricky solution before the dreaded wedding.

My Thoughts:

This novel is a nice setup for follow up novels. Readers will meet two ten-year-old identical twins who just happen to be witches, and the only family member who knows is Grandy. After all, witchery skips a generation, and Grandy is a grand five-star witch who makes sure to train the girls so they can earn their first star.

See? Cute already.

In this first novel, we learn about Claire and Luna and their tight twinly bond. They seem to do everything together, especially witchcraft. So when their favorite teacher goes on maternity leave and they are left with a substitute, things get hairy. The sub decides the two girls need to form their own identities—apart from one another—and while one adjusts quickly, the other does not. If this is not bad enough, now their dad is re-marrying a woman named Fluffy, and they are not happy.

Shenanigans ensue throughout the plot, usually with hilarious consequences. Ultimately what the writer has given us is a tale of two sisters with a strong bond who want to do the right thing by everyone they love. They face the consequences head-on and try to deal with the aftermath with as much skill and grace as they can.

I want to say that I just adored Claire and Luna. They did not develop a lot in this novel, but as the first in a series, I can see the growth taking shape toward the story’s end. I would love to read the other three novels in the series to see the characters come full circle as sisters, as friends, and as witches.

Grandy was such a fun character. I mean, her name is “Grandy”! Doesn’t that sound like someone who would bake cookies, sew a dress, and teach her granddaughters witchcraft? She has a lot of spirit in this book, and her goal is to help Claire and Luna reach their full potential as witches to earn their first star.

The girls’ parents were also an interesting lot. Neither is aware of the girls ability for witchcraft, but they are aware of girls being ten. And then there is their brother, who really doesn’t add anything to the story, making him more of a third wheel. I’ll be curious to see if Griffin does anything with him in the other books.

I do have one complaint: the new book cover. It does not match this novel. The girls on the cover look a lot older than ten, marketing to twelve-year-olds. If we are going to deal with characters that are ten-year-old little girls who do not wear make-up and are enjoying being ten, then the cover should reflect that. The older cover does, and I understand why they wanted a more modern cover, but it just does not fit.

I would recommend this to readers of Diana Wynne Jones fans who enjoyed ‘Witch’s Business’ because this novel has the same feel to that one. This is suitable for readers aged 8+.

What’s the cutest witchy read you’ve read recently? Comment below and let’s talk about books.

Happy Reading!

-      The Hodgenator

Armchair BEA: Talking Tweens

I’m so excited for today’s Armchair BEA topic - children's lit!

As stated on their blog, this genre includes everything from children’s books to YA novels. For me, I am going to use this post to share with you ten of my favorite tween reads.

Now, the ones I'm sharing today are aimed at tween girls. These would be great reads for ages nine to twelve, and they all have made me smile, laugh, get a little teary-eyed, but at the end made me feel good about life.

I hope you enjoy!

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (J. Blume)

          Summary from Goodreads:

Margaret Simon, almost twelve, has just moved from New York City to the suburbs, and she's anxious to fit in with her new friends. When she's asked to join a secret club she jumps at the chance. But when the girls start talking about boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret starts to wonder if she's normal. There are some things about growing up that are hard for her to talk about, even with her friends. Lucky for Margaret, she's got someone else to confide in... someone who always listens.

No Cream Puffs (K. Day)

Summary from Goodreads:

MADISON IS NOT your average 12-year-old girl from Michigan in 1980. She doesn’t use lipgloss, but she loves to play sports, and joins baseball for the summer—the first girl in Southern Michigan to play on a boys’ team. The press call her a star and a trailblazer, but Madison just wants to play ball. Who knew it would be so much pressure? Crowds flock to the games. Her team will win the championship—if she can keep up her pitching streak. Meanwhile, she’s got a crush on a fellow player, her best friend abandons her for the popular girls, the “O” on her Hinton’s uniform forms a bulls-eye over her left breast, and the boy she punched on the last day of school plans to bean her in the championship game.

Mean Ghouls (S. Deutsch)

          Summary from Goodreads:

If Megan thought life at her new boarding school was going to be easy, she was dead wrong. All the students have the same mysterious virus--one that's slowly turning them all into zombies. The teachers at Zombie Academy are lifeless and the food stinks. Literally. And worst of all, the clique of popular mean girls who rule the school have already decided that Megan's dead to them.

All Megan wants is to get back to her old school and her old friends. But until a cure is found, she'll have to figure out how to survive middle school.

