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Siddhartha
by Herman Hesse (translated by Rika Lesser)

Publisher's Note:  One of the most widely read novels of the twentieth century, Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha explores the struggle of the soul to see beyond the illusions of humankind and achieve a deeper wisdom through spirituality. Born into wealth and privilege, Siddhartha renounces his place among India’s nobility to wander the countryside in search of meaning. He learns suffering and self-denial among a group of ascetics before meeting the Buddha and coming to realize that true peace cannot be taught: It must be experienced. Changing his path yet again, Siddhartha reenters human society and earns a great fortune. Yet over time this life leaves Siddhartha restless and empty. He achieves enlightenment only when he stops searching and surrenders to the oneness of all. 

Overall Review: Siddhartha, the son of a high-caste Brahmin priest, from an early age hopes to achieve total enlightenment—to be able to completely transcend his life. Deciding quickly that he cannot find the knowledge and happiness he desires among his people, he and his friend Govinda leave the Brahmins to become “shramanas”, ascetic holy men. Over the course of his life Siddhartha follows many paths and many teachers, until at last he discovers the one thing that will lead him to true peace. A fictional account inspired by (but not quite based on) the life of the man who became the Buddha, Siddhartha is a beautifully written tale of one man’s quest for spiritual joy. Like the river which brings Siddhartha to his final awakening, the book flows slowly and sweetly, rich with lovely language and profound insights. For those who are looking for a quiet, reflective read, Siddhartha is the perfect choice! Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Content Review: 

PROFANITY: Very mild

VIOLENCE: Very mild

SEXUAL CONTENT: Strong

MATURE THEMES: Mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 21+

There is extremely mild profanity, consisting of very mild oaths and exclamations.

Violence is also very mild; a character is bit by a poisonous snake and dies.

Although there are only a few scenes of sexual content in Siddhartha, there are a few parts that are fairly explicit and would not be suitable for young people. (Although the sexual act itself is not described, there are a few explicit passages describing arousal or longing.)

Mature themes are mild, and consist of seeking for spiritual knowledge, running away from home, and death.

Siddartha is recommended for ages 21+.

_This review was written by Cindy B.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Sterling for a review.

_ The Next Door Boys
by Jolene B. Perry  

Publisher's Note:  With her body still recovering from last year's cancer treatments, Leigh Tressman is determined to be independent. Despite the interference from her overprotective brother, the ever-expanding line of young men ready to fall in love with her--not to mention the physical frustrations and spiritual dilemmas Leigh discovers what it actually means to stand on her own and learns that love can be found in unexpected but comfortable places.

Overall Review:  The Next Door Boys by Jolene B. Perry portrays an independent character, Jane, entering college to find her way to freedom.  Situations lie around every bend, which make Jane more dependent on her brother and his roommate (aka the boys next door).  Readers will identify with Jane as she flies along the roller coaster ride of identity-struggle, as both reader and Jane feel the heartache of a girl trying to find herself.  The experiences are vivid while the diction provides words that carry a sting as well as a caress. As her life spirals out of control, Jane’s relationships go flying and she is forced to scramble for those relationships she wants to hang onto and those she is willing to let go.  The Next Door Boys provides a close-up of the courage necessary to untangle one’s own life.  Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars.  

  Content Review:

VIOLENCE:  None

PROFANITY:  None

SEXUAL CONTENT:  Mild

MATURE THEMES:  Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE:   16+

Sexual content is seen in descriptions of factors related to infertility. 

Mature themes include fatal illness, infertility, and war. 

The Next Door Boys is a Clean Read for ages 16+.

_This review was written by Meg.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Cedarfort 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.
 

Breathless
by Lurlene McDaniel

Publisher's Note:  What is the toughest request anyone can be asked to fulfill?  Travis Morrison is a champion diver and one of the most popular kids at school. On the first day of summer vacation, while boating on the lake with his friends, Travis attempts a silly stunt dive that goes wrong. He fears he has broken his leg. Instead, his trip to the hospital reveals he has a rare form of cancer, and to save him, the doctors tell his parents they must amputate. In an instant, Travis’s life and the lives of everyone around him are forever changed.   Travis is determined that he and only he should decide the course of his life. He has a plan, but he can’t carry it out alone. Will he convince one of his friends to fulfill his most important request?
Lurlene McDaniel tackles a controversial subject, probing the issues of personal choice and quality of life.


