Rookie Magazine

a.k.a. my new favorite thing.

I first learned about Rookie Magazine from Stephanie Kuehnert's blog. And I try every weekday to log on and read the selections. There are three selections posted each day, at roughly 3, 7, and 11.

*picture from Rookie Mag welcome letter*

Rookie Magazine, while targeted at teen girls, is fun for any age. I'm 28, and it looks like a lot of the contributors are close to my age. So when they talk about their high school years, it's about the same time I was in high school.

There's fiction, real stories, pictures and photos, playlists, and fantastic art. Definitely check it out and look out for your opportunity to get involved with this online magazine!

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Book Review: Shade

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready sat on my shelf - signed - for over a year. I had met Jeri a few times, and as another signing came up, I decided I had to read something of hers before then. So... I finally picked up Shade.

I realized as I started it, I hadn't even read the synopsis. I knew it was about ghosts and teens who can see them. But the bit about our main character losing her boyfriend, Logan, surprised me. Yeah, clearly I hadn't read the synopsis. But one thing that shows me is how much I value the opinions of my friends that read and book bloggers. I had picked it up, solely based on hearing others say how good it was.

And I have to agree. It was good. Well... amazing probably fits better. I loved it. I didn't want to put it down. The world Jeri's created, a world where the "shift" has made it so that everyone born after it can see ghosts is complex and interesting. Aura was the first born post-shift, so she can ghosts. In the dark, they shine violet. In the sun, their glow hides them. This is the first time I've ever read a book in which ghosts had rules.

I'm very excited to read book two in the series, Shift. But I'm going to wait a bit closer to the release of book three, Shine, so there is less wait. In the meantime, I'll be checking out Jeri Smith-Ready's other series.

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MY ROYAL STORY: ELIZABETH

MY ROYAL STORY: ELIZABETH
By Kathryn Lasky.
240 pages. Scholastic. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up).

ISBN
9781407116211

Rating: 4 Stars


This is one of my favourite books.

It is about a Tudor princess named Elizabeth who is the daughter of Henry VIII, a king of England who had six wives. Elizabeth hates Mary Ward and does not want Prince Edward to die because when Henry VIII dies Edward would become king, and when Edward dies Mary Ward becomes queen and she does not want that to happen. She does many things in her busy years during which her favorite day is May Day. Sadly, Prince Edward once misses it but is cheered up when Elizabeth brings him back a kitten. Another time she has to watch the doctors ooze liquid out of her father's leg and later they end up bleeding her own foot and she thinks if she can watch them do that then she won't be afraid of anything. She also loves banquets but what she likes best is a wink or a pinch on the cheek from her father.

Elizabeth lived in England a very long time ago. The part of her life that takes place in this story when she is a teenager happened in the 1540's. Compare to most teenager's nowadays Elizabeth is quite unusual for she lives in many palaces for a month or two at a time. Elizabeth is a princess so she is also royalty.

My favorite character is Elizabeth.
My favorite part is when Elizabeth disguises herself as a normal girl because it is a bit funny. I definitely give this book four out of five stars. I think ages eight and up should read this book.

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THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES

THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES
Directed by Mark Waters.
96 minutes. Paramount Pictures. (PG)

See at IMDB

Rating: 5 Stars

This is my favourite movie. It is about a boy called Jared, his sister Mallory and his twin brother Simon. When they move into a big old house they find Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide. After that they are whirled into a magical adventure fighting invisible goblins, flying a griffin, nearly being killed by monsters and making a brownie friend. What happens when they are ransacked by goblins and Morgerath?

My favourite character is Jared's older sister Mallory because she is skilled at fencing. My favourite part is when they fight the goblins. Infact this my favourite movie because it surprises you in a scary way like when the goblins suddenly grab out at Jared's twin brother Simon.

I highly recommend this movie because it's suspenseful, because it has mystery, because children are the main characters and because of the adventure. I think this movie deserves five out of five. I think everyone over four should watch this movie. If you don't watch this movie then you are missing out on a lot of fun.

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SPELLHORN

SPELLHORN
By Berlie Doherty
208 pages. Collins. £5.99. (Ages 9 and up).

ISBN
9780007331994

Rating: 5 Stars

I really like this book it's actually one of my favourites.
It's about a young blind girl named laura who when she climbs on to the unicorns back is hurled into a magicle world.
From the moment the moonbats to the unicorn hunters from the sea of snakes to bellyfill. But theres one person she can't trust flight.

My favourite part is when they go through the sea of snakes. I think ages 8, 9, 10 and 11 should read this book because I Just feel like those ages should. I really think this book deserves 5 out of 5.

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THE PRIME MINISTERS BRAIN

THE PRIME MINISTERS BRAIN
By Gillian Cross.
160 pages. Puffin Books. £6.99. (Ages 9 and up).

ISBN
9780140323122

Rating: 5 Stars

I really like this book its actually one of my favourites.
It's about a brand new computer game octopus Dare and it all starts when Dinah beats the octopus. Then she signs up to go to the other contest and has to buy the brand new computer which cost 2000 pounds but when Dinah gets there she wants the others to come with her but finds out they can't. She goes in herself but when she get's there she finds out that the computer director is actually the Demon headmaster. Meanwhile the others are trying to get to her from the garbage bin, The rest I think you should find out yourself.
My favourite part is when they all fight back. I think ages 8, 9, 10 and 11 should read this book because I Just feel like those ages should. I really think this book deserves 5 out of 5.

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INKDEATH

INKDEATH
Inkheart Trilogy 3
By Cornelia Funke.
736 pages. Chicken House. £12.99. (Ages 12 and up)

ISBN
9781905294718

Rating: 5 Stars

This is one of the most brilliant books I have ever read. With Mo being haunted, the Adderhead immortal and Dustfinger dead the story has taken an unhappy turn. Finally Orpheus tries to swap Mo for Dustfinger and ends up giving in them both but Mo makes a dangerous deal with Death that if he gives him and Dustfinger back their lives that he will write those three words Heart, Spell and Death into the White book but if he doesn't before the end of spring him, Dustfinger and Meggie shall die.
My favourite part is when Mo is in the dungeon. My favourite character is Meggie. I think ages 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 should read this book. I give this book five out of five.

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