I Will Always Write Back - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 16
Title: I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives
Author: Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda with Liz Welch
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: 04/14/15
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This book is many things, but above all, it is a good story.  It is a true story which makes it all the more important. It uses real letters that were written when this story took place to help convey the story.  Honestly, the narration was OK, but it wasn't especially lyrical or overly put together.  But I think that even if the writing was mediocre, the story as told through the letters would still be strong.  The letters are what hold this book together. Another thing that I appreciated about this book was the consistency of the narration.  Oftentimes, with a book  that has two authors, you can easily distinguish who wrote what.  I think that the consistency that we see here is definitely because of the book's third author, who does not play a part in the story, and she did an excellent job.
Memorable or Forgettable: One especially memorable quality for me is how much the two main characters changed throughout the story and how reading things that the other wrote made them realize so much about themselves and what they value.
Cover: The cover was definitely the reason I picked up the book.  It was bright, engaging, and seemed as though it would be about sending letters, which is something that I enjoy.  I'm quite fond of how the title is the most important part of the cover, and it is almost as if it is uniting the two continents, which is something that the two main characters try to do as well.
Age Range: Under 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q - Better than most
Popularity: 4P - Broad general teen appeal


tags:  non-fiction / memoir / cultural awareness / ya lit

Tomboy - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 15
Title: Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir
Author: Liz Prince
Publisher: Zest Books
Pub Date: 09/02/14
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This graphic novel felt very authentic and real, as it should of course, being a memoir.  As it portrayed Liz's childhood, it showed her growing into her identity, so the character development was very strong here.  I also enjoyed how the author balanced showing her feelings at the time, communicated through dialogue in the scenes, with how she feels later, shown in the captions.
Memorable or Forgettable: A memorable quality of this book for me was the way the book focused on a large chunk of Liz's life.  It was fun to watch her confidence regarding her identity grow and grow, especially towards the end of the book.  It would have been easy to make this book solely focused on gender identity, but it chronicles other aspects of Liz's life as well, which made for a satisfying read.
Cover: The cover very accurately reflects the book.  The face on the cover shows the sort of unamused expression that readers will become familiar with throughout the book.  However, the words "graphic memoir" were really what tempted me to pick up the book.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal


tags: graphic novel / graphic memoir / gender identity / ya lit

Lies We Tell Ourselves - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 15
Title: Lies We Tell Ourselves
Author: Robin Talley
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pub Date: 9/30/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book is like nothing I have seen before.  It is about two girls falling in love during the integration of a high school in Virginia.  One girl is white, the other is black.  This seems like it might be the sort of book that tries to slam you with its many messages and morals, but that is not what happens at all.  The various themes of the book were well-balanced, and not overly done in any way.
Memorable or Forgettable: The entire premise of this book is quite memorable, but there are other aspects of it that stood out to me as well.  Some of the most interesting parts of the book were when the main character, Sarah, is trying to convince Linda why segregation is bad. Linda is the daughter of an ardent segregationist, and some of her most ingrained beliefs are so thick-headed that you just want to grab her by the shoulders and shake her.  The discussions of the two girls are always realistic, and it was uncomfortable to read about someone arguing for segregation in a thorough, detailed way.  Also, I have not read any historical fiction books in which characters begin to discover their sexuality like this one. Overall, I would say that this is an excellent book that deals with important issues in a well-thought-out way.
Cover: This cover does reflect the contents, but what grabbed me was the phrase: "A stunning novel about love, race and finding the truth".
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: Set during the turbulent times of the integration of public schools in the sixties, this book is about what happens when two girls, one white and one black, begin to fall in love.


tags:  school integration / sexual identity / civil rights movement / GLBT / ya lit

