_Shabanu: Daughter of the Winds
By Suzanne Fisher Staples       

Publisher's Note:  Life is both sweet and cruel to strong-willed young Shabanu, whose home is the windswept Cholistan Desert of Pakistan. The second daughter in a family with no sons, she’s been allowed freedoms forbidden to most Muslim girls. But when a tragic encounter with a wealthy and powerful landowner ruins the marriage plans of her older sister, Shabanu is called upon to sacrifice everything she’s dreamed of. Should she do what is necessary to uphold her family’s honor—or listen to the stirrings of her own heart?

Overall Review:  Shabanu: Daughter of the Winds is the coming-of-age tale of a young Muslim girl who lives in the Cholistan desert in Pakistan.  Suzanne Fisher Staples tells a poignant story portraying the life and culture of these desert families and the role of women in them.  The language is stark and vivid, much like the lives and landscape of the desert people Staples is writing about.  The story is a little slow to get going and continues somewhat unremarkably for a while, giving a detailed picture of how life is for a young Pakistani desert girl whose family raises camels.  One keeps wondering again and again when the climax will come, then suddenly it’s there like a hammer strike and the story explodes!  In the conversation with the author in the back of the book, Staples says that Shabanu is an exploration of the “universality of human experience” and the similarities of women across many cultures; however, I found it very difficult to overcome the drastic and sometimes shocking differences between Shabanu’s culture and my own.  In the end, though, I found myself in tears over the spirit of a young girl struggling against the strictures of her society and how she reconciled herself to them and became a woman.  An eye-opening and thought-provoking read.  Overall Rating:  4 our of 5 Stars.

Content Review:
Violence: Few strong Instances

Profanity:  None

Sexual Content: Several mild instances

Mature Themes:  Few strong instances

Recommended Age Group: 14+

There are several instances of death in this book, both by natural causes (they do live in a harsh desert climate) and by less natural.  Two main characters’ lives and virginity are threatened, and there is at least one instance of a harsh beating.

There is no profanity to speak of. 

The family lives in the desert in small huts and raises camels; issues of both animal and human sexuality are referred to several times, though never detailed or in a base manner.  Again, the virginity of characters is threatened. 

Mature themes are based mostly in the fact that girls are married off at age thirteen to one of their parents’ choosing and all the ramifications therein, and the potential rape of a young girl.  Sexual themes in raising animals, close desert life, and girls thinking of their own futures—while never explicit in any way—would also lend the book toward a more mature audience. 

Shabanu is rrecommended for ages 14+.

_This review was written by Kristen.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Laurel Leaf, a Random House Imprint for a review.

_ 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.

_ Six Months to Live
by Lurlene McDaniels

Publisher's Note:  When 13-year-old Dawn Rochelle is diagnosed with  leukemia, she's scared. While in the hospital  undergoing chemotherapy, Dawn meets Sandy, who also  has cancer. Dawn and Sandy battle the disease  together, and remain best friends even after they both  go into remission and return home. But when Sandy  gets sick again, Dawn wonders what the future  holds both for Sandy and herself.

Overall Review:  Six Months to Live is a quick read perfect for any teenager whose life has been touched by cancer. Thirteen-year-old Dawn is devastated when she learns she has leukemia, but author Lurlene McDaniels tackles the heavy subject with honesty and quiet optimism. Dawn’s hospital stay is clearly described, and the emotional toll cancer takes is thoroughly discussed. A good portion of Six Months to Live addresses life during remission, particularly Dawn’s time at a cancer summer camp for teenagers. Readers will celebrate as Dawn participates in camp activities, makes lifelong friends and even finds summer romance. 

Six Months to Live is an informative and entertaining read. It offers an optimal balance of encouragement and experience for the designated teenage audience. Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:
PROFANITY: none

VIOLENCE: none

SEXUAL CONTENT: one mild instance

MATURE THEMES: moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE: 14+

There is no profanity or violence in this book.

Sexual content includes two teenage girls being kissed by two teenage boys. This was sweet and not sexual in connotation.

There are several mature themes that deal with cancer: hardship, sickness, death, and fear. Some of the physical side effects of Dawn’s treatment are listed, which may be upsetting to some readers. Other themes include family, friendships, hope and love.

Six Months to Live is recommended as a clean read for ages 14+!

_This review was written by Rachel.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Lerner Publishing for a review.
 

