sign in| help
Search advanced search
 
Books
Search:

Follows you (block)

Requested to follow you (accept | block)

Blocked (unblock)

beverlyjean

beverlyjean

has 36 followers and is following 37 people

I'm a former teacher, and now I write stories for children and young adults. My young adult novels, Listen to the Ghost, Secrets I Have Kept, Rebel in Blue Jeans, and Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines are available at Amazon and the publisher, Twilight Times Books. (Caves is in print or Kiindle and Nook.) Just Breeze, my novel for tween/teens, is ... more »
  • TX, USA
  • member since August 3, 2007

Reviews

  • Sort by:
 
1 2 3 4  | Next »
Displaying 1-10 of 34 reviews
  • Fireseed One

    Fireseed One

    by Catherine Stine
    • Rated 5 stars

    “FIRESEED ONE
    By Catherine Stine
    Illustrated by Catherine Stine


    Sometimes the people we know are not who we think they are, even if they’re our parents. Sometimes our worst enemy turns out to be the person we care about the most. Life changes, and we often find ourselves having to make tough decisions. In Author Catherine Stine’s young adult novel, Fireseed One, eighteen-year-old Varik faces challenges he never dreamed of when he inherits a sea farm after his father’s death. Since his mother was murdered years earlier, Varik is now left alone to carry on the important business of growing food for people in many of the sectors of Ocean Dominion that depend on the produce from Varik’s farm.

    Problems plague him from the start, and he soon finds himself on a mission with Marissa, a thief, to discover the whereabouts of his father’s pet project, Fireseed One, that could save the world from starvation. As the two teens search not only for the plants but for answers to questions about their families, their relationship changes from hostile and distrustful to the beginnings of love. A gentle love story between two former enemies is just the right touch for Catherine Stine‘s futuristic adventure. The author has developed a world with familiar places, like Kansas, Vegas, Black Hills, that now are so hot people must wear special suits to survive, and also new places under the sea where most of the world’s food is grown. It makes me wonder if someday our major food sources might come from the sea. An interesting thought.

    The author’s illustrations complement the writing, giving the reader a glimpse into Varik’s and Marissa’s lives. I especially like the little fellow on page 245. What is it? You’ll have to read the book to see. The characters have faults like real people, which makes them more human. You’ll want to help them each time they face danger and decisions, at least I did. I recommend Fireseed One for science fiction lovers, adventure lovers, and readers who enjoy young romance. The book would be a great addition to middle school and high school libraries, too. The novel ends with another dilemma for Varik to solve that, in my opinion, is very creative. I just hope book two comes out soon.

    ###
    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Mercy Lily
    • Rated 5 stars

    “When someone we love has a terminal illness, we hate to see them in pain. Yet we don’t want to lose them either, so we’ll try most anything to help them survive and to even be cured. But what if the person is tired and wants to end the days and nights of suffering? Whose wishes do we honor? Ours? Or theirs?

    Author Lisa Albert’s debut young adult novel, Mercy Lily, is a gentle story about a girl named Lily and her mother, Sophia, who has multiple sclerosis. Traditional treatment hasn’t helped Sophia, so to ease her pain, she tries bee sting therapy. Since Lily was an eighth grader, she has treated her mother, a veterarian who taught Lily to be her helper. Now Lily is a sophomore in high school and her mother’s condition is getting worse. Lily watched her father lose his battle with cancer and cannot bear the thought of losing her mother as well. The author describes the treatment in detail which I found interesting since I knew nothing about it. But then Sophia asks the unthinkable of Lily. For one so young, she has tough decisions to make, not only about her mother’s wish for mercy, but also about her feelings for Trent (possible boyfriend) and her relationship with her friends that has grown distant. Life has changed for all of them.

    Mercy Lily is a story of love and family, courage and fear, hope and heartbreak, and also of acceptance. I’m not sure how I feel about the choice Sophia makes, but the author handles the situation with sensitivity. I wanted to hug Lily and tell her all would be okay, but I knew it wouldn’t. From now on, when I see a Lily flower, I’ll remember the story of Lily, a brave young woman who faced what life handed her with a strength that even she did not realize she had. Lisa Albert’s novel would make a great addition for school libraries and classrooms where students might be experiencing a situation similar to Lily’s. And of course you’ll want a copy for your own library.