Overall Review   If you are in the mood for a light, fun, frivolous read, you might want to make a different book selection.  If you are ready for something meatier and a bit painful, Breathless by Lurlene Daniel will deliver.  The book clocks in with a mere 165 pages, but those pages are rich with difficult and mature themes and three-dimensional characters.  Alternating characters and written from four, unique, first person points of view, the story follows four high school students over a two year period.  The narrative never lags and the characters envelope you.  Also, Daniels accomplishes a rare feat in literature--a somewhat undefined ending with enough information that the reader is able to satisfactorily resolve and bring closure to the story, even if he or she doesn’t agree with it.  Saturated with tough topics, but miraculously escaping a hopeless tone, it is an outstanding book club choice written with style.  Breathless will haunt you long after you put it down.  Overall Rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars!


Content Review:

VIOLENCE: three mild instances

PROFANITY: none

SEXUAL CONTENT: a few mild and two moderate instances

MATURE THEMES: many

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP:  18+

Violence included the report of a character punching another student at school; two men slapping a woman and a character intervening by punching, pushing, and kicking until the men flee—description was brief; the report of the death of a character and a brief description of how it occurred.

No profanity was noted.  A crude comment about a character’s anatomy was made.

The overall tone of the sexual content was mild, brief in description, and not a point of focus in this book.  Content noted was a following:  two characters kiss; a character thinks about his girlfriend’s anatomy/attractiveness; implied sexual activity when two characters “heat up the sheets”; one character admits to having sex as an eighth grader; implied sex between two characters (no details provided); two characters lie “skin against skin” while talking; implied prostitution by one character.

Mature themes were plentiful and included the following:  moral right and wrong; situational ethics; physical and emotional child and spouse abuse; risk-taking; faith and belief in God; alcoholism; self-esteem; terminal illness and medical implications/consequences; family tension/responsibility/pressure; hope; euthanasia; suicide; foreknowledge.

Other content noted was a minor getting drunk and another character was an alcoholic.

Due to the mature themes in this book and implied sex by minors, this book is recommended as a Clean Read for readers 18+.

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

Memento Nora
by Angie Smibert

Publisher's Note:  In the future, it doesn't pay to remember.  In Nora's world you don't have to put up with nightmares. Nora goes with her mother to TFC--a Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic. There, she can describe her horrible memory and take the pill that will erase it. But at TFC, a chance encounter with a mysterious guy changes Nora's life. She doesn't take the pill. And when Nora learns the memory her mother has chosen to forget, she realizes that someone needs to remember. With newfound friends Micah and Winter, Nora makes a comic book of their memories called Memento. It's an instant hit, but it sets off a dangerous chain of events. Will Nora, Micah, and Winter be forced to take the Big Pill that will erase their memories forever?


Overall Review: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."  George Santayana's famous quote was always in the forefront of my mind as I read Angie Smibert's compelling, fast-paced dystopian novel, Memento Nora.  Set in a futuristic world where the citizens have chosen not to fight frequent terrorist attacks, but simply to forget them in the interest of continuing to live a "glossy," fear-free life, Memento Nora raises a lot of questions about the importance of holding on to even our painful memories. I wasn't sure what to expect going into Memento Nora, especially since dystopian thrillers are a dime-a-dozen right now.  What I got was much better than I could have anticipated!  Memento Nora has great pacing, well-developed characters, an intriguing plotline, and a chilling ending that makes me glad that Smibert is working on a sequel.  In a genre that is full of the same old conventions, Memento Nora feels refreshingly original.  Highly recommended!  Overall Review is 4 out of 5 stars.


Content Review:

PROFANITY: Moderate, a few strong

VIOLENCE: Moderate

SEXUAL CONTENT: Mild

MATURE THEMES: Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 16+

There is moderate profanity (high school slang and "Biblical" epithets) throughout the book, and a few strong instances (no f-words) throughout the book as well.  There is moderate violence, mostly consisting of explosions, bullying, and implied domestic violence.  Nothing graphic or gratuitous.  There is mild sexual content—a boy and a girl kiss briefly; there is a briefly mentioned homosexual relationship, and we know from another girl's thoughts that she is lesbian as well (no detail is ever given, but she does mention that one woman is "not her type" and has a crush on a "curvy" woman).  Mature themes are moderate throughout the book and consist of greed and corruption, domestic violence, dystopian societies, and the importance of learning from the past.  