Monstrous Affections - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 15
Title: Monstrous Affections: An Anthology of Beastly Tales
Author: Kelly Link and Gavin T. Grant
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pub Date: 09/09/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: As is often the case with short story anthologies, some stories in this book were quite good, and others not as much.  Overall, it seems that the shorter stories in the book, in which we only given quick snapshots of the characters and their monstrous aspects or relationships with monsters were more enjoyable to read because they allowed the reader to fill in gaps with their own imaginations.
Memorable or Forgettable: One of the more engaging stories, entitled Son of Abyss, follows characters with varying and unique monstrous characteristics, which made the story feel fresh and exciting.  But stories involving frequently seen monsters such as vampires and werewolves were somewhat forgettable.
Cover: The cover tempted me because it showed a monster that wasn't immediately seen as a vampire or werewolf.  I was also drawn to the idea of a book about monsters rather than supernatural creatures.  The cover did a good job of showing the overall nature of the book.
Age Range: 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

tags:  anthology / short story / monsters / ya lit

The Children of the King - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace K.L.
Age: 15
Title: The Children of the King
Author: Sonya Hartnett
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pub Date: 03/25/2014
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This book takes place in Britain during World War II, and does an overall good job of capturing the atmosphere of the War.  I felt disconnected to the protagonist, Cecily, who seemed terribly naive and foolish.  This could have worked; however, the third person narrative voice seemed rather high and mighty about Cecily's behavior.  Cecily's brother, Jem, however, was a wonderful character.  I identified with him, and though his actions were not excusable, they were understandable.
Memorable or Forgettable: I feel that I might not remember the plot of this book for very long, but if anything is going to stick with me, it is the character of Jem, for the reasons listed above.
Cover: When I picked up this book it did not yet have a cover.  After viewing the cover online I will say that it accurately reflected the contents if the book.
Age Range: Under 12 through 13
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 2P Only for special interest
Additional Comments: It appears that this is being marketed as middle grade.  I do not agree with this.  Though it is about children, I would say that the style of narration is more suitable for upper grades.

tags:  historical fiction / World War II / ya lit

Caminar - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 14
Title: Caminar
Author: Skila Brown
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Pub Date: 03/25/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book:  In my opinion, the hardest thing to do when writing is convey a story in very few words.  Skila Brown has done this masterfully in a free verse novel set during the Guatemalan Civil War.  The first three poems convey the setting and and atmosphere there without flat out saying it.  Background information necessary for understanding the war is given slowly, much in the way that Carlos also learns it.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was memorable not because it just told a great story, but the poems all worked on their own as just a poem.  The author did an excellent job of creating a sort of mosaic.  Each of the poems stands well on its own, but together they convey the story of Carlos.
Cover: I am fluent in Spanish, so seeing the title in Spanish was what caused me to pick up the book.  The cover does convey the sense of hiding in an unfamiliar place.
Age Range: Under 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 2P Only for special interest
Annotation: Carlos only knows life in the village where he has grown up in Guatemala.  But when the soldiers come and terror takes the village up in its grasp, Carlos' only option is to run.


tags:  coming of age / Guatamala civil war / poetry / ya lit

A Corner of White - YA Review by Grace KL.

Reader: Grace KL.
Age: 14
Title: A Corner of White
Author: Jaclyn Moriarty
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Pub Date: 04/01/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book did several things very well.  The character development was well paced and the surprises unexpected but believable.  The inner thoughts of the characters were a little unbelievable for the real world, but perfect for the style of this book.  Also, the two main settings in this book seem very different at first, but the author very cleverly makes some important similarities between the two clear.

Memorable or Forgettable: This book had an abundance of memorable qualities.  The characters were zany, but each in their own special way.  The Kingdom of Cello was well developed, with the provinces each having their own vastly different qualities.  Even the events that take place in the real world felt similar to a different kind of fantasy as well, like the character being assigned to pretend that they are a famous scholar from Cambridge, or the main character running away from home 13 and a half times.

Cover: The only reason I picked up this book was because it was by Jaclyn Moriarty.  The cover does not fit the book, and does not at all suggest the fantasy elements and the Kingdom of Cello.  Something with a rainbow on it would be nice, or with more colors because those are central features of the book.
Age Range: 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Additional Comments: Previous books by Jaclyn Moriarty have been told only with things written down by the characters like letters, memos, lists, diaries etc. but this one is a straight out narrative with some letters and notes mixed in.
Annotation: In the Kingdom of Cello, Elliot is frantically trying to locate his missing father. Meanwhile, in the World, Madeleine and her mother have run away from home to Cambridge. Elliot and Madeleine start communicating, and the two worlds seem more similar than ever before.

