Enchanting Review: Front Page Face-Off

FRONT PAGE FACE-OFF
JO WHITTEMORE
Contemporary Middle Grade
Aladdin
ISBN# 978-1416991694
240 pages
$5.99
Paperback—Available March 9, 2010

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Thirteen-year-old Delilah James is one of the top reporters at Brighton Junior Academy. Her goal is to become a Junior Global Journalist. Everything seems to be working in her favor until Ava, a French exchange student and rival, comes and steals not only her spot as top reporter but her crush as well. Delilah finds an ally in the most unlikely place. Paige just happens to be part of the elusive Debutantes, alias “Little Debbies”. Paige promises to give Delilah the inside dirt in exchange for some info on the rival group. Will Delilah be able to do this and still win the boy?

This is a fun, hilarious tale that is sure to keep you laughing. Delilah’s attempts to win back her spot as lead editor are humorous. Delilah is very likable and fun. Her relationship with her stepfather is funny too. I found myself smiling over Delilah’s attics which are downright hilarious. One especially funny scene happens when she’s at the country club trying to get an interview with the Swirlie Bandit. What happens when she tries to get the attention of her crush and still get her interview are downright hilarious.

What I really liked about this story was that the so-called nasty girl really wasn’t that bad after all. Whittemore does a great job multi layering her characters with fun quirks and personalities without them being the usual cardboard stereotypes. Delilah’s friend Jenner is great too as a surfer with a mega sweet tooth. You can’t help but cheer for Delilah and what happens. A great heroine for all!

Jo Whittemore has written THE SILVERSKIN LEGACY, a young-adult fantasy trilogy. This is her first middle-grade novel. She currently lives in Texas. For more on Whittemore’s books check out her website: http://www.jowhittemore.com/


Kim Baccellia
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
February 2010

Enchanting Review: The Siren Song

THE SIREN SONG
ANNE URSU
MG fantasy
Aladdin
ISBN# 978-4169-0590-5
435 pages
$6.99
Paperback-Available now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Life hasn’t gone back to normal for both Charlotte Mielswetzki and her cousin Zee. Both are heroes who’ve battled against the Greek Gods and won. But who could they tell? No one would believe them.

Now Zee’s acting strange and Charlotte’s parents want her to go with them on an educational cruise. Just when things couldn’t get any stranger, Philonecron, an angry demigod reappears. One thing you don’t do is get the Gods angry as they don’t forget. Philonecron wants revenge but this time he’ll strike not just the world but those closest to Charlotte. Can she find the strength to win this time around?

This is the sequel to The Shadow Thieves. I loved the first book and couldn’t wait to read the sequel. This Lemony Snicket meets The Lightning Thief tale takes place right after Charlotte and Zee help save the world. At times the back story weighed this story down. Also the parents come across at times as one dimensional. But once Charlotte is on the cruise, the story picks up. The egotistical Poseidon and his cruise ship with an assortment of Greek Gods and demigods bring life to this tale. I love the antics of these Gods and know I wouldn’t be brave enough to face up to them. I especially liked the spunk of thirteen-year-old Charlotte. She faces down a Greek God which is no small feat. Fans of other Greek fantasies will also enjoy this tale with one spunky heroine.

This is the second book in the Cronus Chronicles Trilogy. Anne Ursu has also written for Glamour magazine and ESPN.com. She lives with her husband, son, and their cats in Cleveland, Ohio. Check out more on the Cronus Chronicles at cronuschronicles.com

Kim Rapier
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
July 2009