The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling (audio)

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood. Listening Library, 2010. (Narrated by Katherine Kellgren)

Audience: Grades 5 and up

My Rating: 5* of 5

Summary: Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary trio of children. Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position, but finds that mysteries abound at Ashton Place.
Comments: "All books are judged by their cover until they are read," according to Agatha Swanburne, headmistress of Penelope Lumley's former boarding school. This, along with many more pithy sayings by Swanburne, are the heart of what makes The Mysterious Howling a delightfully charming read (perfectly voiced by Kellgren). Part Lemony Snicket and part Mary Poppins, Wood has created a darling backdrop (though not saccharine) for her vivid characters to play out their often surprising parts. As this first installment in the series winds down, the mystery is just beginning to surface, making the wait for another trip to Ashton Place seem like an eternity. But as Agatha Swanburne says, "One can board one's train only after it arrives at the station; until then, enjoy your newspaper."

Awards:

Read-alikes: Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Mirror Mirror

What a delightful concept! Mirror Mirror is a collection of poetry that centers around fairy tales. What sets this book apart is that every single poem is written in reversible verse meaning that you read it one way, then you flip it and begin at the end of the poem and read it in reverse. Usually the reverse implies a new meaning or makes you think of something in a way you hadn't before. With a few changes in punctuation a whole new poem is born. Take for example The Douubtful Duckling: "Someday I'll turn into a swan. No way I'll stay an ugly duckling, stubby and gray, Plain to see--look at me. A beauty I'll be." Now the reverse: "A beauty I'll be? Look at me--plain to see, stubby and gray. An ugly duckling I'll stay. No way I'll turn into a swan someday." Josee Masse's illustrations also reflect this duality with his colorful bold creations cleverly mirroring the text. Marilyn Singer has started a poetry revolution with the excellent collection surely enticing readers to imitate the style.

Monster High by Lisi Harrison (ARC)

Monster High by Lisi Harrison. Poppy, 2010.

**NEXT BIG THING ALERT!** This is gonna be a huge tween hit! It is way voltage!

Audience: Ages 12+ (though younger are going to want to read it bc of the dolls)

My Rating: 4* of 5

Summary: Created just fifteen days ago, Frankie Stein is psyched to trade her father's formaldehyde-smelling basement lab for parties and prom. But with a student body totally freaked out by rumors of monsters stalking the halls, Frankie learns that high school can be rough for a chic freak like her. She thinks she finds a friend in fellow new student Melody Carver-but can a "normie" be trusted with her big secret?

Comments: Leave it to Lisi to make a Clique + Twi-tween mash-up of monstrous proportions! The beauty is that MH offers infinitely more concept, fun, and substance than the girls of OCD ever could. Frankie is exceedingly likable and her "normie" foil, Melody is likewise. "Coming out of the casket" references abound, but rather than elicit zombie groans they crackle with Frankie's enthusiasm toward her cause of monster acceptance. An appealing and quality read that backed by some evil genius marketing (uh-dorable dolls by Mattel, Monsterhigh.com video shorts and games, and stinking cute Halloween costumes rtg) is going to explode by October!
Awards:

Read-alikes: Clique, Alphas