My March Book Haul, Wrap-Up, and April TBR (2018)

Hello, bookish friends!!! 

I'm sure you've heard this way too many times this year already, but it must be said again - time is going by too, too fast! It's already April, and where I live, it is still snowing and doesn't look like it is going to stop snowing for at least another week or so! I am very fond of winter and snow. However. If I'm starting to complain about it too, then we are all in trouble, lol! We were supposed to start clearing out our backyard and preparing our spots for different gardens this week *throws hands up in the air in a dramatic way*

Another thing to prove that the year is moving along to fast for me to keep up - how much my to-be-read pile has grown! I need an extra 6 to 12 hours to my days in order to catch up, lol! Oh well, at least they all look so pretty on my shelves, right???

Now - let's talk about all THE books I have received, read and plan to read for March and April!!!

I am participating in Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews :)

*My MARCH Book Haul

*REVIEW BOOKS:
- THE UNBINDING OF MARY READE by Miriam McNamara (YA/ARC) from Sky Pony Press 
- THIEF OF HAPPY ENDINGS by Kristen Chandler (YA/eARC) from Penguin via Flutter Communications 
- BRIGHTWOOD by Tania Unsworth (MG/PB) from Algonquin Young Readers 
- BE PREPARED by Vera Brosgol (MG/PB) from First Second (Macmillan) 
- THE BACKUP BUNNY by Abigail Rayner (C/HB) from Nicole Banholzer LLC via North South Books 
- PETRA by Marianna Coppo (C/HB) from Tundra Books (Penguin Randomhouse)
- DOG DAYS OF HISTORY: The Incredible Story of Our Best Friends by Sarah Albee (MG/HB) from Media Masters Publicity/National Geographic 
- TURN THIS BOOK INTO A BEEHIVE! by Lynne Brunelle (E/PB) from Workman Publishing 
- GET MONEY: Live the Life You Want, Not Just the Life You Can Afford by Kristin Wong (A/ARC) from Hatchette 

From Disney-Hyperion: 
- THE STORM RUNNER by J. C. Cervantes (MG/ARC) from Disney Hyperion 
- A FRIENDLY TOWN THAT'S ALMOST ALWAYS BY THE OCEAN! (Secrets of Topsea #1) by Kir Fox and M. Shelley Coats (MG/HB) 
- CHARLIE AND FROG (A Castle-on-the-Hudson Mystery #1) by Karen Kane (MG/HB) 

From Entangled Teen:
- RISEN (Blood Eternal #1) by Cole Gibsen (YA/eARC) 
- BRING ME THEIR HEARTS by Sara Wolf (YA/ARC) 
- UNRAVELED (Perfected #3) by Kate Jarovik Birch (YA/HB) 

From Book Sparks:
- THE SUMMER OF NEW BEGINNINGS by Bette Lee Crosby (A/PB) 
- THE OPPOSITE OF NEVER by Mary Kathleen Mehuron (A/ARC) 
- SHUNNED by Linda A. Curtis (A/ARC) 
- RUDY'S RULES FOR TRAVEL: Live Lessons from Around the Globe by Mary K. Jensen (A/PB) 

From Peachtree Publishers:
- THE PRINCESS AND THE PACKET OF FROZEN PEAS by Tony Wilson (C/PB) 
- A PLACE FOR FISH by Melissa Stewart (C/HB) 
- THE KING OF BEES by Lester L. Laminack (C/HB) 
- NEVER FOLLOW A DINOSAUR by Alex Latimer (C/HB) 

From NetGalley:
- THE GIRL AND THE GROVE by Eric Smith (YA/eARC) from Flux 
- BRAVE ENOUGH by Kati Gardener (YA/eARC) from Flux
- WHAT YOU LEFT ME by Bridget Morrissey (YA/eARC) from Sourcebooks Fire 
- FURYBORN (Empirium #1) by Claire Legrand (YA/eARC) from Sourcebooks Fire
- BRUJA BORN (Brooklyn Brujas #2) by Zoraida Cordova (YA/eARC) from Sourcebooks Fire

