Book Review ~ The Battle of Darcy Lane ~ By Tara Altebrando

I was fortunate to receive a copy from the author for review, and am very excited to read this! Please enjoy this book trailer. :)

    5 Stars
       I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I finished this book in two days. I stayed up until 12:30 the first night reading it. The only reason that I went to sleep was because I had plans the next day.
      This book starts off with best friends Julie (Main character) and Taylor (best friend) looking forward to meeting the new girl on the street (Alyssa). But as time goes on, the both develop very different feelings towards this girl. While Julie realizes that there is no way that they will ever become friends and get along (made all the worse by Alyssa's cruelty towards her), Taylor takes almost immediately towards the girl. Taylor sticks to her like glue, completely excluding Julia, but not truly understanding what she is doing.
      Alyssa is an unpleasant character. She is sneaky, and mean, and just plain rude. She is an all around jerk. She insults people.... with jokes that can, on occasion be rather inappropriate. At least for middle schoolers like herself. On occasion she also used an impolite word or two. Thankfully I can't relate to having a friend like Alyssa. Alyssa brings with her a new kind of game, called Russia.
      Apparently this is a real game, and I was ecstatic (no joke) to find instructions for it in the back of the book.
      Julia makes it through, she meets a new friend and hangs out with the one other person who doesn't like Alyssa. This is Peter. Who also happens to be her crush. A huge part of the book is how she agreed to have a Russia competition against Alyssa.
      I wanted Julia to win, I needed her to win. I wanted to know so badly that when I was at that part, I actually skipped a paragraph ahead to find out what happened.
      This book was fantastic, and I would definitely recommend it. Because of Alyssa's character though, I would recommend it to older kids in this age group. It was a pleasant book, and as the author described it, it was 'a quiet book in an industry that is always looking for the loud ones.' That was not a direct quote. ;)          Anyways, it was very good, and I never truly find books like this.
      Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to play Russia.
Oh! Here's the link to a Q/A I found on Youtube!


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Review of Freckles ~ By Gene Stratton Porter

    

Rating: 5 Stars

      I loved this book. The characters were all incredibly likable, and I think Freckles has made my list of favorite fictional characters. It was a calm read, but the plot didn't slow and my attention was kept the entire time I was reading it. 

      Freckles (the character) made me laugh. A lot. I was laughing out loud for a good chunk of the book. Of course, other characters, not to mention scenes, were funny, but Freckles has the most. 

      The first time we meet the Swamp Angel, she annoyed me, and I didn't want her to be friends with Freckles. But then she grew on me, and became a very good character. I enjoyed her relationship with Freckles.

      The end of the book was a bit surprising to me, and made it all the better. After finishing it, I can't imagine it ending any other way. I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. to finish this book, when I had plans early the next day, not to mention studying to do. 

      I borrowed this book, and now I'll have to own it. I loved it, and it may even be my favorite classic. Either that or Wuthering Heights, which is funny since they are nothing like each other.

      I got tired of trying to read this book, due to the way the words were printed on the pages, so I listened to a lot of it on audio, using my computer. I believe that it was read by volunteers, so a few narrators I wasn't fond of. But I got used to it. The narrators did change almost every chapter. If you want to listen to it, because you absolutely can't stand to wait (Which I don't blame you for),here is the link. They are linked chapter by chapter. 

https://librivox.org/freckles-by-gene-stratton-porter/

Read it. You won't regret it.