_ Plain Kate
by Erin Bow

Publisher's Note:  A debut novel that's as sharp as a knife's point.

Plain Kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. As the wood-carver's daughter, Kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden charms are so fine that some even call her "witch-blade" -- a dangerous nickname in a town where witches are hunted and burned in the square.

Overall Review:  Combine a charming, haunting, and lyrical writing style with a fabulous cat, a complex villain, and a lonely but strong girl, and you have Plain Kate by Erin Bow.  The protagonist, Plain Kate, struggles valiantly to make her way in an unfriendly world filled with magic, Roamers, and witch-hunters.   Kate’s aloneness in the world made my heart ache for her and elevated the tension in the story while creating an unpredictable storyline.  Kate’s feline companion provided needed comic relief at key times.  Although it is filled with some painful moments, Plain Kate concludes on an authentic and hopeful note.  Loved it!   Overall Rating:   5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:
VIOLENCE:  a few mild and moderate instances

PROFANITY: none

SEXUAL CONTENT:  none

MATURE THEMES:  a few mild to moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE:   12+

Violence included the following incidences:  there is a report of deaths due to illness; there is report of death by burning; there is a report of a death by drowning; a market stall is attacked and destroyed with an ax; a character is attacked by a crowd/mob and the character’s ear is cut with a knife; there is a report of deaths by a plague; a character is locked in a cage and then the cage is set on fire; a magical creature destroys some people; a character is tortured; a character dies by knife; a character dies.

Mature themes include stereotyping, witch hunts, death, exploitation of the weak and outcast, revenge, and restitution.

Other content of note was magic involving the use of blood.  The blood was not obtained through violence per se, but nevertheless those scenes could be a bit disturbing for someone sensitive to blood.  Also there was a reference to a “woman’s monthly blood”.  Because of these items and some of the heavier themes, I would recommend a slightly older reader.

Plain Kate is a Clean Read for ages 12+!

_This review was written by Cindy M.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer

The Amulet of Samarkand
by Jonathan Stroud

Publisher's Note:  Nathaniel is a magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hot-shot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of his elders, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who's boss. With revenge on his mind, he summons the powerful djinni, Bartimaeus. But summoning Bartimaeus and controlling him are two different things entirely, and when Nathaniel sends the djinni out to steal Lovelace's greatest treasure, the Amulet of Samarkand, he finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of magical espionage, murder, and rebellion.

Overall Review:  The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud and its main character, Bartimaeus, rock!  There is just no other way to say it.  This book introduces us to Nathaniel, an apprentice magician, and to Bartimaeus, a djinn.  Armed with an infallible, lofty self-esteem, Bartimaeus keeps the narrative clipping with his observations, asides, and snarky comments which are delivered via footnotes.  The footnotes are sheer brilliance of the highest degree and propel this book into an elite class of fiction.  In addition to the format and the characters, the plot line is strong and never flags.

This book can be found shelved in either the children’s section or the young adult section, but it is one of the rare books that can capture an older audience.  Bartimaeus is complex and entertaining enough to hook an adult.  This is the first book of a series that started as a trilogy, but last year a fourth Bartimaeous book ( essentially a prequel) came out.  Taken as a whole, The Bartimaeus Trilogy is near the top of my all-time best series list due to individual book strength, continuity and congruent vision among the books, and several of the best characters of recent children/YA fantasy.    Overall  Rating:   5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:
VIOLENCE:  many mild instances and a few moderate instances

PROFANITY:  two mild

SEXUAL CONTENT:  none

MATURE THEMES:  none

RECOMMENDED AGE:   12+

Violence consists primarily of magical battling, including but not limited to:  explosions, clouting, vaporizations, bombing, squishing, detonations, throwing.[1]   The majority of violence is inflicted by the various imps, djinni, afrits, madrids, and foilots on each other as they carry out their masters’ biddings.   The descriptions were brief[2] and non-gory.  There is a reported murder.  A fire results in two deaths.  There are instances of characters being knocked unconscious by walls, rolling pins, etc.  There is the death of a couple of human characters as a result of some of the magical dueling. 

Only two mild profanities were noted.  

This book is best for a strong reader who can navigate the footnotes employed by the author.   Sidenote:  Don’t be alarmed, as I initially was, when the book begins with pentacles and the summoning of a demon.[3]  Those items are quickly re-defined within the parameters of the magical, fictional world the author has created and are not sinister.[4]   

The Amulet of Samarkand is a Clean Read for ages 12+!

