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+.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane 
(The Underland Chronicles #2)
by Suzanne Collins

Publisher's Note:  In the months since Gregor first encountered the strange Underland beneath New York City, he’s sworn he won’t ever go back. But when another prophecy, this time about an ominous white rat known as the Bane, calls for Gregor’s help, the Underlanders know the only way they can get his attention is through his little sister, Boots. Now Gregor’s quest reunites him with his bat, Ares, the rebellious princess Luxa, and new allies and sends them through the dangerous and deadly Waterway in search of the Bane. Then Gregor must face the possibility of his greatest loss yet, and make life and death choices that will determine the future of the Underland.
Suzanne Collins has created characters and a world that are capturing countless imaginations. This second installment of the Underland Chronicles is sure to win her even more enthusiastic fans.

Overall Review:  Get ready for more intense fun as we follow Gregor and Boots on another incredible adventure!  At the end of the first book, another prophecy is mentioned, but only just.  (The prophecies are riddles in poetry form that the characters have to decipher and follow.)  Now, with the entryway into the Underland glued and bolted shut, Gregor feels safe from the wiles of the Underlanders.  Unfortunately for him, however, there are a few more entrances than just the grate in the laundry room wall!  In order to fulfill the next prophecy, The Prophecy of Bane, he and Boots are once more thrust into the world of darkness, tunnels, waterways and giant talking creepy-crawlies!  This time around, they spend a lot of time in the water (sometimes there is the feeling of Voyage of the Dawn Treader or Jason and the Argonauts) and then in the dark Labyrinth of the world of the rats—in search of The Bane!

Once again, I loved the character development.  We see more of Ares, the bat, and what a personality he has!  I also became more attached to the friendly warrior, Mareth , Luxa the future queen, and  Howard, a new character who happens to be Luxa’s cousin.  All who went on the journey to ‘fulfill’ the prophecy went because they cared.  Well, all but the ‘shiners’, but they definitely added some color to their travels!

I think above all the action and adventure of the plot, the thing that I am really loving about this series is the depth of humanity.  There is such a sense of loyalty and responsibility that pervades the lives of the characters!  Gregor, for instance: How many 11 year old boys would find opportunities to work to earn money—then use it to buy food for his family and diapers for his little sister?  And when he goes after Boots (who is kidnapped), how many young boys would think to call home to let them know where he’s going?  Gregor even begs Ares to rescue Boots first—no matter what—even though Ares has sworn to protect Gregor at all costs.  These are just a few examples.  Over and over again, throughout the pages of this book, love and loyalty and caring shine through.  It even comes through as humor, when Temp (a giant cockroach and best friend of Boots) permits Boots to dress him up with doll clothes!  He definitely didn’t enjoy it, and it’s slightly odd to think that a huge cockroach is cute, but how could I not love the little guy for letting a little lost and frightened girl play dressup?

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane is another fast paced ride through the wilds of Underland, and a great addition to a fun series!  Overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: Two mild instances

VIOLENCE: Mild to Moderate instances throughout

SEXUAL CONTENT: NONE

MATURE THEMES: Mild to Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 14+

In keeping with the first of this series, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane has no sexual content whatsoever. 

There are two mild exclamations of profanity this time around.  And there are two references to the glowing end of a firefly which could be considered crude. 

Above all, there is violence.  There is a short scene of warrior training that includes sword play and some gymnastics.  A character explains briefly the best places in which to kill a rat.  There is a fight against a giant squid that is a little intense.  A character has a brief and disturbing nightmare involving fish with large teeth.  The characters encounter a whirlpool—a craft is destroyed and some characters are almost lost.  A character discovers an ability to fight that is hard to control.  Some very creepy bugs eat a character (it was quick and disturbing).  Some dinosaur-esque serpents attack the characters and most are injured.  Some rats get into a fight—they end up killing each other and it’s a little gory.  The characters are forced to eat raw fish after their supplies are destroyed. 

The main themes are all about accountability, responsibility and dealing with the results of our choices.  There is also the moderate fear factor of facing the unknown along with grief over the loss of loved ones and friends. 

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane is recommended for ages 14+.

Gregor the Overlander
(The Underland Chronicles #1)
by Suzanne Collins

Publisher's Note:  When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats—but the fragile peace is about to fall apart.

