Dream Life by Lauren Mechling

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Genre: Mystery

Release Date: 1/12/2010

About the Book: Teen psychic Claire Voyante is back in this second installment. Claire's friend Becca has started to hang out with her old prep school friends and Andy is sending mixed signals. When Claire discovers Becca's part of a secret society-and that someone is out to get them-Claire must use her cameo necklace and dream gift to save the girls-and her beloved New York.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: The second book featuring Claire Voyante was just as fun as the first. (It is the second book, but you could read this one without reading the first book, Dream Girl since the author does include a minor re-cap) I felt the mystery storyline picked up faster in Dream Life than it did in the first one and we spent more time with Claire trying to figure out what was happening.

The thing I liked the most about this one was that the rich girls were all nice. There wasn't a typical mean girl rich snob, which I thought made the book feel a little more real. I didn't think of the secret society girls as high society rich girls-they were all characters I could see my friends in, which made me like them. Never fear, there's still some mean girl plot if you love to read about mean rich girls!

The mystery seemed a little far-fetched at times, but I still had lots of fun reading and it kept me guessing, which is always good. Claire is a somewhat refreshing narrator-she's an average teen girl and I think that makes her relateable to readers. She also has a great family dynamic-her eccentric grandmother Kiki still remains my favorite character.

There's also a bit more romance in this one, so if you like mysteries with a hint of romance, Dream Life will be right up your ally. The series could continue, but the end wraps things up nice enough that if this is it for Claire, I'm happy with the ending-no cliffhangers here. I'm hoping we do see more of Claire in the future.

Full Disclosure: Sent to me for review by the author/publisher.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 5/5 Stars Genre: Realistic Fiction Release Date: 2/26/2013 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Eleanor and Park are both misfits. When new girl Eleanor sits next to Park on the bus, they don't want anything to do with each other. But over the course of the school year, things change. It starts with comic books and becomes a friendship and a romance that the two will never forget. You never forget your first love. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Have you ever had a book sit on your shelf that you've heard so much hype about? And you think that books sounds like it would be right up your alley, but you're in a reading slump and you're afraid to give it a try unless it fails? I knew Eleanor and Park sounded like my perfect book, but I was in such an after committee slump that I even though I knew this book would help, I just didn't want to be disappointed. I should have known better because Eleanor and Park was perfect and everything that I had hoped it wou

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About Me

Hello! My name is Sarah and I am a Youth Services Manager who works with kids, tweens and teens. I love being asked about great books to read! I started my blog in 2008 as a way to keep track of what I've been reading and to use a reference tool for reader's advisory and it's grown into much more than I could have ever anticipated. In addition to book reviews, I also enjoy posting audiobook reviews, booklists and my adventures in being a librarian. 2017 Library Journal Mover and Shaker Committees: 2021 Newbery Committee 2018 Odyssey Committee 2016 Caldecott Award 2013 Michael L. Printz Committee- Fabulous Films Committee I have also served on the Cybils, Missouri State Library Association Readers Selection Lists, and as an Audies judge. Presentations : I have offered various presentations at local, state and national libraries and conferences. Topics have included: What's New in Children's & Teen Literature Engaging Teens in Reader's Advisory Gee

NinaFebruary 22, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Sounds okay! I havent read the first book in this series, but I have seen the cover and it's fun!
Thanks for the great review.
RobbyFebruary 22, 2010 at 3:27 PM
Interesting. I enjoyed your review! :]

GreenBeanTeenQueen

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