[1] You get the idea.  Think Mario Super-Smash Brothers type of fighting.

[2] Yet, quite amusing.

[3] Don’t call him a demon.  Bartimaeus prefers djinn.

[4] Think genie in a lamp.

This review was written by Cindy M.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
by Mary E. Pearson

Publisher's Note:  Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?

This fascinating novel represents a stunning new direction for acclaimed author Mary Pearson. Set in a near future America, it takes readers on an unforgettable journey through questions of bio-medical ethics and the nature of humanity. Mary Pearson's vividly drawn characters and masterful writing soar to a new level of sophistication. The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Overall Review:  Set in the near future, The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson introduces us to Jenna Fox, a seventeen year-old emerging from a coma after a serious auto accident.  As Jenna proceeds through the recovery process, the reader proceeds with her, trying to uncover the truth about the accident and the secrets that are being kept from her.  The author successfully balances the characters, plot, action, and mystery to pull the reader along.  The likeable and authentic main character and the free-flowing chapter style and layout gives this book a contemporary feel that will appeal to young adults.  However, because it addresses issues about science/medicine and ethics, souls and humanity, choice and manipulation, and parent-child relationships, this book’s audience easily extends beyond the young adult demographic.  Multi-generation characters with varying points of view also offer something to adult readers.  The Adoration of Jenna Fox is reminiscent of books such as The Giver and Enchantress from the Stars in that it asks complex questions, but doesn’t provide the answers.  I found myself thinking about the book long after I had completed reading it.  Relevant, reflective, refreshing—do yourself a favor and add this book to your must-read list.  Overall  Rating:   5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

VIOLENCE:  three mild instances

PROFANITY:  a few mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT:  three mild instances

MATURE THEMES:  several moderate mature themes

RECOMMENDED AGE:   16+

Violence consists of a reported accident and learning that a character served time in prison for beating someone (the event is not described).  One character tries to force a character to go somewhere with him and the character successfully defends herself by grabbing his crotch.

Profanity consists of approximately a dozen mild, religious profanities.  While technically not a profanity, a coarse word is used.  Another coarse word is used and a character, not understanding its meaning, misuses it later.  That word then becomes somewhat of a running joke and is used several, subsequent times. 

Sexual content consists of the following three scenes:  two characters kiss;  two characters embrace and are “passionately kissing”;  two characters French kiss.  Each of the three scenes is very brief and consists of only one to two sentences.

Mature themes include, but are not limited to, keeping secrets, parent-child relationships, friendship, medical ethics or lack thereof, illegal activities, control/choice/manipulation, souls, humanity.  This book has excellent discussion material for a book club or school project. 

This book is a Clean Read for ages 16+!

This review was written by Cindy M.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer

_ Heist Society
by Ally Carter

Publisher's Note:  When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own--scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected. Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help. For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in history--or at least her family's (very crooked) history.

Overall Review:  Meet Kat, a cleverly believable fifteen-year-old sleuth in a cast of sassy characters on a mission to save Kat’s dad from a dark enemy with a bad reputation.  As the daughter of a professional thief, Kat has always been his assistant by necessity, not by choice.  Then there’s Hale, Kat’s gorgeous guy friend and willing accomplice.  Although Kat’s left the family business once and for all, Hale’s begging her back into it and she’s in over her head.  As she assembles her own group of teenage partners in crime while running around the globe, you will feel you are right along with her. In a witty escapade that cannot be put down, there were no wasteful words -- a brilliant adventure with just the right amount of love and intrigue.  Since I enjoyed Heist Society so much, I will definitely be looking for more from this ingenious author, Ally Carter! Overall Rating is 5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:
PROFANITY: none

VIOLENCE: none

SEXUAL CONTENT: none

MATURE THEMES: mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 14+

A refreshingly clean, enjoyable read.  Nothing much to complain about, but if I must be picky, there is one character who is noted for her ample chest, long legs and short skirts.  Also a brief question of male nudity, although it doesn’t turn out to be actual nudity.  Another character is noted to have an ample chest in quite a few instances, although not in an overly sexual way. 

Honeymoon Heist is recommended as a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 14+.