The Hunchback Assignments #3:  Empire of Ruins
by Arthur Slade

Publisher's Note:   Secret agent Modo's next assignment? Find ancient Egyptian ruins hidden deep in the Australian jungle and the mysterious God Face, rumored to be a powerful weapon—anyone who looks upon it will be driven mad. And he must find the God Face before the evil Clockwork Guild does!

Overall Review:  Saturday-matinee-swashbuckling-adventure is satisfyingly and handsomely delivered by Arthur Slade in Empire of Ruins, the third installment in his Hunchback Assignments Series.  The surprise is that the book delivers more than action and adventure; it delivers characters with internal conflicts, contradictions, and depth.  Set in Victorian England at the height of British imperialism, the story follows Modo and Octavia, secret agents in the service of their country.  Octavia is charming as she channels a little of Eliza Doolittle and Modo is heroic as he channels a bit of The Saint and Jackie Chan—Victorian-style, of course.  Throw-in some first-rate villains with a Jules Verne twist and you have a cocktail for a thrilling ride.  The seamless, flowing action scenes suck the reader in and assure a complete loss of productivity until the book is finished.

Although I have not read the first two installments in the series, there was no problem in picking up the basic back story and character history.  My seventh grade son and I will be checking out the first two books in the series with high expectations.  Based on Empire of Ruins’ ending, The Hunchback Assignments will most likely have more installments coming.  Overall Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

VIOLENCE: many mild instances and one moderate instance

PROFANITY: five mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT: none

MATURE THEMES: a few mild

RECOMMENDED AGE:  14+

The overall tone of violence was mild, brief and non-graphic in description, and often fell more under “action” than violence (For example, often there are shots exchanged, but no one is hit.)  Violence noted was as follows: a character falls from an airship resulting in some bruises; a character’s pinky finger is cut off by a saber; natives chase a character and throw spears; a character murders another character by cutting a climbing rope; a character murders another characters via poison in a drink; mechanical entities attack a character and administer poison through a cut, thus resulting in the character’s death; an insane character appears to have self-inflicted gouges in his face; two characters scuffle or fight with kicking, punching, yanking, and so forth; there is the report of a man being thrown off an airship; shots are fired at a character; a character hits another character with a wrench; another character falls from an airship; shots are exchanged between characters; dogs chase some characters; the report of death of two soldiers and the implied death of five others when they disappear into the jungle; the death of a character by crocodile; the death of a crocodile.

Mild religious profanities were noted five times.

Mature themes included the following:  self-image/self-esteem/self-identity; the implications of British imperialism; patriotic duties; manipulation of and exploitation of individuals for personal and patriotic reasons.

 Empire of Ruins is a Clean Read for Ages 14+.

This review was written by Cindy M.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Wendy Lamb Books for a review

The Hunchback Assignments
by Arthur Slade

Publisher's Note:  A gripping new series combines Steampunk, spying, and a fantastic Victorian London.

The mysterious Mr. Socrates rescues Modo, a child in a traveling freak show. Modo is a hunchback with an amazing ability to transform his appearance, and Mr. Socrates raises him in isolation as an agent for the Permanent Association, a spy agency behind Brittania’s efforts to rule the empire. At 14, Modo is left on the streets of London to fend for himself. When he encounters Octavia Milkweed, another Association agent, the two uncover a plot by the Clockwork Guild behind the murders of important men. Furthermore, a mad scientist is turning orphan children into automatons to further the goals of the Guild. Modo and Octavia journey deep into the tunnels under London and discover a terrifying plot against the British government. It’s up to them to save their country.

Overall Review:  After reviewing the third book in this series, I sought out the first book to see how it measured up.  I am delighted to report that The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade did not disappoint.   Spy organizations in Victorian England battle it out with a sprinkling of steampunk flair.  The action, plot, and dialogue are spot-on, but the young spies, Octavia and Modo, elevate the book beyond mere adventure.  Octavia has spunk and verve without being acidic or catty.  Modo, the protagonist, has the heart of a lion.  The characters have layers that can be peeled back to arrive at intriguing complexities and subtle themes.  The fact that Slade knows how to end a chapter and how to add a touch of poetry is icing on the cake.  Difficult to put down, The Hunchback Assignments is highly recommended!  Overall  Rating:   4.5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

