Cimorene is not your ordinary princess. She is a rebel by princess standards. Instead of being happy with her etiquette and embroidery courses, she wants to learn fencing, Latin, and magic. When Cimorene's parents discourage her from taking these lessons, their best argument is that, 'It's simply not done.' Cimorene finds herself extremely restless, and bored, after her parents end lesson after lesson. Finally, Cimorene meets an enchanted frog that claims to be able to help her. He directs her to a cave which turns out to be filled with dragons. Just before she is eaten, Cimorene asks to be one of the dragon's princess. The kind dragon, Kazul, takes Cimorene in. In exchange for cooking, cleaning, and doing other bits of housework, or perhaps cave work, Cimorene gets the opportunity to practice Latin, learn magic, and interact with all sorts of new, interesting creatures. Cimorene couldn't be happier, until the Society of Wizards begins to create trouble for the dragons. Cimorene, and several friends, are swept into a grand adventure to protect the dragon kingdom, but will they find themselves in over their heads in magic, and monsters?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 015204566X

ISBN-13: 9780152045661

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Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

Twins Grace and Connor are separated from each other in a storm that destroys their father's boat. They try to find each other and Connor must save Grace from her terrible fate aboard the vampirate ship. Despite it's title, this book is very enjoyable for older kids, especially if you love pirates and the Pirates of the Caribbean. This is the first in the Vampirates series. Look for Tide of Terror, Blood Captain, and Black Heart.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/20/2009

ISBN-10: 0316013730

ISBN-13: 9780316013734

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Hunky Dory is about to graduate from the Harbinger's Charm School of Witchcraft. During the last week of school, their teacher, Miss Fortune, asks her students their plans once they leave school, knowing that not everyone can afford an advanced degree from Hogwarts. Hunky's Auntie Malice comes for a visit, and ends up placing a curse upon the princess. The curse is that she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel, and die. Hunky decides to modify the curse- instead of dying, the princess will only go to sleep until she is awoken by the kiss of her true love. A strange thing happens to Hunky when she recites the incantation. Because of this, she now knows her true vocation is to be a Fairy Godmother, and grant wishes. She will leave Harbinger's Witch School and go to Fairy Godmother school. Just one problem, how will she talk her mother into this? Will it still be worth it to her when her Aunt and friends feel she's betrayed them? To find out if things are hunky dory, read Diary of a Fairy Godmother.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0786809663

ISBN-13: 9780786809660

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Some china dolls that are over 100 years old now have to live with a new family of plastic dolls. They search to find their aunt who has disappeared. Also read The Meanest Doll in the World and The Runaway Dolls.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/20/2009

ISBN-10: 0786803614

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Eleven-year-old twins Jason and Julia have just moved from London to an old mansion on the English coast. Their new home is filled with twisting tunnels and strange artifacts from around the world, and the twins can't wait to discover all its secrets. Before long, Jason, Julia, and their friend Rick stumble upon a mysterious-looking door hidden behind an old wardrobe. But none of the keys in the house will open it. What lies behind the door? And why has someone tried to conceal it? Jason, Julia, and Rick are determined to find out, no matter what it takes.... Followed by The Long Lost Map and The House of Mirrors

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 7/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0439774381

ISBN-13: 9780439774383

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