Adult Lit: The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Historical

Release Date: 10/25/2011

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About the Book: For graduation, Frankie receives a scrapbook and typewriter. Frankie begins chronicling her life in her scrapbook-from school, to a mysterious Captain James who sweeps Frankie off her feet, to finding old friends and making new ones. Frankie's story of a girl coming of age in the roaring 20s is told all through scrapbook pages and vintage photographs, postcards, advertisements, and more.

GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I first heard about this book when in won a 2012 Alex Award. When I found out it was told all in pictures and memorabilia, I knew I had to read it.

Frankie's story is so whimsical and fun, yet it's also heartfelt story of a girl who is trying to grow up, become independent, and figure out who she is during that crazy time of early adulthood. I love the way the author chose to tell Frankie's story through a scrapbook. There's a sticker on the cover that shouts "Full-color vintage memorabilia on every page!" which I love. Not only is it fun to look at and pour through just as you would a scrapbook filled with memories, but it matches Frankie perfectly. The author does an excellent job of weaving together various memorabilia she came across and placing it all together so that it made a cohesive story for Frankie. It's a fun graphic novel idea for grown ups and I would love to see more books designed and written in this format. (If anyone knows of any others like this, please let me know!)

Frankie starts out the story as an older teen, so it's easy to see why this book won an Alex Award. It certainly has teen appeal and is a great coming of age story and I would give it older teens looking for something unique and engaging to read.

While the story is cute and a bit light and nothing amazingly groundbreaking, I still loved and adored it. Frankie was a character I was sad to leave-she's spunky and hilarious and I savored every moment with her.

A charming read with a unique storytelling format that is sure to please older teens and adults.

Full Disclosure: Reviewed from finished copy I checked out from my library

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

Post Downton Abbey Reading List

Downton Abbey is over (with a shocking and frustrating ending!) and now I'm suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal. I've got a reading list full of books that I hope will satisfy my post-Downton Abbey cravings and I thought I'd share what's in my pile and get suggestions for other after Downton reads. Here's what I hope to be reading this year (a mix of YA and adult titles): A couple Julian Fellowes reads: And a few re-reads: Edited to add: What's on your Post-Downton Abbey reading list?

Tween Tuesday: Drizzle by Kathleen Van Cleve

Rating: 2.5/5 Stars Genre: Magical Realism Release Date: 3/4/2010 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Polly Peabody lives on a magical farm. They grow chocolate rhubarb, it rains every Monday at exactly 1:00, and her best friend is a plant named Harry. When the rain stops, Polly's brother falls ill, and her aunt wants to sell the farm, Polly must figure out a way to save her beloved home. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Drizzle is on our state book list and one of our Chat & Chew book club picks. The kids reviews were mixed on this one and sadly, it was my least favorite of all the books we read for Chat & Chew. The kids that liked it said it had action, but for me the plot was slow and dragged too much. The book could have been edited down and I lost interest in the story. I liked the magical farm that Polly lived on, but the magic wasn't enough to hold my interest. I felt like the plot went around in circles too much and never got going. The ending was also a bit

Nasir MusharafApril 18, 2013 at 5:24 AM
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Abby (The Lupine Librarian)April 19, 2013 at 12:55 PM
Great review, Sarah! This book sounds intriguing, I will definitely check it out :)

GreenBeanTeenQueen

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