VIOLENCE:  several mild instances

PROFANITY:  none

SEXUAL CONTENT:  none

MATURE THEMES:  some mild themes

RECOMMENDED AGE:   14+

Violence overall was brief in description and often tended more towards the category of action.  Incidents noted were as follows:  a brief fight involving some punching and a character becomes unconscious; during an inquisition a character scratches another character’s cheek and pokes at the character’s eyeball; there is a scuffle between characters with some pushing; a character is murdered by being pushed from a window; there is a scuffle among characters and some shots are fired (no one is hit); there is an explosion; two characters struggle with punching and kicking and acid burns a character’s face resulting in a fall; characters arrive at a scene where a horse is injured and a man is pinned under a carriage; a weapon wrecks havoc in London by destroying structures; some characters fight with punching, tackling, strangling, and shots are fired (no one is hit); a character drowns.

Mature themes include scientific ethics and experimentation; self-acceptance; control and independence; parental abandonment; the value of individuals versus loyalty to authority/country; priorities and triage in battle; manipulation.

Other content of note was the scientific experimentation and exploitation of orphaned children.  While not graphically described, it was slightly disturbing.  There was also scientific experimentation on animals.  An opium den was mentioned.

The Hunchback Assignments is a Clean Read for ages 14+!

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

The Girl Behind the Glass
by Jane Kelley

Publisher’s Note: The house on Hemlock Road used to be someone's home. Until something happened. Something that even after 80 years, can never be forgotten or forgiven . . . .

Eleven-year-old twins Hannah and Anna agree about everything—especially that they don't want to move to the creepy old house on Hemlock Road. But as soon as they move into the house, the twins start disagreeing for the first time in their lives. In fact, it's almost as though something or someone is trying to drive them apart. While Anna settles in, Hannah can't ignore the strange things that keep happening on Hemlock Road. Why does she sense things that no one else in the family does?  Like when the hemlock branch outside waves shush, shush. Or at night, if she listens hard enough, it's almost as though someone is trying to talk to her. Someone no one else can hear. Someone angry enough to want revenge. Hannah, are you listening? Is the house haunted? Is Hannah crazy? Or does something in the house want her as a best friend—forever?

Overall Review:  How scary it must be to live in a haunted house.  Hannah and her twin sister Anna (and their family) have moved into a house that is purported to be haunted by a ghost with green eyes.  But ghosts aren’t real, right?  But what if the house you live in seems to have random gusts of wind…inside? And a tree branch (just one) that waves at you? And what if the longer you live there, the more you start to feel anger and hatred and suspicion of everyone around you?  And is that a voice I hear?  Why is the ghost still there, and what does she want everyone (especially Hannah) to know?

The point of view of this story is so interesting.  It is all told from the eyes of the ghost who haunts the house.  How often do we get the ghosts’ side of the story?  The tone is dark and foreboding, and while it gives you chills and makes you want to turn up the lights, it also keeps your attention and is difficult to put down!  The Girl Behind the Glass is not only a great ghost story for a younger audience, it is also full of the importance of family—especially sisters!—and of understanding and forgiveness.  Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: None

VIOLENCE: Mild throughout

SEXUAL CONTENT: Two very mild instances

MATURE THEMES: Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 14+

There was one crude reference to a girl’s large behind, but there was no profanity.

There is some mild violence.  The narrator is a ghost and alludes often to her murder (death) and that of small creatures.  A character almost drowns in a swamp.  A character is hit over the head by a somewhat crazy person and drowns in a pond.  Bats fly around and seem to attack people (they really don’t).  A character dies of a heart attack after seeing something scary in a window.

There were two instances where two teenagers kiss—once in a car and once in a bedroom.  The descriptions were things like they stayed inside the car “doing things that teenagers did in dark cars”, and the bed creaking while in the bedroom.

The themes were more moderate as it dealt with ghosts and the supernatural, death and murder, overwhelming hate and anger, mean thoughts/feelings, bullying, feeling left out, sisters, friendship, and ultimately forgiveness. The parents of one character consider taking her to a psychiatrist because she can hear ghosts.  A character tries to have a séance.  The overall tone is very tense and maintains a chillingly spooky ambiance, but it is well done and stays clean!

The Girl Behind the Glass is recommended as a Clean Read for ages 14+!

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow
by Katy Towell

Publisher’s Note: Twelve years ago, for 12 days straight, the town of Widowsbury suffered a terrible storm, which tore open a gate through which escaped all sorts of foul, rotten things. Strange things and strange people were no longer welcomed in Widowsbury, for one could never be sure of what secrets waited under the surface . . .