_This review was written by Jen.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer.
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Disney/Hyperion for a review.

The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas

Publisher's Note:  Dashing young Edmond Dantès has everything. He is engaged to a beautiful woman, is about to become the captain of a ship, and is well liked by almost everyone. But his perfect life is shattered when he is framed by a jealous rival and thrown into a dark prison cell for 14 years.

Overall Review:  Love. Betrayal. False Imprisonment. A Daring Escape. A Hidden Treasure.  A Calculated Revenge.  The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas has it all.  A classic among classics, this story justly deserves all the praise its fans have heaped upon it over the years.  It transcends beyond an adventure story into the dissection of motives, revenge, and justification.

Overall Rating:   5 out of 5 stars!

Reviewers Note: Readers beware! Make sure you read the right book!  The edition of this book that was sent to me for review had an anonymous abridgement and translation.  Frankly, it was poor.  Significant sections of the story are omitted all together, some story lines are not finished, and sections of no relevance to the plot are included.  These flaws result in the diminishing of a great story to a barely tolerable, diluted one.   If you choose an abridged version, I strongly suggest the version by Lowell Bair.  That is The Count of Monte Cristo I fell in love with! 

Content Review:
VIOLENCE:  a few mild instances

PROFANITY:  one mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT:  one mild instance

MATURE THEMES:  a few mild to moderate mature themes

RECOMMENDED AGE:   16+

The following content review is for the Sterling (Barnes and Noble Classics) edition with translation and abridgement by an anonymous party.  Content in the unabridged version or in other abridgements, may (and does) contain additional items which are not noted here.

Violence  includes the following:  report of a robber and his methods; report of impending execution; report a of skirmish and fighting with a few details; report by a character of a battle involving death by sword, knife, gunfire; the death by poisoning or illness of five characters; the suicide of two characters. 

Profanity was noted once.  There were instances when characters called upon God or Heaven for help, but these instances fell under the category of supplication. 

Sexual content consists of a character kissing another character’s hand.  An affair was implied.

Mature themes include, but are not limited to betrayal, revenge, vengeance, judgment, and suicide.  This book has excellent discussion material for a book club or school project. 

This particular abridgement of The Count of Monte Cristo is a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 16+!

_This review was written by Cindy M.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Sterling (Barnes and Noble Classics)  for a review.

_ R my name is Rachel
by Patricia Reilly Giff

Publisher's Note:  Rachel, Cassie, and Joey live in the city with their Pop, until Pop's search for work lands the family on a run down farm. Dreamy Rachel loves to read, and doesn't know much about the country. Times are hard there, too—the school and library are closed.  When Pop gets work near Canada, he has to leave the children on the farm alone. For two months! But Rachel's the oldest, and she'll make sure they're all right. Somehow.
 
Overall Review: In R my name is Rachel, award-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff delivers a delightful and touching story about life during the Great Depression. Twelve-year-old Rachel adores life in the city. She shines at school and loves to read and write letters -- she’s even planning to write a letter congratulating Babe Ruth on hitting so many home runs! The bits of history that were sprinkled throughout these pages were charming. I loved that popular books and songs of the period, as well as presidents, were all woven into the story.

As the Depression changes everything, Rachel and her two siblings are suddenly alone on a dilapidated farm. Rachel steps up to the challenge and proves she is a one-in-a-million character. She’s charming and optimistic, not afraid of hard work and wise beyond her years. Rachel’s perseverance during difficult times is nothing short of inspiring. Her honest narrations offer a realistic view of how life during the Depression must have been. With similar economic times today, the novel’s message of hope and love will resonate with readers of any age. Lovable characters and a heartwarming plot make R my name is Rachela real winner. Overall rating is 5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:
PROFANITY: none

VIOLENCE: none

SEXUAL CONTENT: none

MATURE THEMES: mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+

There is no profanity, violence or sexual content in this book.

There are several mature themes that deal with life during the Great Depression; however, they are approached mildly and from a twelve-year-old’s perspective.  These themes include the consequences of a parent losing a job, financial hardship and emotional stress, moving, and living without parents.

R my name is Rachel is a fantastic Squeaky Clean Read recommended for all ages!

_This review was written by Rachel.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Wendy Lamb an imprint of Random House Children's Publishing for a review.