Ten (The Winnie Years) (L. Myracle)

          Summary from Goodreads:

Winnie Perry is turning ten and ten is BIG: it means double digits, more responsibility, and being an almost-middle-schooler. Ten means that Winnie can handle anything, even a three-year-old baby brother and a practically teenage (and acting like it) older sister. And with her best friend, Amanda, by her side, Winnie plans on enjoying every last second of their last year in elementary school.

This prequel to the New York Times bestselling Winnie Years series will thrill the tweens who grew up with Winnie and introduce a whole new generation of readers to a heroine they can grow up with.

The Agony of Alice (P.R.Naylor)

          Summary from Goodreads:

Alice McKinley is about to become a teenager, but she doesn't know how. Her mother has been dead for years, and what do her father and her nineteen-year-old brother, Lester, know about being a teenage girl? If only she had a role model, like the beautiful sixth-grade teacher Miss Cole. But instead Alice gets assigned to plain, pear-shaped Mrs. Plotkin's class. Is Alice doomed to a life of one embarrassment after another?

Agnes Parker, Girl in Progress (K. O’Dell)

          Summary from Goodreads:

Agnes Parker isn't the class outcast or its queen bee-which is okay except that sometimes the middle just seems . . . really . . . ordinary. So Agnes sets out to be a different version of the girl she's always been. Someone who won't always get clobbered by bullies, who can some-times be cool and confident-and maybe catch the eye of that new boy in class?

New author Kathleen O'Dell offers a wise and funny story for all immersed in the thrilling and treacherous process of becoming. Kids will find a new friend, and plenty of reflections of their own thoughts and feelings, within the pages of this refreshing and insightful tale.

Accidentally Fabulous (L. Papademetriou)

          Summary from Goodreads:

Meet Amy Flowers: She’s a seventh grader who marches to her own beat. Being the new girl at super-exclusive Allington Academy doesn’t break her stride!

Meet the League: They rule the school, and their queen is oh-so-mean Fiona, who doesn’t exactly appreciate Amy’s individuality.

Amy is doing her best to fit in at her new school, but Fiona and the rest of the League aren’t making it easy for her. If she can pass their tests, she’ll be part of the in crowd—but what will she have to give up to fit in?

The Teashop Girls (L. Schaefer)

          Summary from Goodreads:

Annie, Genna, and Zoe have been hanging out at the Steeping Leaf since elementary school. The Teashop Girls do everything together -- at least they used to. With the end of eighth grade approaching, Genna's too busy with theater, Zoe's always at tennis, and Annie feels totally left out. What happened to tea every week, no matter what?

When Annie convinces her grandmother to give her a job as a barista at the Leaf, things begin to look up. In between whipping up chai lattes for customers, and attempting to catch the attention of her Barista Boy crush, Annie is finally beginning to feel as grown-up as her best friends. But an eviction notice spells trouble for the Leaf and unless they can turn the business around, the teashop will have to close its doors forever.

Fresh, honest, and sweet, Laura Schaefer's debut novel is sure to resonate with readers everywhere.

Miss Popularity (F. Sedita)

          Summary from Goodreads:

Meet Cassie Knight. Bubbly, stylish, and super-friendly, she's the fashion queen at her Texas school. But when her father's job moves the family to cold, snowy Maine, Cassie's in for a huge culture shock. At her new prep school, the students are prim and proper, and worst of all, they don't find Cassie as fabulous as she knows she is! Then Cassie comes up with a brilliant idea for the school fundraiser. If she can pull it off, she may just become Miss Popularity again . . . but if not, is she doomed to remain friendless forever?

Katie and the Cupcake Cure (C. Simon)

          Summary from Goodreads:

This first book in The Cupcake Diaries is told through the perspective of Katie Brown. We find Katie miserable on the first day of middle school. Her best friend Callie came back from camp boy-crazy and part of a whole new group of friends. When it's made clear that Callie is in the PGC (Popular Girls Club) and Katie is not invited to join, Katie suddenly feels incredibly alone. Katie realizes if she’s going to survive middle school she needs to seriously regroup and find some new friends. But how? She bites into the cupcake her mother packed her for lunch and for a second closes her eyes. The sweet treat makes her happy—finally something goes right! Looking around her table, Katie notices the other students seeming a bit lost, as well. Which gives her an idea…With three new friends Katie forms a club as a way to spread the cupcake love and earn some cupcake cash.

That’s my list – what’s on yours today? Any tween suggestions from you?

Comment below and let’s talk about books.

Happy Reading!

-      The Hodgenator