Momento Nora is recommended for ages 16+.

This review was written by Cindy B.
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Marshall Cavendish for a review

American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yang

Publisher's Note:  Jin Wang starts at a new school where he’s the only Chinese-American student. When a boy from Taiwan joins his class, Jin doesn’t want to be associated with an FOB like him. Jin just wants to be an all-American boy, because he’s in love with an all-American girl. Danny is an all-American boy: great at basketball, popular with the girls. But his obnoxious Chinese cousin Chin-Kee’s annual visit is such a disaster that it ruins Danny’s reputation at school, leaving him with no choice but to transfer somewhere he can start all over again. The Monkey King has lived for thousands of years and mastered the arts of kung fu and the heavenly disciplines. He’s ready to join the ranks of the immortal gods in heaven. But there’s no place in heaven for a monkey. Each of these characters cannot help himself alone, but how can they possibly help each other? They’re going to have to find a way—if they want fix the disasters their lives have become.


Overall Review:  "It's easy to become anything you wish...so long as you're willing to forfeit your soul."  Do you turn away and despise who you know you are, or do you embrace yourself and what you stand for?

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang explores family, culture, and society through the experiences of three distinct characters: the monkey King, a Chinese-American boy Jin, and an All-American teenager, Danny.  Yang offers us an original tale that triumphantly explores the struggle of succumbing to the pressure of being accepted, and forgetting who we really are.  As these three seemingly unrelated stories suddenly converge, we learn that although we face trials, we must recognize that we have all been intentionally created for a purpose, and that this knowledge will lead us to find our own personal destiny and give us the power to overcome whatever stands in our way. 

American Born Chinese is highly recommended for parents, teenagers, and book clubs, and offers a fantastic jumping-off point for discussion into the value of a person, and how being who you are meant to be can be freeing (sometimes literally, as with the monkey king!)  Don't discount the graphic art of the book...in fact, the symbolism offered by the pictures is what drives home the meaning behind the story.  In the end, the merging stories will make you question everything you just read, will push you to put the pieces together and figure it out, and even lead you to take a long, hard look in the mirror and consider yourself carefully.  Told in a clear, fresh voice, American Born Chinese shines as an encouraging, witty, and memorable story of being true to yourself, no matter what others expect you to be.  Overall Rating is 5 out of 5 stars! 


Content Review:

PROFANITY:  One dozen instances of coarse langauge

VIOLENCE:  Few very mild instances and 2 instances of mild violence  

SEXUAL CONTENT:  Three mild instances and one moderate instance

MATURE THEMES: Mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 16+

The profanity in this books consists of a dozen instances of mild coarse language, including a few racial names, a few very mild profanities, and a few instances of general name-calling.

Violence was all very mild or mild and brief.  The very mild instances included a bully threatening a kid, and a girl who punches a boy for stealing a quick kiss, and a boy who punches another boy for calling him a name, a character is slapped, and two boys get in a brief fist fight.  Mild violence included 2 instances of characters being stabbed through with a spear, a picture of a monkey with his head cut off,  multiple pictures of a character in fights with others, and an instance/picture where a character relieves himself on a pillar.

Sexual content included three mild instances and one moderate instance. Mild instances included a joke about the female chest, an instance in which we know that a character has urinated in another kid's soda, and a brief thought about a girl taking off her clothes.  The moderate instance was a non-descriptive innuendo where a boy invites a girl to participate in a sexual act.

Mature Themes include a scene where a boy is smoking, judging others for being different, self-worth,
discovering who you are, and accepting yourself even when others do not. There is also a very uplifting, underlying theme surrounding our divine worth as individuals.

American Born Chinese is recommended for ages 16+.

This review was written by Melissa
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Square Fish for a review

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+.

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
(The Underland Chronicles #3)
by Suzanne Collins

Publisher's Note:  Book Two left off with Gregor reading the Prophecy of Blood: a prophecy that calls for Gregor and Boots to return to the Underland to help ward off a deadly plague. But this time, Gregor’s mother refuses to let him return to the Underland . . . until the rat Ripred assures the family that Gregor and Boots are just needed for a short meeting, which the crawlers will attend only if their “princess” Boots is present. Gregor’s mom finally relents, on the condition that she go with them. The Underland plague is spreading, and when one of Gregor’s family is stricken, he begins to understand his role in the Prophecy of Blood, and must summon all his power to end the biological warfare that threatens the warmbloodedcreatures of the Underland. Fans of Suzanne Collins’s acclaimed fantasy series will find more suspense and action than ever in this thrilling third saga.

