The False Prince

The False Prince: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Summary: In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together. (From Goodreads)

Pro's: This book was brilliantly written. Even though it is written in first person and you feel like you know the main character very well, then ending is a big surprise! The storyline is original and fast moving. Though I didn't feel like the book had a strong overall point there were a few minor lessons I greatly appriciated.

Con's: Even though I only read this book last week I have forgotten some details. I do not specifically remember any language or inappropriate passages but I think there were one or two minor ones.

I was not aware until just a few minutes ago that this was the first book in a trilogy. I look forward to reading the others! (Assuming my library has them.)

Recommended for ages 13 and up.

The Lions of Little Rock

Summary:
"Everything's changing for twelve-year-old Marlee.  Her brother's gone off to college and her sister's moved out of the room they've shared since Marlee was born.  To Marlee, who's not much of a talker outside her family and who doesn't have many friends, it feels like her whole world's falling apart.

On top of all that, she's starting middle school and has to break in new teachers - teachers who don't yet know Marlee doesn't talk.  It's not that she can't talk.  She just doesn't.  At least not until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is everything Marlee wishes she could be: she's brave, brash and always knows the right thing to say, especially to the resident mean girl, Sally.  Liz even helps Marlee overcome her fear of speaking.  But when Liz leaves school without even a good-bye, the rumor is that Liz was really a colored girl caught passing for white. Marlee decides that doesn't matter. She just wants her friend back. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are even willing to take on segregation and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.

Set in 1958, Kristin Levine's novel weaves a moving and heroic tale of friendship and shows us how Little Rock finally found its voice and became whole again."

Pros:  This book is a quick paced, adventurous read.  Kristin writes in a manner that instantly catches your attention and holds it the whole way through.  She makes the point that people are people, to be valued no matter what color their skin is.  This book is an intriguing story of how two girls overcome the stigma of an entire town and have the courage to do what's right, in spite of the trouble it brings them.  I really like how she used 1 Peter 3:14 as a theme throughout the book, even though it isn't technically a Christian fiction book.

Cons: The two girls have a black feather that they pretend gives them courage, kind of like in the movie Dumbo.  They also have what they call "magic squares", but I think they are just like sudoku puzzles; they don't use them for magic or witchcraft or anything like that.

Overall, this book was very good; I would recommend it!  For ages 12 and up.