*BOOKS I RECEIVED FROM GIVEAWAYS OR AS GIFTS OR THROUGH A TRADE: 
- THE WICKED DEEP by Shea Ernshaw (YA/HB) 
- A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman (A/PB) 
- MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE'S SORRY by Fredrik Backman (A/PB) 
- BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE by Fredrik Backman (A/PB) 
- I CAPTURE THE CASTLE by Dodie Smith (HB) from Wednesday Books 
- THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END by Adam Silvera (YA/signed HB) 
- MOONRISE by Sarah Crossan (YA/ARC) 

*BOOKS I PURCHASED: 
- CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE (Legacy of Orisha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi (YA/HB) 
- OPAL (The Raven Cycle #4.5) by Maggie Stiefvater (YA/eNovella) 

*My March BOOK OF THE MONTH Pick:
- THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER by Emily X. R. Pan (YA/HB) 

What I read in MARCH*

It was a very slow reading month for me; I allowed myself to get distracted with so many things - when I could have been reading I'd either binge-watch a show, watch movies, draw/paint... hoping to get back into my reading groove in April!

- THE SCIENCE OF BREAKABLE THINGS by Tae Keller (MG/ARC) 
- THE FAIRY TALES OF CHARLES PERRAULT by Angela Carter (Classic/PB) 
- LOVE by Matt de la Pena (C/HB Library Book) 

- COME WITH ME by Holly M. McGhee (C/HB Library Book) 
- GIVE THANK YOU A TRY by James Patterson (C/HB Library Book) 

- ARU SHAH AND THE END OF TIME (Pandava Quartet #1) by Roshani Chokshi (MG/ARC) 
- THE BACKUP BUNNY by Abigail Rayner (C/HB) 
- THE TIGERS AND THE EXCITING INVITING MEAL by Nick Cutelli (C/eBook) 
- TURN THIS BOOK INTO A BEEHIVE! by Lynne Brunelle (E/PB)  
- GET MONEY: Live the Life You Want, Not Just the Life You Can Afford by Kristin Wong (A/ARC)
- THE WINDOW by Amelia Brunskill (YA/ARC) 

*My APRIL TBR*

First, I hope to finish reading: 

- RISEN (Blood Eternal #1) by Cole Gibsen (YA/eARC) 
- CHARLIE AND FROG (A Castle-on-the-Hudson Mystery) by Karen Kane (MG/HB) 

And then, I hope I have enough time to read all of these: 
- ASH PRINCESS by Laura Sebastian (YA/ARC) 
- AIRPORTS, EXES, AND OTHER THINGS I'M OVER by Shani Petroff (YA/ARC) 
- THE GAME CAN'T LOVE YOU BACK by Karole Cozzo (YA/ARC) 
- TOKOYO, THE SAMURAI'S DAUGHTER by Faith L. Justice (MG/ARC) 
- BRIGHTLY BURNING by Alexa Donne (YA/ARC) 
- THE GIRL AND THE GROVE by Eric Smith (YA/eARC) 
- THE OPPOSITE OF NEVER by Mary Kathleen Muhuron (A/PB) 
- SHUNNED by Linda A. Curtis (A/ARC) 
- BE PREPARED by Vera Brosgol (MG/PB)
- DOG DAYS OF HISTORY: The Incredible Story of Our Best Friends by Sarah Albee (MG/HB)
- A FRIENDLY TOWN THAT'S ALMOST ALWAYS BY THE OCEAN! (Secrets of Topsea #1) by Kir Fox and M. Shelley Coats (MG/HB) 
- THE PRINCESS AND THE PACKET OF FROZEN PEAS by Tony Wilson (C/PB) 
- A PLACE FOR FISH by Melissa Stewart (C/HB) 
- THE KING OF BEES by Lester L. Laminack (C/HB) 

- NEVER FOLLOW A DINOSAUR by Alex Latimer (C/HB) 
- PETRA by Marianna Coppo (C/HB) 

Please let me know in the comments what you're reading... 
and leave your blog or book haul links too - I'd love to visit and see what you all have been up to!

P. S... Do you like/use book sleeves for your books? 

Then you should definitely go and check out BOOKKEEPER BOUTIQUE's Etsy shop!

SO many adorable patterns to choose from in 2 or 3 different sizes to fit all of your different sized books - help them keep cozy and safe while you travel around with them!