Gregor wants no part of a conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy foretells a role for him in the Underland's uncertain future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him and the Underland forever.

Rich in suspense and brimming with adventure, Suzanne Collin's debut marked a thrilling new talent, and introduced a character no young reader will ever forget.

Overall Review:  Gregor the Overlander is told in true Suzanne Collins style (author of The Hunger Games): ‘Regular’ creatures made larger than life, overwhelming odds, strange companionships that just seem to work, and high adventure…all while fighting for your life!  Here is a world where life-sized bats, cockroaches and spiders are your friends and allies; and the rats, well, in the simple words of the cockroaches...excuse me, crawlers..."Rats Bad"!  Life is all played out in huge caverns far underground: The Underland!  Even with all the adventure and intensity, there is a wonderful humorous edge throughout that I loved.  Gregor’s little sister, Boots, is a special 2 year old treat!  That sweet, innocent little toddler stole every heart she met—including mine!  I loved her rapport with her cockroach friends—so cute!  And when her screaming tantrum helps them escape a tight situation?  Priceless!  Gregor the Overlander is not just another generic fantasy series.  There is depth to the story: the characters are well developed and true to life, and there are some great twists that keep everything moving—and keep you wondering how they’ll manage.  I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series!  Overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: NONE

VIOLENCE: Many mild instances and a few moderate instances throughout

SEXUAL CONTENT: NONE

MATURE THEMES: Mild to moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 14+

While there is no profanity or sex at all in this book, there is quite a bit of violence.  There is a skirmish where rats attack—a character is knocked out, some are bitten, the two rats are killed by the sword.  A war breaks out and many characters die.  Usually, it’s told matter-of-factly (‘so-and-so is dead’), but once in awhile a small amount of blood is involved.  Spiders eat other insects/spiders and it’s a little gross.  Some characters escape a spider web and it’s a little scary.  A character is crushed by a rat.  A group of rats are running across a bridge, the bridge falls, and they land in water full of piranhas.  A character is killed by a rat’s tail.  Many rats (and a character) fall down into a pit and die.  A character discovers that they are a 'rager', meaning that they are a natural born warrior.  The violence is necessary to the plot, and is actually well done (and for those wondering, there is less violence than in The Hunger Games, as this series is aimed toward a younger age group).  It never became overly grotesque and is fairly tame. 

Some of the more moderate themes are dealing with the loss of a parent or family member, and facing scary enemies and death; some of the mild themes are making hard decisions and facing your fears. 

While the violence is fairly mild, due to the sheer amount of it, this is recommended for ages 14+.

Count Down to Love
by Julie N. Ford

Publisher's Note:  Kelly Grace Pickens is an excited bride - until she's abandoned at the altar. Desperate, she accepts an offer to appear on a reality TV show, Count Down to Love. Her country ways are a stark contrast to the mysterious bachelor from New York. Wading through hurt and betrayal both on and off screen, Kelly discovers that being true to yourself is essential to finding happiness and love.

Overall Rating:  If you are a fan of the reality TV show ‘The Bachelor’, you will love this book!  The antics of the girls are hilarious—petty and shallow, yet endearing all the same.  It is a very contemporary book, with lots of ‘girl talk’ and the sometimes vindictive games they play to get their man. 

Kelly is very different than all the other girls on the show 'Count Down to Love'--she is a last minute addition when her cousin (a producer of the show) receives a last-minute cancellation.  I loved her southern drawl and manners; her character as a whole has a very innocent charm that is different and refreshing when it comes to the reality TV scene!  I enjoyed watching all the changes in Kelly as she goes from a battered, lonely, left-behind-at-the-altar, self-pitying girl, to a woman who enjoys who she is and is willing to take risks and work toward her own dreams. 