Overall Review:  If I were pulled into an Underland with my kids, would I treat them like little kids even though they were considered warriors?  I think I would!  And I LOVED watching Gregor’s reaction to having his mom along—and she delivers the protective mom lines just as she should!  From telling Gregor off for being gone to the bathroom too long, to telling everyone how they have to travel with a plastic bag because Gregor gets carsick—it was definitely a young person’s nightmare!  It’s always more difficult to act the part of warrior, protector, caregiver, when your parents are present!

In Gergor and the Curse of the Warmbloods, we follow our heroes through the jungle!  The characters continue to charm even in a tropical climate!  Boots is still one of my favorites.  I love her sweet little toddler-isms!  Gregor is still the innocent young boy thrown into something that he needs to grow into.  There are more rats to get to know this time around, and it’s always interesting as they work with the rest of the Underlanders and you get small visions of all that they’ve been through.  Maybe they’re not the evil mortal enemies they appear to be afterall??  The characters are so real!  We feel with them the frustration of defeat; just when you think you’ve finally reached your goal and it is snatched from right under your nose!  There were twists that I was definitely not expecting, and it’s a good thing all the books are out now, so you don’t have to be as overly concerned at the cliffhanger endings!

In this installment, I have a few bones to pick—there were way too many things left undone.  There was a lovely scene where Gregor takes it upon himself to groom one of the rats.  This may sound lame and weird, but it was so sweet and innocent and even powerful in its seriousness.  I loved it, and was sad when nothing else was made of it.  It didn’t seem to help things along the way.  Perhaps in the next book?  Also, why is nothing more mentioned of Hamnet’s life after Regalia?  I kept waiting for a mother to appear.  I’m hoping these things are referenced again in later books, so I may just have to wait.  And my last big issue—the end is very abrupt.  I suppose all of this just means it’s time for me to go on and read some more!  Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: One mild instance

VIOLENCE:  Some Mild to moderate instances throughout

SEXUAL CONTENT: NONE

MATURE THEMES: Mild to Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 14+

In following with the rest of the series, there is no sexual content at all, and only one minor word is used that could be considered profanity.

This installment of the series includes a virulent plague that causes a great deal of death.  It also has very disturbing symptoms: Large bumps on the body that burst, inability to breathe, weakness, etc.  A bat with the plague crashes to the ground and dies.  In the jungle, many of the plants are very dangerous.  A character is eaten by a vicious plant.  Many ants are killed by plants.  The ants also attack the characters; two of the characters die, the rest are severely injured.  Characters fight and kill many creatures.  Poisonous frogs kill some creatures.  A character kills one of the frogs with the sword.  A character is executed.  

The themes include a lot of fear, death, and overcoming overwhelming odds to save those you love.  

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods is recommended for ages 14+.

Step Into Reading
Reading On Your Own:  Step 3


Publisher's Note:  Step 3 (Reading on Your Own) is for children who are ready to read independently. Step 3 titles have stories with easy-to-follow plots and engaging characters.  Is your child tackling new words?  Does your child like to read on his or her own?  It's time for Step 3. 


Overall Review:  These Step 3 readers are perfect for young, independent readers as well as older readers who need some independent practice.  These original stories are perfectly written for children--in age-appropriateness, vocabulary choice, and overall storyline.  Although they are centered around high-frequency words, the stories gently push readers into more difficult vocabulary.  The stories also have a very polished, mature feel, which older readers who need positive reading experiences will appreciate.  Parents and teachers often search to find interesting books that appeal to emerging readers (as most books for ages 4-8 are either over-simplified or are too mature in content), and can depend on Step 3 Readers to be a great fit for their children.   

In addition, Step 3 Readers offer children a great transition from sight-word based books to real chapter books.  Each book is around 40 pages, which gives them a chapter-book feel, but keeps the stories short enough that children can both comprehend what they are reading and finish the story in a single sitting. 