These book sleeves can also be used to protect other things in your bags and totes - such as eReaders, important notebooks, and papers, sketchbooks, laptops and more!

Use code BUMBLE10 to save 10% off your entire purchase now :) 

Thanks again - Happy reading!!!

Waiting On Wednesday #144: THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH by Ali Benjamin

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH

by Ali Benjamin

Expected release date: September 22nd, 2015

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary

Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

A stunning debut about how grief can open the world in magical ways.

After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy was a rare jellyfish sting. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory - even if it means traveling the globe, alone.

Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe... 

and the potential for love and hope right next door. 

BOOK TRAILER
 

Why I'm waiting for THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH... 

First, the book's cover caught my eye immediately... 

the yellow font and how the sky is made to look like the sea is brilliant and pretty.

Secondly, the summary is very brief, but, I can already feel Suzy's heartache and need to make sense to what has happened to her friend. This little girl is desperately trying to make sense as to why this tragedy happened; she is doing what she has to do in order to grieve.

Lastly, there aren't many books out there that explore and help children through grief. Death is a very difficult subject to talk about in general, to anyone. As a parent, I am always looking for the right words to use, how to keep it 'short and straight' and then give them cookies and a funny movie so they don't dwell on the difficult subject that we just discussed. It's hard not to sugarcoat things for them. They need to know that things can happen. That things do happen. And having books like this really helps us to help them come to their own understanding. 

Now, please tell me, what are you waiting for right now??? 

Book Haul #97: Tonight the Signs Point to SIX OF CROWS!

Good day, fellow bookworms!!!

I know that for most of you, school has been done and over with for quite a while now. But for us - our last day was this past Friday! You have no idea how excited my boys and I are for finally having some time to just hit the snooze button and stay in our pjs all day... for the next week or two, lol! This has been a really long school year! Both of my big boys excelled in their studies - we are beyond proud and blessed! It's now time to rest and have some much needed fun!!!

I am SO very lucky to have received SO many amazing books this week!!!
Starting next week, things are going to be pretty active around here - many different blog posts and a new feature will be popping up on Monday, I can't wait to share it all with you!!!
(But, if you follow on my on Instagram, you may see a sneak peek sometime this weekend!)

For now, here's my latest book haul :)

I am participating in Stacking the Shelves, 
hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews!!!

*What I received for review...

- INK AND BONE (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine (ARC) from the author
- JUST SAY YES by Alyssa Goodnight (Adult/eARC) from Entangled 

From Simon & Schuster (Middle Grade): 
- THE WAND & THE SEA (The Key and the Flame #2) by Claire M. Carter (ARC)
- GOBLINS ON THE PROWL by Bruce Coville (ARC) 

From Bloomsbury:
- HOLLYWOOD WITCH HUNTER by Valerie Tejeda (eARC)
- MISTLETOE and MR. RIGHT by Lyla Payne (ARC) 
- RED GIRL, BLUE BOY (If Only #5) by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (ARC) 

From Macmillan/Fierce Reads: 
- FIRST & THEN by Emma Mills (ARC) 
- SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo (ARC) 
- TONIGHT THE STREETS ARE OURS by Leila Sales (ARC)
- FIREWALKER (The Worldwalker Trilogy #2) by Josephine Angelini (ARC)
- SIGNS POINT TO YES by Sandy Hall (ARC) from Swoon Reads
- THE ANATOMICAL SHAPE OF A HEART by Jenn Bennett (ARC) 
- YOUNG WIDOWS CLUB by Alexandra Coutts (ARC) 

From Macmillan/MacKids (Middle Grade):
- LITTLE ROBOT by Ben Hatke (HB) 
- CRENSHAW by Katherine Applegate (ARC)
- JAMES TO THE RESCUE by Elise Broach and Kelly Murphy (ARC)
- THE SPINNY ICKY SHOWDOWN (The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut #3) by Laurie Keller (ARC)
- ON THE RUN by Tristan Bancks (ARC) 
- FINDING FORTUNE by Delia Ray (ARC)

*What I purchased...
- SCORCHED (Frigid #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (NA/eBook)

* * * 

A few pics from the past few weeks... 

Baby Bee got some cool new big boy shoes :)

Boy #2 is now NINE years old!!!