Adelaide Foss, Maggie Borland, and Beatrice Alfred are known by their classmates at Widowsbury's Madame Gertrude's School for Girls as "scary children." Unfairly targeted because of their peculiarities—Adelaide has an uncanny resemblance to a werewolf, Maggie is abnormally strong, and Beatrice claims to be able to see ghosts—the girls spend a good deal of time isolated in the school's inhospitable library facing detention. But when a number of people mysteriously begin to disappear in Widowsbury, the girls work together, along with Steffen Weller, son of the cook at Rudyard School for Boys, to find out who is behind the abductions. Will they be able to save Widowsbury from a 12-year-old curse?

Overall Review:  Meet the Scary Children (or Skary Childrin, as spelled by Beatrice):  Adelaide is shunned because everyone believes she is a werewolf!  Yes, her ears are pointed, her fingernails look more like claws, she can see and smell more than anyone else…but that doesn’t mean she’s a bad person, right?  Maggie is amazingly strong and beats up those who try to pick on others—which means she is shunned as well.  She’s also usually very grumpy and sarcastic, but she’s a loyal friend.  Beatrice can see and talk to ghosts (mostly animals, though), so everyone thinks she is creepy and weird, but she is the sweetest, most innocent and positive person you could meet!  And I loved her sweet little ghost mouse-turned-postman!  Then there’s my personal favorite: Steffen.  He’s a pretty normal kid, actually.  He’s poor and he’s homeschooled since his dad can’t afford to send him to school, but he is happy and cute and willing to help others.  And, oh, how I loved all his inventions (especially his invisibility hats, which don’t actually work) and his fetish with peanut butter sandwiches!

The curse of Widowsbury is taking a turn for the worse and people are disappearing.  The town is already wary of anything new and now they are even more scared and suspicious.  The four children stumble onto something they were definitely not meant to see and as they try desperately to warn people, the only reaction they get is more trouble!!  Could the big old carousel really be as evil as they think it is?  And what is it, exactly?  What started out as a mystery surrounding their missing librarian, turns into a fight to save the entire town from something worse than they ever could have imagined!

Skary Childrin is what happens when you take elements from ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’, ‘X-Men’, ‘Poltergeist’, and ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’, mix it all together, and put it in the microwave!  Fast paced and very scary—if you want to be scared silly, then this is the book for you!  Make sure you keep a flashlight handy!  Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY:  One moderate instance

VIOLENCE: Many mild and a few moderate instances throughout

SEXUAL CONTENT: None

MATURE THEMES: Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 12+

There is one instance of an ‘omg’. (Not the acronym.)

There is a lot of mild violence, such as bullying and mean people.  They do things like calling names, taunting, humiliating…doing anything possible to make the others feel horrible.  The headmistress dislikes some of the students and constantly punishes them with cruel punishments: The Wall (sitting against a rough brick wall for an entire day while everyone looks on), The Wailing Room (characters are put inside a small room for a very extended period of time without any lights, or food, and with the door shut and locked with chains and padlocks—rumor has it there is a wailing ghost inside and it may or may not let you live), or The Library (a very gloomy, damp room with horrible people as librarians who hit them, make fun of them, and generally make their lives miserable).  There are a few different instances of ghost attacks: One instance is when the main characters are trying to get a bully to leave them alone, and they have some ghosts attack her in order to scare her into leaving them alone.  It mostly works, as she is very shaken.  Another instance is when a ghost chases after a character in order to deliver a message, but while she’s trying to deliver the message (that the town will be eaten), she transforms into something very scary (this happens twice).  There is an evil shadow man who is behind the disappearances and hates everyone.  He tries to trick people into following him and tries to get into some character’s windows late at night during a lightning storm.  A strange shape-shifting creature feeds off of sadness, but becomes mutated and ends up becoming a person-eating monster.  A character gives out candy made from poisoned blood.  When characters enter the carousel they are attacked by mutated and scary creatures (giant scorpions, tarantulas, bears, hornets, bat-dogs, etc).  A character finds another character covered in slime and mostly unconscious who screams in terror over and over again.  When the evil creature is defeated, it vomits people all over and then it melts—the skin melting right off the body (lots of description).  There are some scary pictures.

The mature themes are fairly moderate and deal with curses, the reality of monsters and evil, supernatural occurrences, misery and death—it’s pretty scary.  Some mild themes are that of fitting in/being different, friendship, and being loyal and helping others. 

