Nerds, an Intelligent Boy, a Queen, Her Maid, a Reporter & a Scoundrel…

Ah ha – caught your attention did I?  Well here are some books that your tweens and teens might want to read.  A guest post by none other than my 14 year old daughter Amber, who read all these books (one of them in just a day!).  She’ll share her thoughts, on why your kids might want to read them too!

NERDS: M is for Mama’s Boy by Michael Buckley
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Amulet Books; 1 edition (September 1, 2010)

Nerds come in all shapes and sizes.  Some are tall, some are short, some are skinny, some are…not so skinny.  But have you ever imagined they might be top-secret government spies?  NERDS follows the adventures of five of these nerds who really are spies!

M is for Mama’s Boy is the second book in the NERDS series, following the five agents (Gluestick, Flinch, Wheezer, Braceface, and Pufferfish) in an effort to stop their enemy Simon, who has recruited a man who lives in his mom’s basement to help him!

NERDS delivers a wonderful action packed comedy to the scent that flows perfectly from the first book (which I recommend you read before this one!).  It will be enjoyable by all nerds and geeks, present or past, who really wish they were secret agents!  I know I sure do!

The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter by John Gosselink
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Amulet Books (October 1, 2010)

I myself have never been in detention, let alone ISS, but I can imagine how miserable it must be…especially when you’re completely innocent.  The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter is the story of one innocent boy in ISS for the rest of the school year.  I guarantee you will laugh your socks off while reading this.

While Thaddeus may not be as innocent as he thinks he is, it’s interesting to read his views on the issues that have gotten him where he is now.  From a real life danger drill, to setting his pastor on fire, and accidently choking old people with citrus, you’ll laugh at Thaddeus’ self-assurance that he’s done the right thing.

The book is a light-hearted comedy that I think kids of all ages will enjoy.  I know I enjoyed it mostly for its quick-witted humor that’s sure to make your spleen hurt and won’t allow you to close the cover.

Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books; 1 edition (October 13, 2010)

With its pink cover reading the words of ‘a novel of intrigue and romance’, I was not eager to begin reading Prisoners in the Palace.  However, after finishing the last half of the novel in a day I was surprised to find that I really did like it.

The book centers on Elizabeth Hastings, who arrives in England to find marriage, but ends as an orphan left with unpaid debts.  She takes up a job as Princess Victoria’s maid and plunges into a mystery that will lead to a very dangerous plot.  Liza, Her Majesty, a boy who lives in the walls, and a charming newspaper man, will help the princess become queen.

I really enjoyed the theme of the book.  It starts off slow, but really picks up later in the book, you can’t put it down until you know how it ends.  On top of that, besides some of the main characters and some plot elements, the whole story is true!  Michaela MacColl did an amazing job capturing the tale and I recommend it to older teens, especially girls, looking for an engaging history lesson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the products mentioned above for free for review purposes . I was not required to write a positive review and this product may not have the same results for all people, please do additional research of your own when purchasing products mentioned in reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

  

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