Most of this book is aimed toward watching Kelly take a step back to find herself and realize what her own dreams are, and because of that, some die-hard fans of the reality TV shows may feel slightly disappointed not to have more information about the show itself.  However, I liked the balance between character development and just plain fun.  And while, yes, there were times when the talk was cheap and the antics shallow and calculated, I have to admit, it was all extremely entertaining!  The ending wasn’t quite what I had expected, but I liked that it was honest and open!  Well done, Julie Ford!  Count Down to Love is a lighthearted recreational read that will make you laugh, sigh, roll your eyes, and perhaps even shed a tear or two!  Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY:  A few mild instances

VIOLENCE: A few very mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT: Mild to moderate throughout

MATURE THEMES: Moderate

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP:  16+

There were a few religious exclamations (10), as well as some crude references by some characters.  The violence is very mild, including one scene where a character slaps another character, and a few scenes where some characters are very angry and shout a lot.  There was quite a bit of mild sexual content--this is, after all, created after a reality TV show and is a romance to boot.  This included clothing issues (padded bras, cleavage, plunging necklines, very short skirts, talk of ‘showing more skin’ and wearing tighter clothes, etc.), LOTS of kissing (as well as talking about kissing), and many relationship discussions (who did what with whom).  The dating show itself is ‘group dates’ with one guy and multiple women—and he kisses them all.  Two characters sleep in the same bed (nothing happens).  There is one point where the door closes behind two characters for the night (part of the show is the end where two women will spend the night with the man as part of the choosing process); what happens after is left to the imagination.  Mature themes would include some moderate themes such as being left at the altar (dealing with that sort of loss and hurt), dating, physical relationships, deception, playing ‘games’ to get your own way; and some more mild themes such as selfishness, snobbery, superficial actions, and discovering who you are.  Count Down to Love is recommended for ages 16+.

James and the Giant Peach
by Roald Dahl

Publisher's Note:  When James Henry Trotter accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree, strange things start to happen. The peach at the top of the tree begins to grow, and before long it's as big as a house. Then James discovers a secret entranceway into the fruit, and when he crawls inside, he meets a bunch of marvelous oversized friends—Old-Green-Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybug, Miss Spider, and more.

After years of feeling like an outsider in the house of his despicable Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, James has finally found a place where he belongs. With a snip of the stem, the peach starts rolling away, and the exciting adventure begins!


Overall Review:  I’m sure I’ve said this before, but no one can tell a kids’ story like Roald Dahl.  Where did he come up with these ideas?  James is such a sad little boy and you feel so sorry for him.  Then comes that magical moment when he drops the bag full of magical something-or-others and from then on, there’s nothing more to feel sorry about!  All of the giant insects have such individual personalities; some are grouchy, some are peppy, some are just plain crazy!  The adventures they have are so imaginative and fun for children (of all ages!) such as floating away on a giant peach carried by hundreds of seagulls, dodging angry cloud people, smashing into newly painted rainbows, and being speared by the Empire State Building!  Where will they end up?  This journey is one in a million!  Overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: A few mild instances

VIOLENCE: A few mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT: None

MATURE THEMES: Mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+

Roald Dahl is really for all ages.  There were a few words I had to skip over when I read this aloud to my children, as one character throws in a few ‘colorful metaphors’ once in awhile.  As far as violence, they are attacked by sharks (no one dies) and cloud people.  Two characters die—they’re crushed.  A character tells of family members being killed.  As far as themes go, there is dealing with sadness and loss, dealing with harsh living conditions and circumstances, and overcoming those to be better.  James and the Giant Peach is a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 9+.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney

Publisher's Note:  Greg records his sixth grade experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, undersized weaklings amid boys who need to shave twice daily, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular, Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship.

Overall Review:  In Diary of a Wimpy Kid we find a classic and fantastically funny example of the foibles, follies and funnies of middle school!  We’re taken on a tour de force of all the most embarrassing, frustrating, irritating and (most of all) hilarious happenings of childhood: Christmas disappointments, embarrassing school plays, hiding video games, planning out the all-important trick-or-treating route, geeky friends, bullies, wrestling units, tattling brothers, trouble with parents, substitute teachers (yikes!), trying to make the ‘Class Favorites’ page of the yearbook, and all the other random antics inbetween!  The diary/comic strip style of writing makes the reading easy and accessible—and even funnier than it would be otherwise!  Greg, our ‘hero’, lays out his cockeyed sense of what life is all about in a dry, no nonsense style that will keep you in stitches!  There are no great literary moments or fascinating character developments; instead, you’ll find yourself chuckling as you reminisce about your own days in middle school…or perhaps you’ll find a kindred spirit who knows just what you’re going through!   Hilarious and true to life, Diary of a Wimpy Kid reminds us of many important things, but first and foremost is this: Don’t touch The Cheese!  Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: One mild instance

VIOLENCE: A few very mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT: NONE

MATURE THEMES: Mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+

There is only one word in this novel that could be construed as profanity.  Other than that, there are a few crude references and some ‘little boy’ humor.  There is no sexual content (although, there is one part where reference is made to a magazine owned by an older brother).  The violence consists of pushing people over in the hallways and throwing things at people.  Some of the characters write comic strips that get a little violent—such as stepping in acid puddles, moms slipping and dying (because they stepped on a crack), heads being chopped off, etc.  The themes are mostly about life in middle school, which include lying to get your way or get out of trouble, and the meaning of friendship/popularity.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 9+.