tags: fantasy / magical realism / mystery / contemporary / ya lit

Relic - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 14
Title: Relic
Author: Heather Terrell
Publisher: Soho Teen
Pub Date: 10/29/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The main character was well developed, but I felt as though I didn't know the rest of the characters very well.  The book made me think about how technology impacts our way of life, but probably not in the extreme fashion that the society in this book thinks it did.
Memorable or Forgettable: The most memorable parts of the book were the plot and setting.  To have a post-apocalyptic society in northern Europe was something I had never seen before.  The whole basis of the plot: that our society worshiped the false gods Apple and Mastercard, was very interesting and new.  I would have liked to know more about the world at the beginning of the book, so that when things came up in the end that surprised the main character, the reader would be surprised as well.
Cover: The cover's bright colors really make it stand out on the shelf.  The snow, ice and crevice in the middle show what the book is about, but I really like having the medieval city in the far corner as well.  Seeing it there makes it seem unlikely that the book is post-apocalyptic fiction.
Age Range: under 12 through 15
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

tags: fantasy / science fiction / dystopian / adventure / survival / post apocalyptic / ya lit

The Princess in the Opal Mask - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 14
Title: The Princess in the Opal Mask
Author: Jenny Lundquist
Publisher: Running Press
Pub Date: 10/22/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: At the moment, I can't decide whether I would recommend this book.  The political maneuverings were well described and the identity themes were quite well done.  However, the dialogue in tense or action scenes did not flow, and I had difficulty picturing the setting.
Memorable or Forgettable: One nice part of this book was that romance was not the main theme of the book, as it has been in other books like this one that I have read recently.  The parts where the two main characters grappled with their own feelings versus their duty to the two countries also felt very real.
Cover: The mask on the book conveys a sort of mystery which was involved in the book.  I would have liked to see something pointing to Elara's background on the cover as well.  One thing I liked about the cover was that the mask stood on its own--either of the girls could be wearing it.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

tags:  suspense / fantasy / ya lit

The S-Word - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 14
Title: The S-Word
Author: Chelsea Pitcher
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub Date: 05/01/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: This book had a very calculating yet raw voice, which ended up working well.  The dialogue occasionally seemed rather improbable for the high school setting, and the characters were often described using some sort of label, but that was fitting since labels make up part of the theme of this book.  Angie, the main character, developed greatly through the book.  She starts out bent on justice for her friend's tormentors.  As the book progresses, her ideals and methods of pursuing justice change drastically.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was very memorable because it honestly tackled some serious topics, such as rape and suicide.  The plot kept me guessing at what was going to happen next.  It also tackled different themes, like labeling and gender roles in society, which were very present in the book without seeming forced.
Cover: This cover screams at you.  I was initially afraid of picking it up and being forced to defend my reasons for reading it.  However, it does fit the nature of this book, and the main character's method of expressing the injustice of her friend's death.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal
Annotation: When Angie's best friend Lizzie is branded a slut by their high school, Lizzie decides to take her own life.  When graffiti and pages from Lizzie's diary start appearing around the school, Angie decides to find out the truth.

tags:  bullying / suicide / ya lit

Waiting for the Queen: A Novel of Early America - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 14
Title: Waiting for the Queen: A Novel of Early America
Author: Joanna Higgins
Publisher: Milkweed Editions
Pub Date: 09/15/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This book began as an intriguing idea. The setting is Azilum, a settlement in Pennsylvania that was a refuge for French nobles fleeing the revolution. However, the writing disappointed. The dialogue seemed forced, and at times did not seem historically accurate, though I'm no expert. Also, several of the minor characters seemed to only exist at the convenience of the main characters. One good thing about the book was Eugenie's character development. She changes drastically, yet believably, from the the beginning of the book to the end.
Memorable or Forgettable: One memorable thing about this book is the context. The fact that French nobles came to America was something I had never heard of, and learning how that came about was interesting. Other than that, the book did not have any memorable qualities.
Cover: The book's cover doesn't really have much to do with the book, other than it being a painting from the time or in the style of the time. It did clearly show that the book is historical fiction, which encouraged me to pick it up because I enjoy that genre.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 2P Only for special interest

tags:  coming of age / French Revolution / Quakers / slavery / historical fiction / ya lit