Got myself a pretty new planner!
(Webster's Pages Color Crush - white)

* * * 

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Please leave a comment with your link so I can visit your hauls too!!!

xoxo

Release Day Blitz (Giveaway): CIRCUS MIRANDUS by Cassie Beasley (MG)

I am so very excited about today’s release of CIRCUS MIRANDUS by the fabulous Cassie Beasley! 

Thank you for stopping by for the Blogger Blitz that I and so many other wonderful blogs are participating in. Thanks so much to Word Spelunking for organizing this! 

Cassie has sent along a very special letter sharing her feelings about seeing her book get published and all of the amazing support she has received so far...

Dear Readers,

Ages ago I hung a poster in my room with the words “The Circus Opens Summer 2015” in bold letters across the top. At the time, it seemed that Summer 2015 would never come. Now, miraculously, June 2 is here, and Circus Mirandus is springing up in bookshops all over the country.

In the story, those called to Circus Mirandus feel a change in the wind. They hear music on the air, pipes and drums leading them toward magic and hope and heart’s desires. Eventually they find themselves before the gates, standing, as I am now, on the threshold of somewhere both wonderful and unknowable.

As people read the pages into which I’ve poured so much time and self, I wonder what they’ll think of the world I’ve created. I wonder if they will love it as much as I do. It’s an exciting moment, stepping through these gates into a place I’ve imagined but never seen.

Thank you so much for making this journey with me. Thank you for supporting the book. Thank you, most of all, for believing.

Cassie Beasley

More details about the book are below, as well as a Rafflecopter giveaway for a bunch of swag items, courtesy of Penguin Young Readers! 

Enter for a chance to win at the bottom of this post.

CIRCUS MIRANDUS

by Cassie Beasley

Release date: June 2nd, 2015

Published by Dial (Penguin)

Genre: Middle Grade 

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

Micah Tuttle believes in magic, even though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve. Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa Ephraim tells him of the magical Circus Mirandus: the invisible tiger guarding the gates, the beautiful flying birdwoman, and the magician more powerful than any other — the Man Who Bends Light. 

Finally, Grandpa Ephraim offers proof. 

The Circus is real — and the Lightbender owes Ephraim a miracle. 

With his friend Jenny Mendoza in tow, Micah sets out to find the Circus and the man he believes will save his grandfather. The only problem is, the Lightbender doesn't want to keep his promise. And now it's up to Micah to get the miracle he came for. 

Readers will fall in love with CIRCUS MIRANDUS, which celebrates the power of seeing magic in the world.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR CIRCUS MIRANDUS

« “On one level, the book is a fantastical circus romp… On another, it's both serious and thick with longing… A delicious confection and much more: it shows that the human heart is delicate, that it matters, and that it must be handled with care.”                                     —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

« “Circus Mirandus is not a simple story, but readers will be rewarded for delving into its intricacies. This gripping fantasy tale will have readers hooked from the opening scene to the breathtaking—and unexpected—conclusion.”                                                                 —School Library Journal, starred review

« “Beasley’s debut is a bit of its own three-ring circus, masterfully diverting readers’ attention among the pressing matter of Ephraim’s illness, the inventive descriptions of Circus Mirandus in Ephraim’s flashbacks and Micah’s visits, and the larger, more serious tragedy of those who refuse to believe…Readers will be left with…the hope…that those who still believe will always have magic in their lives.”                                                                                                       —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Debut author Beasley has built an imaginative world in evocative, painterly prose, particularly the circus, and she’s filled it with compellingly multifaceted characters.”                               —Booklist

GIVEAWAY

There will be 5 winners!!!

Winners will receive: 

- Signed hardcover of CIRCUS MIRANDUS

- Audio sampler 

- Animal crackers

- Pack of 10 bookmarks

- Poster

Giveaway begins today, June 2nd, and will end on June 16th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Cassie Beasley

Cassie Beasley is from rural Georgia, where, when she's not writing, she helps out on the family pecan farm. 

She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

CIRCUS MIRANDUS is her first novel.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

Waiting On Wednesday #131: THE SHRUNKEN HEAD (The Curiosity House #1) by Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester (MG)

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This is where we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released!!!

The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night!!!

And, quite possibly, to make our shelves look pretty too :) 

What I'm currently waiting for... 