Wonderful additions to personal or school libraries, these unique titles are both entertaining and educational.  On a side note, if you ever find yourself trying to find a great teacher appreciation gift, the books in this series would make any teacher smile and would be a valuable classroom resource.   

Step 3: Reading On Your Own Readers are recommended for all ages.  Use these titles as read-alouds for very young children, for readers who have mastered 1st-2nd grade sight words and are ready to transition to chapter books, and also for older readers in 3-5 grade who need reading support but don't want to read "little kid" books.  
Overall Rating for this series is 5 out of 5 stars!

Little Lucy
Step Into Reading: Step 3

Publisher's Note:  Learn to read with Ilene Cooper's adorable beagle puppy, Lucy!  Lucy likes to run. She likes to bark. She likes to chew and howl. But when Bobby and his family take her to a lake, she finds out there's one thing she doesn't like—the water!

Sleeping Bootsie
Step Into Reading: Step 3

Publisher's Note:  Scat! Scram! Stay out! That's all Bootsie the stray cat hears when she tries to find a place she can call home. But then she meets Meg, a laundry maid at the nearby castle, who knows that a pet is exactly what the royal family needs. Everyone agrees, except one spiteful fairy. Bootsie falls under her spell and into a deep, deep sleep. Will Meg figure out how to break the magical spell? The engaging characters and easy-to-follow plot makes this furry fairy tale just right for children who are starting to read on their own.

Check Out More Fantastic Step 3 Readers!
Click on a cover for more details

This review was written by Melissa
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Random House Books for Young Readersfor a review

The Trouble With Being A Horse
by Emily Edwards

Publisher's Note:  The main character, Olivia, is an eleven-year-old girl who loves horses and finds her greatest happiness with them. The rest of her life is not so great: her family mostly ignores her and don't really understand her, and she's a bit of a social outcast. She feels unhappy a lot of the time, as many young girls can feel, and in a low moment of unhappiness she unwittingly wishes to become a horse, as she thinks this will solve a lot of her problems. Olivia is shocked, to say the least, when she is actually turned into a horse. Thrust into the unprecedented situation of being a girl in a horse's body, Olivia is unsure of what to do. She feels strongly that she should keep her unusual state a secret, and joins a group of wild ponies, but is forced to seek help after sustaining a bear attack. Luckily, she winds up at a good stable, and meets Jenny, the daughter of the man who runs the centre, and together they form an unbeatable team in the show ring. But when Olivia can't resist showing off how much she knows, she puts her secret and friendship with Jenny in jeopardy. Olivia must decide whether she wants to remain as a horse or return to her life as an ordinary girl, and in the process is taken on a journey of self-discovery. 

 
Overall Review:  The Trouble With Being a Horse is a cute story, especially for young readers who love horses and anything to do with them.  Olivia loves horses and being with them, but feels out of place everywhere else.  She wishes to be a horse to escape her troubles, and is shocked to wake up and find her wish granted.  The main character Olivia's feelings of not belonging, being misunderstood by her family, and uncertainties with friends will certainly strike a chord with girls at the preteen age. Edwards' story flows along a fairly familiar path, hearkening back to the classic tale of Black Beauty with it's exploration of good masters, bad masters, and even a barn fire--though the horse having a human viewpoint adds a new flavor.  The tale is told mainly through the eyes of Olivia but it does switch to other characters at points, and the jumps between are a little confusing.  Also the issues of the missing girl Olivia, and then the subsequent missing horse "Princess" are a bit glossed over, but that may be appropriate for the target age group.  Overall, a pleasant and light read.  Overall Rating is 3.5 out of 5 stars.
 

Content Review:
 
VIOLENC: Two mild instances
 
PROFANITY: Several mild instances
 
SEXUAL CONTENT: None
 
MATURE THEMES: None
 
RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+
 
The Trouble With Being a Horse was a clean read.  The instances of violence involved one character being wounded by an uncontrollable horse, and the aforementioned barn fire in which a character was unconscious and taken in an ambulance, though with little injury.  There was little detail of injuries and the focus continued to be on the story.  The instances of profanity were solely the taking of the Lord's name in vain, which happened several times.  There was no sexual content whatesoever, and mature theme of the drama of a missing child were so glossed over that it was nonexistent.   The Trouble With Being a Horse book is a clean read for ages 9+.

This review was written by Kristen
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by The Cadence Group for a review