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow is recommended for ages 12+.

Here Lies Linc
by Delia Rey

Publisher's Note:  When 12-year-old Linc Crenshaw decides he wants to go to public school, his professor mom isn't so happy with the idea. He's convinced it will be the ticket to a new social life. Instead, it's a disaster when his mom shows up at their field trip to the local cemetery to lecture them on gravestones, and Linc sees her through his fellow-students' eyes. He's convinced his chances at a social life are over until a cemetery-related project makes him sought-after by fellow students he's not so sure he wants as friends, helps him make a new, genuine friend, and brings to light some information about his family that upends his world.

Overall Review:  From the title, and even the cover art, of this book, I admit that I was expecting something in the way of a silly spooky teen story to get you ready for Halloween.  Wasn’t I surprised to find, instead of a supernatural fantasy, a wonderful story based on a true account!  Here Lies Linc has a contemporary and engaging plot, full of finding connections with yourself and your past.

Linc (Lincoln) learns so many things as he struggles to find himself.  He’s in a new school and has a strange mother.  He doesn’t know where he belongs.  I have to admit that through much of the book, I didn’t like Linc.  He had no backbone and seemed to have no qualms with lying, stealing, and pretending to be someone he wasn’t.  However, he did improve and learn!  It did make me think of the fact that many of us, at one time or another, feel like we want to ‘fit in’ and do some pretty dumb things to do it.  Luckily, Linc’s mistakes take him down a very interesting path of discovery—both of the past and of his future.  He makes some wonderful friendships with very unlikely people (especially his cute old neighbor, Mr. Krasny, whom I loved) and discovers the joy of searching through the past and making lasting connections with his community.

Learning about the Black Angel monument in the Iowa City, Oakland Cemetery was so interesting, especially because it was true!  We have the opportunity to follow Linc as he works to disprove the ‘curse’ of the Black Angel and uncover the true identity of the woman who commissioned the monument and why she did it.  I loved reading the epitaphs at the beginning of each chapter, and they become even more fun as I discovered that they are real epitaphs from actual headstones!  There were funny ones, sad ones, and many famous ones.  It made me wonder what I would write on mine…  More than anything, though, I loved seeing the joy that came to so many people as they searched through the past to uncover the truth!

This novel takes place around a cemetery, but it never gets creepy. Instead, it makes you want to go to a cemetery and wander around, just to see what stories you may find!  Overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 Stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: One mild instance

VIOLENCE: A few very mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT: One very mild instance

MATURE THEMES: Mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 12+

There is one mild exclamation of profanity (a character is thankful about something).

The few very mild instances of violence include a short description of a movie some characters are watching (a horror movie for Halloween—included zombies and a ‘jump’ scene), a story about a cursed statue (some characters become ‘cursed’ after defacing a ‘cursed’ statue and lose arms/fingers), and some mean pictures/remarks about another person (bullying).  There is also a very cranky character who seems to take joy in the misery of others and has to have total control.  Some characters are trapped in a burial vault for a short time.

The only instance of any sexual content is when one character mentions she discovered she was pregnant after her boyfriend left town.  It is a necessary part of the story, as there was some adoption/lost family involved.  This specific information is told in just the manner I just did (matter-of-fact, and in one sentence).

The mature themes are mild and include overcoming grief, trying to fit in at a new school (bullying, being embarrassed of a parent or old classmates, lying or stealing in order to ‘fit in’, etc.), and communicating with family and friends.  There is one character who is caught drunk. 

Here Lies Linc is recommended as a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 12+!

Powerless
by Matthew Cody

Publisher's Note:  Twelve-year-old Daniel, the new kid in town, soon learns the truth about his nice—but odd—new friends: one can fly, another can turn invisible, yet another controls electricity. Incredible. The superkids use their powers to secretly do good in the town, but they’re haunted by the fact that the moment they turn thirteen, their abilities will disappear—along with any memory that they ever had them. Is a memory-stealing supervillain sapping their powers?

The answers lie in a long-ago meteor strike, a World War II–era comic book (Fantastic Futures, starring the first superhero, Johnny Noble), the green-flamed Witch Fire, a hidden Shroud cave, and—possibly, unbelievably—“powerless” regular-kid Daniel himself.

Superhero kids meet comic book mystery in this action-filled debut about the true meaning of a hero.


