Do you hate to dance? To start off this week's roundup, site member cupcakekate penned a fantastic review of Penelope Crumb is Mad at the Moon by Shawn K Stout. In this story, reluctant dancer Penelope Crumb is paired with the most unpopular boy in school for a PE square dance. Recipe for disaster!
"It is a really fun read and I think it is mainly aimed towards younger children as it is written in a really understandable form … I think the author has really tried to make the readers see the world in a different way … Dotted through it were lots of comical events that make you laugh. This was what I felt made the book easier to read and understand. It was a really great and fun read."
More dancing features in our next pick, as Purple Koala wrote an excellent review of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This classic tale, set in 1920s America, follows the romance between Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby.
"If this romantic setting and glamorous era hasn't already enticed you into reading this book, hopefully this will … You will be swept away into this life of twists, love and betrayal and finally arrive at the crucial point of this famous novel – how sweet is the American Dream, and is Gatsby truly great?"
Ellathebookworm reviewed another heart-breaking novel centring on a romance, All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. This book follows the romance between Theodore Finch and Violet Markey, who meet at the top of a bell tower when they are both contemplating suicide.
"I really enjoyed the dual perspective in this book, and the different voices of Violet and Finch. Finch's was irresistibly humorous, but also dark and haunting, a perfect contrast with Violet's intelligent, destructed voice … Both characters immediately trapped me and were undeniably loveable. They were each sensitive and dealt with the teenage mind wonderfully, grappling each issue and delicate topic with ease."
Continuing the theme of young love, PankhuriD wrote a spectacular review of Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. Eleanor and Park are two shy teenagers who meet on a school bus and slowly grow in confidence as they begin to fall in love.
"What I find so amazing about this book is that it has a very realistic story that can happen in any teenagers' life. At first, it seems like a predictable love story between two teenagers, however, later on we realize that the couple fell in love because they really needed each other. What also sets this book apart is that it is not a cliché love story … I rate this book 5 stars out of 5 stars for its touching story, conversational language and compelling characters."
Elsewhere, an ordinary teenager turned superhero features in our next book: an outstanding review by imaginaryunicorn of I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak. When 19-year-old Ed Kennedy inadvertently stops a bank robbery, he is sent a variety of assignments to complete by an unknown source.
"The characters are instantly likeable, and Ed's honesty and smart Alec nature makes him the person you root for throughout the whole book; I genuinely wish I knew Ed, simply because how great and funny a guy he is. Zusak has a unique, remarkable talent for being able to make me laugh and cry all within the space of a few pages. It's difficult to describe, but the book reads with a sort of rhythm and pace and is yet another example of Zusak's incomparable skill."
Finally, we end this week's roundup with a terrific review by Flora's Book Group of Out of the Depths by Cathy Macphail. Tyler Lawless has a gift which enables him to see the unlawfully dead and he soon gets sucked into uncovering the mystery of a murdered boy who was killed in her new school.
"Out of the Depths will completely thrill and chill you. After every chapter you will be held in deep suspense, dying to know what will happen next … Out of the Depths is the perfect book for reading for pleasure. The only weakness in this fantastic novel is the end … Cathy MacPhail is an amazing author. She painted vivid pictures in my mind and I felt like I was Tyler, watching everything that was happening like I was watching television."
That's all for our roundup this week! If your review has been mentioned, please email the Book Elves and we will send you a bookish prize in the post!
Happy reading!
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