Allegra - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 14
Title: Allegra
Author: Shelley Hrdlitschka
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Pub Date: 04/01/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I mostly enjoyed this book because of the strong elements of music that I identified with.  As Allegra works on the composition you can see her change as a person and become more receptive to new ideas.  I enjoyed the way the author described Allegra's composition, with flowing phrases that blended with the rest of the book.  Allegra's reactions to problems with her parents felt natural and authentic, and I enjoyed the way her success in dancing mirrored the events in her life.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was memorable for me because it talked a lot about composing, something I am interested in but have never seen in a book.  One thing that really bothered me about this book is that dancing is supposed to be a hugely important part of Allegra's life, but we only get one nice descriptive scene of her actually doing it.  I understand that the plot didn't involve much dancing, but it would have been nice to actually see why Allegra enjoys dancing so much.
Cover: I'm not a big fan of just showing a person on the cover, but the look on Allegra's face shows how detached she is from all the people around her.  It did reflect the contents with the music notes that appear faintly all over the cover.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: When Allegra begins attending a performing arts high school, she plans to focus exclusively on dancing.  She doesn't expect to make loads of new friends because her dad plays in a popular band, and she certainly didn't plan on composing a full orchestral score with her young music theory teacher.

tags: coming of age / performing arts high school / BFYA nominee / ya lit

Four Secrets - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 14
Title: Four Secrets
Author: Margaret Willey
Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
Pub Date: 8/01/12
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: Four Secrets is told from multiple viewpoints, each which contribute uniquely to the overall book.  One is entirely drawings, with raw power that makes them stand out, while another is told lyrically as if it were a knight on a quest.  All the viewpoints build to an intimate understanding of each character, which leaves you guessing as to what their secret might be.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book is memorable for me because of the unique way of telling the story, whose central points were not revealed until the final pages.  Also, having the perspective of a social worker was very interesting to the reader, because it showed she was really on their side, even while the kids refused to reveal their secrets.
Cover: The cover tempted me because of it's simplicity.  As one is reading the book, they realize that ravens are hidden throughout the book and that each one represents an important character.
Age Range: Under 12 through 15
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

tags:  bullying / middle school / suspense / ya lit

Struck - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 13
Title: Struck
Author: Jennifer Bosworth
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Pub Date: 5/01/2012
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The main idea of supernatural lighting strikes in this book hooked me from the beginning.  The otherworldly events felt believable and the character's reactions to them realistic.  I enjoyed learning the back story of many minor characters, which is something  I am always curious to find out in an apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic novel.
Memorable or Forgettable: I just finished the book a few hours ago and cannot recall the main character's name, which is always a bad sign.  I felt detached from her experiences and the romance with Jeremy was not believable.
Cover:  The cover feels very similar to many others I have seen.  It did reflect the contents with ravaged buildings, but I would have liked to have the Tower (a place where pivotal events took place) in the background as well.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

tags:  post-apocalyptic / romance / supernatural / ya lit

Smart Girls Get What They Want - YA Review by Grace KL

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 13
Title: Smart Girls Get What They Want
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
Pub Date: 6/26/12
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book:  I was worried about smart girl stereotypes and lack of character development when I began this book, but the main character was complex and had more characteristics than just always doing her homework.  Gigi's voice as a smart girl felt authentic because she compares life to physics and books she reads for English class without making it feel forced.
Memorable or Forgettable: One memorable quality in this book is that it is directed very plainly towards smart girls which is something you don't see every day.  Also, I consider myself a "smart girl" and like the idea of getting what I want.  Although the characters are well developed, this book lacks solid meat and is more of a humorous brain candy sort of book.
Cover: The cover annoyed me because of the glasses, which are very stereotypical of smart people.  The main character doesn't even have glasses.  But making the title big is definitely a good choice because it is very unique.
Age Range: 12 through 17
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal


tags:  high school / humor / debut teen novel / ya lit

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 13
Title: Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School
Author: Kim Baker
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Pub Date: 09/04/2012
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The main characteristic of this middle-grade novel is humor, especially since the focus of the book is a prank club.  Although written for younger readers, the characters in the book were relatable, and the theme of the book was much more than not getting caught while pulling pranks.  The one thing I did not enjoy was the setting.  The characters seemed to inhabit one of those "happy, everyone lives near each other" towns.  This always annoys me because I can't relate, and the idea that all of these kids, and a zoo are walking distance away has never felt very believable.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was slightly memorable in that the pranks were ones I had never thought of before.  Other than that, the dialogue and descriptions were nothing special.
Cover:  The cover does accurately portray what happens in the story, but does not go much further than that.  What really drew me in were the words "prank club".
Age Range: Under 12 through 13
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 13
Title: The Far West
Author: Patricia C. Wrede
Publisher: Scholastic
Pub Date:  08/01/2012
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The best way to sum up this book is that it's like Little House on the Prairie with magic.  The story takes place in an alternate history in which the United States is colonizing the west, but now the dangers are magical, like medusa lizards, which can turn an animal or human to stone.  The geographical and historical elements are very detailed, so that one can figure out which countries or rivers are being referenced.  The main character, Eff, isn't always the center of attention, isn't the most powerful magician, and is not in a love triangle but is a strong female lead.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was very memorable for me because the entire setting is very original and the magical creatures imaginative.  The way the magic worked in this book was very original, with three main and very different practices of magic.
Cover: The cover was intriguing, but I would have liked it better if it were like the first book, which had the title written in an older font, and several black and white images that alluded to the frontier and magic.  Some things I enjoyed in this cover were the mountains in the background that show the setting and the dragons.  Also, the blue-purple overall color portrays the darker elements in the book.
Age Range: Under 12 to 17
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 13
Title: Eve and Adam
Author: Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pub Date: 10/01/2012
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The idea that is the basis of this book is very intriguing.  Eve, a girl whose mom is the head of a billion dollar genetic corporation, is asked to design the perfect boy using genetic codes, who she 'coincidentally' ends up naming Adam. Although there are other things happening in the book, the plot never goes much further or gets any more interesting.  The characters are very two-dimensional, like Eve's best friend Aislin, whose only qualities seem to be that she flirts a lot and gets her boyfriend out of trouble.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was very forgettable.  Eve only had three defining characteristics: she runs cross country, her dad is dead, and she has never had a boyfriend.  She didn't develop at all through the whole book.  The style of writing did not draw me in, although I could easily picture the setting.  Overall, this book had a lot of potential, but the characters are lacking.
Cover: The title makes you want to know more, just because Eve's name is first, something that you don't see every day.  The puzzle piece apple hints towards the happenings in the book without giving too much away.
Age Range: 12 to 15
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

Reader: Grace KL
Age: 13
Title: Starry River of the Sky
Author: Grace Lin
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub Date: 10/1/2012
Galley: No
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I have always been a sucker for legends and fairy tales, and this book definitely hit the spot.  Rendi’s story, that of a boy searching for the moon that has disappeared from the sky, was effortlessly blended with traditional Chinese legends.  Rendi is a realistic character: when giving someone else advice, he himself decides not to follow it, which is what an average person would do in that situation.  The plot is fresh, and filled with occurrences that are not quite magic, but don’t exactly follow the laws of physics.
Memorable or Forgettable: The most memorable part of this book was the artwork.  It was colorful, gorgeous, and added to, rather than distracted from, the plot.  Although simply written, the tale naturally flows, with stories and legends throughout.
Cover: The cover is beautiful -- colorful and tempting.  It really captures the Chinese setting.  The front shows Rendi searching for the moon and the back shows several other main characters.  The constellations that appear fully formed in the sky hint at the magical happenings inside.
Age Range: Under 12 to 18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Additional Comments: I love how this book is a companion novel to Where The Mountain Meets The Moon.  It isn't exactly a sequel but it's so much fun to find the little ties between the two books.

Reader: Grace KL  
Age: 13
Title: Princess Academy: Palace of Stone
Author: Shannon Hale
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub Date: 8/21/2012
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book:  In the sequel to Princess Academy, Palace of Stone takes Miri's story to Asland, where she stays in the palace.  A revolution is brewing, and Miri sympathizes with both sides.  After accidentally releasing a harmful pamphlet about the princess, who is her friend, Miri has to decide where her loyalties lie.
Memorable or Forgettable: Although the setting is fantasy, Miri's world is very well developed, with geographical details that make you believe this place could exist.  The theme of revolution is constant throughout the book.  Miri's friend Timon shows her the revolutionaries' cause, and her friend the princess's life is in danger because of the revolution. The way Miri responds to her classes such as Diplomacy and Ethics make her a believable and likable character.
Cover: The cover is OK, but one that hints towards the action in the book would be preferable.  Maybe one similar to the original Princess Academy cover (with the silhouette of girls climbing the mountain) such as a big city with a small girl lost in it all.
Age Range: Under 12 to 18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal