Nilay's Wish by Riya Aarini

Astoryfilledwithadventure,heartandcourage,Nilay'sWishtakesreadersthroughthelivelyandcolorfultimesofhistoricIndia.WhenyoungNilaygetstomakeawish,heneverexpectstotravelto300CEIndia.Nilayisinforcountlesssurprises,asJaifulfillswisheslikenonewbiegenieeverhas!TheyouthfulfriendsfollowthetrailofIndia'ssilkweavers,learninggemsaboutIndianhistoryandgrowingaseleven-year-oldsandnovicegeniesonlydo.JoinNilayandJaiontheirboisterousadventuresfromcontemporaryCanadatoanexoticlandinthisengagingworkofhistoricalfiction.PickupNilay'sWishandstartthefantasticaljourney!

Summary

A story filled with adventure, heart and courage, Nilay's Wish takes readers through the lively and colorful times of historic India. When young Nilay gets to make a wish, he never expects to travel to 300 CE India. Nilay is in for countless surprises, as Jai fulfills wishes like no newbie genie ever has!  The youthful friends follow the trail of India's silk weavers, learning gems about Indian history and growing as eleven-year-olds and novice genies only do.  Join Nilay and Jai on their boisterous adventures from contemporary Canada to an exotic land in this engaging work of historical fiction.  Pick up Nilay's Wish and start the fantastical journey!
PickupNilay'sWishandstartthefantasticaljourney!JoinNilayandJaiontheirboisterousadventuresfromcontemporaryCanadatoanexoticlandinthisengagingworkofhistoricalfiction.PickupNilay'sWishandstartthefantasticaljourney!JoinNilayandJaiontheirboisterousadventuresfromcontemporaryCanadatoanexoticlandinthisengagingworkofhistoricalfiction.PickupNilay'sWishandstartthefantasticaljourney!JoinNilayandJaiontheirboisterousadventuresfromcontemporaryCanadatoanexoticlandinthisengagingworkofhistoricalfiction.PickupNilay'sWishandstartthefantasticaljourney!
My Thoughts

I so wish I had this book a few years ago!  Back when I taught second grade, I would read chapter books to my class every day.  Nilay's Wish is definitely one that they would have enjoyed!

The adventure, time travel, magical elements... my class would have loved this book!  I know that I certainly enjoyed it.  I am going to keep it around in case I ever teach second grade again.  I highly recommend this book for anyone who is middle grade or who enjoys reading middle grade books!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Countdown by Deborah Wiles

Summary

Franny Chapman just wants some peace. But that's hard to get when her best friend is feuding with her, her sister has disappeared, and her uncle is fighting an old war in his head. Her saintly younger brother is no help, and the cute boy across the street only complicates things. Worst of all, everyone is walking around just waiting for a bomb to fall. 

It's 1962, and it seems that the whole country is living in fear. When President Kennedy goes on television to say that Russia is sending nuclear missiles to Cuba, it only gets worse. Franny doesn't know how to deal with what's going on in the world -- no more than she knows how to deal with what's going on with her family and friends. But somehow she's got to make it through. 

Featuring a captivating story interspersed with footage from 1962, award-winning author Deborah Wiles has created a documentary novel that will put you right alongside Franny as she navigates a dangerous time in both her history and our history.


My Thoughts

My Daughter bought this book for me for Christmas.  I had noticed it at the used book store a few visits before and considered buying it but just never did.  She surprised me with it and I wanted to pick it up immediately!  I already had books to read so I had to wait until February.

Now here we are, a few weeks after I finished it, and I can say that it was a really good book!  I had somehow missed that it was middle grade but was pleasantly surprised when I realized.

I highly enjoyed the bits of real history and clips from newspapers and ads and things.  It added so much to the book!

I really am so glad that I read this book!  Such a great mix of real history and wonderful fiction.  Great read!

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio

Shanehasbeendoingcollegeallwrong.Pre-med,stellargrades,andhappyparents…soundsideal—butShane'smadezerofriends,goeshomeeveryweekend,andromance…what’sthat?

Herlifehasbeendorm,dininghall,class,repeat.Time'saticking,andsheneedsachange—there'snothinglikemovingtoanewcountrytoreallymixthingsup.ShanesignsupforasemesterabroadinLondon.She'sgoingtorightallhercollegemistakes:makefriends,pursueboys,andfindadventure!

Easiersaidthandone.Sheissoonfacedwiththecomplicatedrealitiesoflivingoutsideherbubble,andwhenself-doubtsneaksin,hernewlifestartstofallapart.