See content reviews for similar titles:

The Misadventures of Phillip Isaac Penn
by Donna L. Peterson

Publisher's Note:  Everybody calls Phillip Isaac Penn, Pip. And usually they yell it at the top of their lungs. Sure he might forget to close the classroom mice's cage door, or leave his mother's hair dryer in bathtub (hey, it's unplugged), and he might even make it so that Liar Lizzy gets caught, but that doesn't make him bad. It's just not easy being a kid.


Overall Review:  Have you ever wondered why there's always that one kid that gets into so much trouble? I know I sure have and Pip will tell you all about it in The Misadventures of Phillip Isaac Penn by Donna L. Peterson. Each chapter is a story in it's own as Pip (aka Phillip Isaac Penn) goes about his daily routine, somehow managing to always get into trouble. Pip is so sick of hearing his own name, especially when people yell it. You'll step into a week of his life and understand why he gets into so much trouble. He's the one that gets bullied around and somehow he winds up getting the detention. His mom, dad and even sister are always telling him what he can and can't do and don't even take time to listen to him. Every day has a new adventure, I mean how was Pip supposed to know not to put the blow dryer in the bathtub to get the glue off, “it's unplugged... knowing that would make mom a lot happier. It's not easy being a kid.” Pip even tries to take matters into his own hands once when the teacher doesn't believe that the new kid stole his shiny silver dollar. I had such a good laugh and couldn't help reading pieces out loud to my family. This book is definitely recommended to any child and will quickly become a favorite to read out loud.  Overall rating 5 out of 5 stars!


Content Review:

VIOLENCE: None

PROFANITY: None

SEXUAL CONTENT: None

MATURE THEME: None

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+

For the content found in The Misadventures of PIP, there are times when he thinks about tripping another character. Pip does seem to argue but he quickly understands that arguing will only get him in more trouble. Characters bully Pip a couple times at school, there is always a resolution though. Kids that are well-behaved will understand a little better why those that misbehave do so. Those kids that misbehave may be able to relate with Pip. All in all there really are no issues with content in this book, you and your children will get a good kick out this read. The Misadventure of Phillip Isaac Penn is a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 9+.

This review was written by Misty
A Squeaky Clean Reads Book Reviewer
This book was sent to Squeaky Clean Reads by Cedar Fort Inc. for a review

How to Eat Fried Worms
by Thomas Rockwell

Publisher's Note:   Billy could not resist the bet. Now all that stands between him and $50 are 15 soon-to-be fried worms. To snag the loot (and in turn a shiny new mini-bike), he must munch, chew, and swallow these creepy night crawlers within 15 days. Thomas Rockwell's How to Eat Fried Worms has been attracting and repulsing young readers ever since it was first published in 1973.

Overall Rating:  What little boy could find fault with a book about winning a bet by eating worms?  How to Eat Fried Worms is full of all kinds of hilarious (and super gross!) antics with boys being boys!  Billy thinks he can eat those 15 worms in 15 days and win $50!  Will he be able to do it?  The boys become very imaginative in so many ways!  They team up—two on two—one side coming up with magnificent ways to prepare the worms so they’re more edible: boiled or fried and topped with ketchup, mustard, horseradish, cheese, salt, pepper, etc.  Even Billy’s mom joins the menu fun and comes up with some very creative wormy recipes that almost sound enticing!  The other team comes up with very creative ways to try to make Billy give up!  From pretending they’re poisonous, to gluing two worms together, to distracting Billy with a day of fun and food, to even making a worm out of cooked beans, they just don’t give up!  At one point Billy has to eat a worm alive and wriggling and I could almost feel that thing squirm with every chew!!  Ewwww!  Full of fun and silliness, fights and stress, and creative food for little boys (or little boys at heart) everywhere!  And after all that drama we wonder: What do worms taste like?  Overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars!