THE SHRUNKEN HEAD

The Curiosity House #1

by Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester

Expected release date: September 29th, 2015

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books

Genre: Middle Grade 

Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

What you will find in this book: 

- A rather attractive bearded lady.

- Several scandalous murders. 

- A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head. 

- Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities. 

- A quite loquacious talking bird. 

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey's Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. 

When the museum's Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts. 

What you will NOT find in this book:

- An accountant named Seymour.

- A never-ending line at the post office. 

- Brussel sprouts (shudder).

- A lecture on finishing all your homework on time. 

- A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys. 

This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester. 

Why I'm waiting for THE SHRUNKEN HEAD...

After reading the summary, do you really need me to tell you why I want this book?!

Did you not see that it is written by Lauren Oliver??? 

I don't think I have ever seen a middle grade book with so many oddities mixed together...

(My boys are quite keen on learning what it is like to grow up in a museum and what these murders are all about!)

And, did you not see that the book is from Lauren Oliver?!?!?

Yes, I see that some recluse relics genius is in on it too, but still... 

SO, what are you waiting for this week???

Blog Tour (Excerpt, Review and Giveaway): FLUNKED (Fairytale Reform School #1) by Jen Calonita (MG)

FLUNKED
Fairytale Reform School #1
by Jen Calonita
Release date: 
Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Genre: Middle Grade Fairytale
Format: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Format read: eARC from the publisher.

SUMMARY

OUR MISSION:

To turn WICKED DELINQUENTS

and FORMER VILLAINS

into FUTURE HEROES

Gilly wouldn’t call herself wicked exactly… but when you have five little brothers and sisters and live in a run- down boot, you have to get creative to make ends meet. Gilly’s a pretty good thief (if she does say so herself).

Until she gets caught.

Gilly’s sentenced to three months at Fairy Tale Reform School- where all of the teachers are former (super-scary) villains like the Big Bad Wolf, the Evil Queen, and Cinderella’s Wicked Stepmother. Harsh. But when she meets fellow students Jax and Kayla, she learns there’s more to this school than its heroic mission. There’s a battle brewing and Gilly has to wonder: can a villain really change?

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

BAM / !ndigo / IndieBound

EXCERPT

There’s a boy up there, standing on the crystal chandelier! He has slightly curly blond hair and is wearing a uniform—­a navy sweater vest over a white shirt with khaki pants—­but his boots are muddy. He’s stepping on priceless crystals with cruddy boots? Is he insane?

“Jax! What are you doing up there?” Kayla whispers heatedly.

“I’m cleaning the crystal for Flora,” Jax says and rolls his eyes. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making a break for it.”

Kayla applauds. “Yay! This time I know you can do it.”

I shade my eyes from the light bursting through the stained-­glass window next to the chandelier Jax is perched on. “Busting out? Why?” I ask Kayla. “I thought you said this place was cool.”

Jax laughs loudly and looks at me. I feel slightly stunned. I’ve never seen violet eyes before. “FTRS was fun for a while, but strange things have started happening and I don’t want to be here when something bad goes down.”

Strange things? What kind of strange things? Why does Kayla suddenly look pale?

“He’s exaggerating,” Kayla tells me, but she doesn’t sound convincing.

Drip. Whatever Jax is holding is leaking. Kayla and I move out of the way so we don’t get wet. “Grease,” Jax explains to me. “It lubes the window.” He swings the chandelier, and as it nears the window, he uses a fork to try to pry the window open. “A few more tries and I’ll have it.”

“Then what are you going to do, genius?” I ask. “You’re two stories up.”

Jax’s eyes gleam. “I’ve jumped from higher spots before.”

“It’s true,” Kayla says to me. “Jax once jumped from the gym to the dining hall turret. That was three stories up. We call him the Escape Artist. One time he even managed to break into Azalea and Dahlia’s rooms and borrowed their keys to the indoor pool so the whole dorm could take a midnight swim.”

“Impressive,” I tell him. “And I thought I was good at tricking obnoxious royals.”

“She stole a dragon’s tooth clip from one this morning,” Kayla fills him in.

“Nice,” Jax says. “Your first pull?”

“No, I’ve been doing it for a while,” I brag.