Overall Review:  Refreshingly, Powerless is a superhero story about a truly ordinary hero.  In this solidly-crafted story, the reader follows twelve year-old Daniel, the new kid in town, as he discovers that some of the kids in Noble Green, Pennsylvania may have the powers of superheroes, but they are powerless to hold onto those abilities after their thirteenth birthday.  Distinct characters with believable dialogue move the story forward while quietly touching on the various ways people feel powerless.  Our current culture is awash with portrayals of superheroes in movies and literature, but Powerless takes a fresh angle on that storyline.   The plot takes unforeseen twists before being deftly wrapped-up by the author, who simultaneously sets the stage for future storyline possibilities.  This book reminds us that we are never truly powerless and that real heroes are defined by their choices.  Excellent!  Overall  Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars!


Content Review:

VIOLENCE:  a few mild instances

PROFANITY:  one mild

SEXUAL CONTENT:  none

MATURE THEMES:  none

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP:  9+

The violence consists of non-graphic fights and battles amongst superheroes usually involving throwing, pushing, collisions, and such.  Only one mild profanity was noted.  This is a Squeaky Clean Read for Ages 9+! 

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

Gregor and the Marks of Secret
(The Underland Chronicles #4)
by Suzanne Collins

Publisher's Note:  It's only a few months since Gregor and Boots returned from the Underland, leaving their mother behind to heal from the plague. Though Gregor's family receives frequent updates on her condition, they all know Gregor must return to fulfill his role as the warrior who is key to the Underlanders' survival. Accompanied by his now-talkative little sister Boots, still considered the honorary "princess," Gregor joins forces with another princess--12-year-old Luxa--and Ripred the rat to defend the Underlanders and the vulnerable "Nibblers," or mice, from the rat army.

Overall Review:  Gregor and the Marks of Secret doesn’t begin with the reciting of a prophecy—in fact, no one even imagines there is one!  Now that Gregor’s mother is stuck in the Underland recovering from the plague, it seems almost the entire family is down there at one time or another, but it’s very laid back and almost fun!  But, life doesn’t stay quiet for long for poor Gregor and his sister, Boots, and soon they find themselves racing for their lives instead of having a picnic!  The mice need help, but no one can find them!  While Gregor and the rest of his comrades search for them, they encounter earthquakes, avalanches, caverns full of active volcanoes, intense air currents, some very angry rats, and even a surprising encounter with some scorpions!

I enjoyed many of the parallels in this novel.  At times, I felt I was in the middle of Journey to the Center of the Earth with all the travels through Hades Hall and the Firelands.  And I must admit to seeing some similarities to WWII (The Hilter/Nazi regime and concentration camps, specifically), which was very interesting and thought provoking.  And with all the singing of the nursery rhymes, it makes you think about the ones that we grew up with (Ring Around The Rosies, for example) and what they truly mean!

The journey of discovery that is made by everyone is also very interesting.  Gregor, Luxa, and Howard learn some tough things along their way.  Discovering who you are isn’t always a pleasant experience.  The importance of stepping back to take a look at yourself through someone else's eyes and learning to trust your own instincts—or the instincts of others—becomes an eye-opening priority for our heroes.

I am constantly amazed at how Suzanne Collins can come up with such amazing stories.  You think you know where you’re headed, but then something new pops up and you’re on a completely different route!  It is fun and full of adventure—I can’t wait to see where the final chapter takes me!  Overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 Stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: One mild instance

VIOLENCE: Many mild to moderate instances throughout

SEXUAL CONTENT: NONE

MATURE THEMES: Mild to Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 14+

Gregor and the Marks of Secret is another installment that is free of any sexual content, and has only one word that could be construed as profanity, as well as a few crude references to the rear end of some fireflies. 

There is violence once again.  There is a very unbalanced character who kills another character and fights with many.  There is one incidence of cannibalism (a rat eats a rat).  The rats are always trying to kill others, especially one specific character.  Characters are attacked by snakes, and the battle that ensues is intense.  Marks are left by characters on walls or other surfaces that signify a death sentence.  A specific group is targeted and forced from their homes—they are killed en masse in two different instances: Once by pushing all of them off a cliff; another when they are all killed by poison gas inside a volcano crater.  A character dies from poison gas from the volcanoes. 

Mature themes would include fear, death, loss of loved ones, secrets, lies, genocide, and the ongoing battles (mostly Nature vs Man).   

Gregor and the Marks of Secret is recommended for ages 14+.