Content Rating:

PROFANITY:  A few mild instances

VIOLENCE: A few mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT: None

MATURE THEMES: Mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+

Eating worms is just gross!  There are some pretty yucky descriptions as Billy is eating.  There were only one or two exclamations, but most of the ‘profanity’ is the use of the word ‘Geez’ over and over and some name calling.  The boys get angry at each other and there is some fist fighting.  They also often fight with words and yell at each other for cheating (or discovering the cheating).  Some of the themes would include cheating vs honesty, gambling or making bets, friendship, and just the grossness factor of eating worms—whether raw or fried or smothered in sour cream!  How to Eat Fried Worms is a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 9+.

Ella Enchanted
by Gail Carson Levine

Publisher's Note:  At birth, Ella is inadvertently cursed by an imprudent fairy named Lucinda, who bestows on her the "gift" of obedience. Anything anyone tells her to do, Ella must obey. Another girl might have been cowed by this affliction, but not feisty Ella: "Instead of making me docile, Lucinda's curse made a rebel of me. Or perhaps I was that way naturally." When her beloved mother dies, leaving her in the care of a mostly absent and avaricious father, and later, a loathsome stepmother and two treacherous stepsisters, Ella's life and well-being seem in grave peril. But her intelligence and saucy nature keep her in good stead as she sets out on a quest for freedom and self-discovery, trying to track down Lucinda to undo the curse, fending off ogres, befriending elves, and falling in love with a prince along the way. Yes, there is a pumpkin coach, a glass slipper, and a happily ever after, but this is the most remarkable, delightful, and profound version of Cinderella you've ever read.

Gail Carson Levine's examination of traditional female roles in fairy tales takes some satisfying twists and deviations from the original. Ella is bound by obedience against her will, and takes matters in her own hands with ambition and verve. Her relationship with the prince is balanced and based on humor and mutual respect; in fact, it is she who ultimately rescues him. Ella Enchanted has won many well-deserved awards, including a Newbery Honor.

Overall Review:  Ella Enchanted is one of my favorite fairy tale retellings of all time.  It’s a perfect fantasy: A ‘damsel in distress’, a prince, an indifferent parent, fairies (including a fairy godmother!), man-eating ogres, future-telling gnomes, fun-loving giants, talented elves, an evil step-mother (of course!!), evil and greedy stepsisters… Put all those characters together and add some spur of the moment travels, finishing school, a few balls, and, above all, a curse, and you have a recipe for something unforgettable!

The writing for this novel is accessible to any age.  From young children to adults, everyone can find something to love.  The characters are individuals with such sparkle!  Ella’s gift with languages is uncanny and so much fun as she converses with the different species she meets along her way to find the fairy Lucinda and, hopefully, break her curse!  The stepsisters are not just nasty—they have personality, even if those personalities are cunning and evil…and a bit daft.  There are wonderful moments of humor—as Ella tries to find new ways to thwart the commands she is given, but especially when a wig is stolen!  The relationship between Ella and Prince Char is so sweet—from her desire to make him laugh, to the exchanging of letters while he is away in Ayortha, to their final encounter, it’s enough to make you sigh with pleasure.  Ella Enchanted is a timeless Gem!  Overall rating is 5 out of 5 stars!

Content Review:

PROFANITY: NONE

VIOLENCE: A few mild instances

SEXUAL CONTENT: NONE

MATURE THEMES: Mild

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP: 9+

There is no profanity or sexual content (there is a strain of romance throughout, and two characters kiss, but it is very sweet).  The violence centers around the ogres, mostly.  They eat living creatures.  A horse is eaten.  A character is caught by ogres and they talk about which parts they’re going to eat (the character is not eaten).  Ogres chase down a carriage so they can eat the people inside (again, they’re not eaten).  Ogres try to eat a human and a gnome.  One character dies because of illness.  A character always thinks of the worst things that could happen because of a curse (many of them involve death and sadness).  Some characters are very cruel to another character (making them become a servant and forcing them to work extremely hard).  A few of the themes are overcoming curses (obstacles/difficulties), loss of loved ones, and dealing with difficult people/life situations.  I read this book aloud to my children and they loved every minute!  Ella Enchanted is a Squeaky Clean Read for ages 9+!