    ###
    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, April 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Griffin's Fire
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Ah, the teen years. They’re difficult enough for a “human” teen. But what if you’re a Tiro, an angel in training as a Terrae-Angelus whose job is to save people’s lives, and through no fault of your own you’re stripped of your super powers of fire and earth. Are you then a human? Are you an angel? Or are you both?

    In Griffin’s Fire (Book Two: Fire), by award winning author Darby Karchut, sixteen-year-old Griffin Raine faces these questions. Deep inside, Griffin feels that he’s supposed to be a Terrae Angelus, but his life is in turmoil. He stays in trouble at home and at school. His mentor, Basil, is frustrated with Griffin’s behavior. Even his relationship with his girlfriend, Katie, is falling apart. Then something really weird happens to Griffin, something he cannot tell Basil or share with Katie, as much as he wants to.

    As if keeping a secret that Griffin wants to shout out to the world isn’t difficult enough, Basil becomes mentor to Sergei, a new Tiro. Sergei and Griffin clash from the start, which makes life in the Raine household uncomfortable for all. Griffin’s Fire is full of action, teen angst, romance, and delightful characters. Griffin is far from perfect as a boy or as an angel. He doubts himself. He wonders which world he belongs in. Katie is loyal and encouraging, the kind of girlfriend a boy needs. Their romance is sweet and just right, even with the rocky moments. As for Sergei, well, I’ll let you decide about him. Each minor character, even though in the story only for a short time, is well developed and adds to the plot. Ms. Karchut’s characters are so real you’ll either love them or hope they get what they deserve.

    Griffin’s Fire would make a great addition to school classrooms and libraries. I’m going to talk to local librarians about adding the books to their libraries. The author’s note at the end of the book gives additional information about angels. You also get a sneak peek at the third book in the series: Griffin’s Storm (Book Three: Water). I loved Griffin Rising and Griffin’s Fire and anxiously await the next one. I just wish Book Three wasn’t a year away.
    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, April 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • PFC Liberty Stryker

    PFC Liberty Stryker

    by Peggy Tibbetts
    • Rated 5 stars

    “According to history, William Tecumseh Sherman stated “War is hell” during the American Civil War. Years have passed since then with many wars in our world. In the newspapers and on TV we hear about the men and women who fight, and die in these battles. But do we really understand what they experience in foreign lands, away from family and home. Do we know the horrors they witness every day? I’ve always thought it’s sad that people cannot get along with one another, but never considered the gruesome reality of day to day life for our soldiers. Until I read Peggy Tibbetts’ novel PFC LIBERTY STRYKER, that is. Boy did the author open my eyes to the truth. I have to agree with Mr. Sherman.

    After Libby Stryker’s father, who was career army, is killed at the Pentagon on 9/11, Libby joins the army and before long is in the desert of Iraq, seeing a side of war that only one who’s been there can believe. Death is everywhere and not just the soldiers but innocent men, women, and children as well. The author describes the scenes in such depth that the reader can almost hear the cries of pain, smell the stench of blood and bodies, and feel the terror in the air. Don’t be surprised if you cry a little. I did. I will warn you, also, that the language is raw and rough and not for the squeamish. Libby has a lot to learn about her fellow soldiers, and she soon discovers that sometimes those we trust the most are not what or who we believe them to be. The story is full of unexpected twists that show just how complicated war and people really are.

    Author Peggy Tibbetts did her research. Her acknowledgment at the front of the book credits the many people who helped her get the details of PFC LIBERTY STRYKER just right. After reading this book, I think you’ll appreciate even more the sacrifices of our brave soldiers, to keep America, you and me, safe.

    ###
    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, April 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Until Next Time
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Do you have a guardian angel watching over you? You’re not sure? Think about little incidents that happen that keep you safe. Perhaps you run out of gas on your way to an important meeting or to school and you’re really upset, until you discover that if you’d been on the highway you’d have been involved in a horrendous accident. Or perhaps your boyfriend dumped you and your heart was broken then you met the hottest boy in the universe and he liked you. Could your guardian angel be responsible?

    Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles Book 1, by Amy Lignoe, introduces us to Emily and Matt, the neatest pair of angels you’ll ever meet. They’re seventeen human years old and they’re soulmates. Their job is to go down to Earth where their souls are placed into human shells and make the world a better place. Told from different points of view to give us insight into the major characters feelings, we follow the angels as they strive to do their job. Sometimes things don’t work out easily, but Emily and Matt, in their earthly bodies never give up. Romance and danger, along with a cast of characters, both good and evil, make for an exciting read.

    Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles Book 1 is the first in a series. I look forward to see who Emily and Matt will be in the next book. This is a good story for fantasy lovers, especially if you like angels, which I do.

    ###”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Wednesday, March 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Walking Through Walls
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Have you ever wanted something so much that you’d do almost anything to get it, even go against your father’s wishes? What if your goal turned out to be much harder to attain than you expected? Would you give up, or would you keep trying, no matter the cost?

    Author Karen Cioffi’s fantasy chapter book, Walking Through Walls, taken from an ancient Chinese tale, is a story of magic, dragons, and legends. Twelve-year-old Wang wants to be an Eternal and have money and power. So one day, ignoring his father’s pleas to stay home and help in the fields, Wang sets off to find the Eternals where he hopes to become one of them. Little does he know how rough the road ahead will be. Not noted for his patience, Wang soon discovers that to become an Eternal he will need to have more patience than he can imagine, as well as have the right heart. Walking Through Walls is a story about learning what’s important in life and the path to our dreams is not always what it seems.

    The author includes questions and activities, along with a little background on The Ming Dynasty, family life, and other information about the time period. Walking Through Walls would make a great addition to school classrooms, especially history classes, and libraries. I think children would enjoy following Wang on his journey to finding not only the Eternals, but himself, as well.

    ###
    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Monday, March 26, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • Replication
    • Rated 5 stars

    “REPLICATION (Review)
    By Jill Williamson


    What if you knew that your “expiration” date was only twenty-five days away? What if you wanted to do one thing before the end? Would you be willing to disobey and take the chance to fulfill your wish, before you expired?

    Replication: The Jason Experiment, Author Jill Williamson’s recent novel for young adults, introduces the reader to Martyr, whose purpose in life is to expire at age eighteen. Martyr is a clone, a Jason, created as a sacrifice for those who live outside. He earned his name because he takes care of Baby and other “broken” clones where something went wrong when they were made. Martyr has never seen real trees or grass or the sky. And that is his wish: to see the blue sky. When the doctors at Jason Farms, where the clones live in their underground home no one knows exists, refuse to let Martyr see the sky, he swipes a Keycard and escapes. Martyr, now out in the world, meets Abby Goyer, whose father is a new doctor at the farms. As if Abby doesn’t have enough troubles with JD, the jock at school who chases after her, she now has to deal with a boy whose resemblance to JD is so amazing that she thought Marty (her name for him) was JD, at first. When Marty reveals the truth about his life, he and Abby set out to free the other boys and put a stop to the horror the boys face each day of their short lives.

    I loved this story. Marty is the sweetest and most innocent character I’ve ever met, like a child, discovering the beauty of the new (to him) world. And Abby, even with her own troubles, still helps him and the other Jasons. Abby’s strong belief in God leads Marty to question what The Creator‘s purpose is for him. Told in alternating points of view between Martyr and Abby, the reader gets a glimpse of each character’s thoughts. Replication: The Jason Experiment, is a touching story of love, understanding, and forgiveness, and also the evil that makes some men do what they do. This story will leave you wanting more, at least it did me. I don’t know if there is a sequel, but meeting these characters again would be great.

    Paperback courtesy of the Z street team and Zondervan.

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Wednesday, March 14, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The 58th Keeper
    • Rated 4 stars

    “
    Take three teens, a magic rug, and an archaeological dig in Turkey. Mix in time travel along with bad guys hunting for the magic rug or shroud, and you have R. G. Bullet’s The 58th Keeper, an adventure story that will take young readers along on a bumpy road, never knowing quite what will happen next.