_ David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens    

Publisher's Note:  Dickens' favorite of all his novels, David Copperfield is the story of a boy who loses both parents at an early age, and who escapes the torture of working for his pitiless stepfather to make something of himself and, with any luck, find true happiness.

Overall Review:

“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show”

So begins the delightful tale of David Copperfield, Charles Dicken’s favorite and most autobiographical novel.The writing within this book is beautiful and poetic, powerful and oftentimes haunting. A few scenes were so tragic and touching that they brought tears to my eyes. Cheerfulness and laughter are also found within these pages; several chapters are truly magical and should be read again and again to fully savor their sweetness! Dicken’s descriptions were so vivid that it was often surprising to look up and not find myself in England.

As a character, David is lovable from the beginning. His narrations are refreshingly honest, optimistic and even wholesome. As years pass and David matures, he remains noble and virtuous despite many disastrous crises in his life. Long after the story has ended, readers will be touched by the goodness of David’s character. In fact, all the book’s characters are unique and memorable. This is a tale rife with heros and heroines, villains and scoundrels. Each character has a complex personality, distinct role and often a specific dialect that breathes this story to life.

 With remarkable characters and beautiful prose, it’s easy to understand why David Copperfieldis a classic.Overall rating is 5 out of 5 stars!

  Content Review:
PROFANITY: none 

VIOLENCE: several mild instances and one moderate

SEXUAL CONTENT: mild

MATURE THEMES: mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 16+

There is no profanity in this novel.

Instances of mild violence include a fistfight between two young men, several schoolboys caned or hit across the knuckles with rulers, and a woman striking a man. The moderate incident is when a boy is beaten by his stepfather. Several characters die by means of illness, shipwreck, and old age. Many of these instances are causally mentioned and little to no detail of the violence is given.

Sexual content is primarily made up of school-boy crushes and childish kisses. Two characters run away together and the consequences of their actions are often alluded to. The term ‘running away together’ is never explicitly defined.

Mature themes include abuse, death, neglect, poverty, hardship, societal standing, love, forgiveness and friendship. Most of these themes are discussed from young David’s childish perspective and therefore glossed over.

 David Copperfield is a Clean Read for ages 16+!

_This review was written by Rachel.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Sterling (Barnes and Noble Classics) for a review.

_
The Jungle Book
by Rudyard Kipling

Publisher's Note:  Children will delight in this unabridged version of Rudyard Kipling’s classics, Jungle Books One and Two! Not only does this attractive volume feature the beloved tales of Mowgli, the “man cub” raised by wolves, and Rikki Tikki Tavi, but also the lesser-known but wonderful stories of Toomai, the boy who gets to see elephants dance; Quiquern, who saves his Eskimo people from starvation; and Kotick, the white seal.

Overall Review: Kipling’s masterful way with words makes it easy to see why The Jungle Book has been a classic for so long! In this collection of fifteen stories (originally published as The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book), Kipling weaves tales of exotic animals from the lush jungles of India to the barren ice plains of Alaska. I was captivated by the beautiful descriptions, the well-developed characters, and the plots that were sometimes stirring, sometimes amusing, and sometimes both. The stories in The Jungle Book are timeless, bringing a different world to life in their pages. Although the old-fashioned high diction of the dialogue could be difficult for a young reader to follow, this would make a great read-aloud book! Themes of courage, honor, love, loyalty, and friendship make The Jungle Book a terrific read for all ages. Overall Rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Content Review:
PROFANITY: Very mild

VIOLENCE: Mild, some moderate

SEXUAL CONTENT: None

MATURE THEMES: Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+

There is very mild profanity, consisting only of made-up oaths (i.e. “By the broken lock that freed me”).

There is mild to moderate violence throughout the book, consistent with stories of the animal kingdom--animals hunt and kill other animals, occasionally an animal (or group of animals) is hunted or killed by a human, occasionally mention is made of a human being hunted or killed by an animal (nothing graphic is ever shown). Animals are skinned for their pelts. An animal is killed with a large gun and it is said that he is blasted into pieces. A kite (carrion bird) is mentioned throughout the book as feeding off of corpses (nothing is ever described). Although occasional mention is made of blood or dead bodies, nothing is graphic.

Although a few characters in the stories form mild romantic attachments, and in one story a boy and a girl are trapped in a storm and must spend several nights in a snow house together (the story is completely non-sexual), there is no real sexual content.

Mature themes consist of death, jungle violence (i.e. hunting, predation, etc.), and corruption and greed.

This book is recommended as a Clean Read for ages 9+.

_This review was written by Cindy B.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Sterling (an imprint of Barnes and Noble) for a review.

_The Giver
by Lois Lowry

Publisher's Note:  Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world.

When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does Jonas begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

Overall Review:A very simple read yet with a thought-provoking twist is exactly what Lois Lowry's book The Giver offers to the reader. Care, trust, unity and happiness dwell in the dystopian town that Jonas lives in. The characters thrive in exactness and everything seems perfect, but is it too perfect? Jonas and the reader become united in understanding as the “giver” unveils the horrible truths within the city and its' people. Sufficient description is given to catch the attention of the reader yet leaves enough to the imagination to bring the events and characters to life. Sure to leave one pondering about implications in the book, The Giver is a story full of depth, wisdom and strong characters. Overall rating 5 out of 5 stars.

Content Review
Profanity: none

Violence: mild with one moderate instance

Sexual Content: mild

Mature Themes: mild mature theme

Recommended Ages: 12+

This book contains no profanities. The violence includes a smacking of a three year old for an offense. Warfare, starvation and killing animals are shown to a character through memories in the story. The moderate instance of violence is a disturbing way of killing an infant through injection of fluids. Sexual content is very minimal in that a character feels “stirrings,” a mention of a dream, and his body “wanting” something. The Giver mentions the dependance the elderly have on the younger people, needing their help to bathe. This is a very profound read which introduces the reader to situations in the world including warfare, pain, responsibilities and coming-of-age dilemmas which gives it a mild mature theme.

The Giver is recommended for ages 12+.

This review was written by Misty.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
_This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House for a review
 

In the Hall of the Dragon King
by Stephen R. Lawhead

Publisher's Note: 
A kingdom hangs in the balance...and a young boy answers the call.

Carrying a sealed message from the war-hero Dragon King to the queen, Quentin and his outlaw companion, Theido, plunge headlong into a fantastic odyssey and mystic quest.  Danger lurks everywhere in the brutal terrain, and particularly in the threats from merciless creatures, both human and not-so-human.

While at the castle, the wicked Prince Jaspin schemes to secure the crown for himself, and an evil sorcerer concocts his own monstrous plan.  A plan that Quentin and Theido could never imagine.

In the youth's valiant efforts to save the kingdom and fulfill his unique destiny, he will cross strange and wondrous lands; encounter brave knights, beautiful maidens, and a mysterious hermit; and battle a giant, deadly serpent.
_
Overall Review:  In the Hall of the Dragon King brings the times of kings, queens, knights and darklords to life with its engaging plot of good versus evil. An urgent message that is brought forth by a wounded knight captures the readers attention from the early pages of the book. As the story continues Quentin, a young acolyte, realizes that his role is much more important than just helping to ensure the delivery of the message. The reader will enjoy a thrilling plot and unexpected turns in the journey to bring the King back and set things straight. The author, Stephen R. Lawhead, provides maps of Mensandor and Elsandor to further engage readers in the story and bring the details to life. In the Hall of the Dragon King is only the first book of a trilogy and is recommended for those whom truly enjoy adventure. Overall rating is 5 out of 5 stars!


Content Review

Language: Mild

Violence: Moderate and Strong instances

Sexual Content: Mild

Mature Theme: Moderate

Recommended Age:16+

The language is due to mention of the Lord or God when asking for help or for a characters well being.

Regarding sexual content, one character briefly looks at another “lustfully.”

War violence is very present in this book. Cries of men drowning, swords, arrows, and men falling on pikes are described. Wolves attack a couple characters and a snake fight occurs. Soldiers mistreat a prisoner causing his head to hit on the floor. Description of blood is present yet not gory. The strong instances pertain to creatures called Harriers who are menacing and enjoy to kill. In a battle two harriers become beheaded and the third harrier shows the character who sent them. A severed finger is shown to characters. Dead bodies rise, their faces are described and meant to evoke fear.

The language and sexual content are very mild in this book but the violence is present enough to make In the Hall of the Dragon King a moderate mature theme.

In the Hall of the Dragon King is recommended for ages 16+.

_This review was written by Misty.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Thomas Nelson Publishing for a review.