Shanecomestofindthat,withtherightamountofcourageanddeterminationonecanconqueranything.Throwinsomefateandatouchofmagic—thepossibilitiesareendless.Shanehasbeendoingcollegeallwrong.Pre-med,stellargrades,andhappyparents…soundsideal—butShane'smadezerofriends,goeshomeeveryweekend,andromance…what’sthat?

Herlifehasbeendorm,dininghall,class,repeat.Time'saticking,andsheneedsachange—there'snothinglikemovingtoanewcountrytoreallymixthingsup.ShanesignsupforasemesterabroadinLondon.She'sgoingtorightallhercollegemistakes:makefriends,pursueboys,andfindadventure!

Easiersaidthandone.Sheissoonfacedwiththecomplicatedrealitiesoflivingoutsideherbubble,andwhenself-doubtsneaksin,hernewlifestartstofallapart.

Shanecomestofindthat,withtherightamountofcourageanddeterminationonecanconqueranything.Throwinsomefateandatouchofmagic—thepossibilitiesareendless.Shanehasbeendoingcollegeallwrong.Pre-med,stellargrades,andhappyparents…soundsideal—butShane'smadezerofriends,goeshomeeveryweekend,andromance…what’sthat?

Herlifehasbeendorm,dininghall,class,repeat.Time'saticking,andsheneedsachange—there'snothinglikemovingtoanewcountrytoreallymixthingsup.ShanesignsupforasemesterabroadinLondon.She'sgoingtorightallhercollegemistakes:makefriends,pursueboys,andfindadventure!

Easiersaidthandone.Sheissoonfacedwiththecomplicatedrealitiesoflivingoutsideherbubble,andwhenself-doubtsneaksin,hernewlifestartstofallapart.

Shanecomestofindthat,withtherightamountofcourageanddeterminationonecanconqueranything.Throwinsomefateandatouchofmagic—thepossibilitiesareendless.

Summary

Shane has been doing college all wrong. Pre-med, stellar grades, and happy parents…sounds ideal—but Shane's made zero friends, goes home every weekend, and romance…what’s that?

Her life has been dorm, dining hall, class, repeat. Time's a ticking, and she needs a change—there's nothing like moving to a new country to really mix things up. Shane signs up for a semester abroad in London. She's going to right all her college mistakes: make friends, pursue boys, and find adventure!

Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.Easier said than done. She is soon faced with the complicated realities of living outside her bubble, and when self-doubt sneaks in, her new life starts to fall apart.

Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.Shane comes to find that, with the right amount of courage and determination one can conquer anything. Throw in some fate and a touch of magic—the possibilities are endless.


My Thoughts

I can't believe it took me so long to read this book!  I've had it on my bookshelf for forever.  Well, thanks to my tbr jar, I finally picked it up.  And, let me tell you, Again, but Better was full of surprises.

I honestly didn't know there was going to be a magical element.  I'm not sure how I missed that little tidbit but I did.  So, that was a complete surprise to me.  I was pleasantly surprised, though!

I've read a few reviews that express their dislike for the 'excessive 2011 references' but I really didn't mind them.  This is a YA book.  I expect it to be a little "extra" at times.

Overall, I did enjoy this book.  It was a cute, fun read.  I'm glad I finally got to it!

Past This Point by Nicole Mabry

Summary

Karis Hylen has been through the New York City dating wringer. After years of failed relationships, she abandons her social life and whittles her days down to work and spending time with her dog, Zeke. Her self-imposed exile ends up saving her life when an untreatable virus sweeps the east coast, killing millions.

Alone in her apartment building, Karis survives with only Zeke, phone calls to her mom, and conversations with two young girls living across the courtyard. With the city in a state of martial law, violence and the smell of rotting corpses surround her every day. But her biggest enemy is her own mind. As cabin fever sets in, vivid hallucinations make her question her sanity.

In addition to her dwindling food and water stash, Karis must now struggle to keep her mind in check. When a mysterious man enters the scene, she hopes she can convince him to help her make it to the quarantine border. With the world crumbling around her, Karis discovers her inner strength but may find that she needs people after all.

My Thoughts

This book is so good!  It surprised me with how good it was!  No zombies, no monsters, no magic.  Just a 'real-life' look at post-apocalyptic living.

I was immediately pulled right into the story and never wanted to have to put it down.  Karis is such a great character!  She is smart and resourceful, kind and brave.
The girls across the street... they had my heart!
And Zeke, I am such a dog lover so I completely felt the struggle that Karis had when she was told she would have to leave Zeke behind in order to get on the plane!  I wouldn't be able to do it either!

Overall, this is an excellent read and I highly recommend it!

*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.