    Archy Bass, foster kid, is a student at the boarding school Rushburys, twenty miles outside of London. When Archy’s friend, Vincent, invites Archy to go to Turkey on an archaeological dig with him and his family, Archy’s foster mother, Winnie, agrees. The boys and Vincent’s sister, Georgia, discover a lot more on their trip than ancient relics, however. The rug that Archy buys is more than he imagined, and the teens’ adventure turns from fun into a life and death struggle. Author R. G. Bullet has crafted a suspense story that will have young readers, and old alike, wondering if Archy and friends will survive their holiday. So what does this have to do with the 58th keeper? Well, when you read the story you’ll find the answer.

    The author does a nice job with his characters, showing their different personalities. Their adventures keep the reader guessing. I liked the secret of … umm, I don’t want to give anything away. For a fun fantasy story with a little danger along the way, this is a good read. Enjoy. Pick up an extra copy for your child’s classroom library.

    I won this book in a contest.
    EBook courtesy of the author and SilverHouse Books

    ###
    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Thursday, March 8, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Clockwork Giant (Chroniker City)
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Are you fascinated with machinery? Do gears intrigue you? Or are you like me, and your eyes glaze over when anyone talks about mechanics because you don’t understand how they work?

    Whichever category describes you, you’ll learn a lot about machinery from Author Brooke Johnson’s debut novel The Clockwork Giant. Ms. Johnson explains in simple language that even I can understand the details of the project that our heroine, Petra Wade, and the university student and boy she comes to like, Emmerich Goss, are building. We travel back in time to 1860s England, a time when girls had few rights and Petra’s dream of being an engineer was just that - only a dream. She’s an orphan and lives in the slums. She sweeps the pawn shop, until one day, she meets Emmerich, and her life changes forever. They team up to build an automaton that might possibly save the world, or else destroy it. If she is discovered working with him, Emmerich will be marked for treason and Petra for death. The Clockwork Giant is a story of mystery, determination, and love between a boy and girl from different backgrounds. Will they succeed in making the world a better place in which to live, or will The Guild stop them?

    It took me awhile to get into the story, but once I did, I couldn’t stop reading. The Clockwork Giant introduced me to a period in history that I wasn’t familiar with. The ending left me wanting to know more. The good news is that Petra and Emmerich‘s story will continue. The next book in The Chroniker City Series will be out in the winter of 2012. I’m looking forward to learning what happens next. Can our heroine overcome the obstacles that await her and Emmerich? Ms. Johnson’s book would make a good addition to high school libraries where students could experience a time in history quite different from the one they live in.

    EBook courtesy of the author

    ###

    ”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Tuesday, February 14, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
  • The Book of Lost Fragrances
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Do you enjoy a bit of history and a touch of mystery? Or do Buddas and the Dalai Lama fascinate you? Is mythology and reincarnation more to your taste? Or do Cleopatra and perfume intrigue you? Oh, and there’s also the ghost. What if you could find all of these in one story? Well, you can.

    The Book of Lost Fragrances, a novel by author M. J. Rose, takes the reader from Egypt to New York, from China to France, and from the past to the present with a cast of characters you won’t soon forget. There are way too many to mention them all here, so I won’t even try. At first I wondered how the different people would fit together. The Book of Lost Fragrances is the story of Jac L’Etoile and her brother, Robbie, who is searching for the Fragrance of Memory. Then Robbie goes missing and it seems others are interested in pottery fragments that could be proof of reincarnation. The story gets even more complicated as Jac and her former lover, Griffin, attempt to find Robbie.

    In alternating chapters we meet the other characters, sometimes traveling centuries back, as the author ties each of them into Jac and Robbie’s story. At times, the switch from one time and setting to another interrupted the story that I was following. It was necessary, I guess, to bring in the background for Jac and Robbie’s story. I enjoyed the read and recommend Ms. Rose’s latest for lovers of adventure, history, and even romance.

    EBook courtesy of Simon & Schuster, Atria Books and NetGalley

    ###”

    beverlyjean wrote this review Saturday, January 28, 2012. ( reply | permalink )
1 2 3 4  | Next »
Displaying 1-10 of 34 reviews

© 2006-2012 Shelfari | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy

Close