“Me too,” Jax says. “My father is a farmer. You can only get so far trading vegetables. I needed to kick things up a notch.”

For some reason, I don’t think any of us are going to make the transformation Headmistress Flora is looking for. “Why do you want to break out so bad?”

“I’ve got places to see, and Enchantasia isn’t one of them.” Jax swings the chandelier so hard the crystals clang together. The window latch pops open, and I watch Jax leap from the chandelier to the tiny window ledge. I’m in awe. Jax looks down at us smugly before pushing open the window. “Are you sure you two don’t want to join me?”

“There’s no time for us,” Kayla says. “Get out of here. Wait!” Her eyes widen. “You deactivated the alarm on the window, right?”

“There isn’t one,” Jax insists. “If there was, I wouldn’t be able to do this.” But when Jax lifts the window, we hear:

EEEEEE! EEEE! EEEE! Unauthorized exit! Unauthorized exit!

The shrieking sound is so intense that Kayla and I cover our ears. Within seconds, Flora is out of her office and running toward us.

Swoosh!

I feel something brush past me and I whirl around. When I look up at Jax again, a large, muscular man with a long mane of hair is hanging on to the window ledge, his furry hands pulling Jax back by his shirt. How did the man get up there without a ladder?

“Mr. Jax,” the man says in a low growl, “we really must stop meeting like this.”

MY REVIEW

Amusing, witty and full of magic - FLUNKED has a wonderful assortment of fairytales and their characters, most notably, their villains. A wonderful book that will make you think about what defines the good from the bad, giving second chances and who your true friends are.

Gilly is a 12 year old who has developed a Robin Hood complex due to her father's dying shoemaking business. She steals from the nobles in order to help put food in her siblings bellies and smiles on their faces. One of six siblings who live in a shoe, Gilly has brought it onto herself to take the risks to do what she can. She knows that if she is caught she will be sent to Fairytale Reform School and her siblings will suffer.
When Gilly pulls off her biggest heist to date, she is completely unaware of the trail she leaves behind until she is caught. Having to see the disappointment on her families faces is hard, but being sent away to school is even worse. Who will help and look after her siblings.

Fairytale Reform School was founded by the reformed "Wicked Stepmother", Flora. After realizing how badly she mistreated Ella, Flora decided to change her ways and what better way to complete the process than to extend a hand to others who have done wrong and help them find a way to better themselves. After reforming these "villains", she recruited them to do something worthy with themselves within society and asked them to join her faculty at the school. A few of these memorable characters are - the Werewolf that ate Little Red's grandmother, the Sea Witch and the Evil Queen, who is still obsessed with apples.  
The school itself resembles a castle - with ornate rooms and furniture, and nothing is lacking. Gilly's classes and meals are better than anything else she's ever had in her life. She feels guilty for not being able to take care of her siblings, but also, for living better than them too.
However, strange things have been happening at the school. Unexplained disappearances and teachers and students acting differently... something is happening. And Gilly and her friends are going to find out what it is.

What I love most about this book is Gilly's personality, she is very strong-minded and not only sticks up for what she believes in but for others too. She won't tolerate any type of bullying towards anyone and is very loyal to what and who she believes in. Gilly is definitely someone you can count on. Her new friends all fit an important role in her life and situation. There is a little magic here and there, but by all means, this is no fairytale where magic fixes everything and things are swept away with a swish of a wand. Everyone has to work hard and your best is always expected.

The story is wonderfully written and told strictly from Gilly's point of view, primarily through conversations and her thoughts. We see and know precisely what Gilly does without unnecessary details, which is exactly what my boys enjoy.

Fun, sassy and bold - we cannot wait to read the next book in this series! One of the best middle grade books of this year!

*I received an eARC from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Take the Fairy Tale Reform School Quiz!!!

If you get sentenced to Fairy Tale Reform School, it will help to have an ally. 

Take the quiz and find out who your mentor would be.

GIVEAWAY

- 5 winners will receive a print copy of FLUNKED!

- Giveaway ends 3/31/2015.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jen Calonita

Jen Calonita is the author of the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series and other books like Sleepaway Girls and Summer State of Mind, but Fairy Tale Reform School is her first middle grade series. 

She rules Long Island, New York with husband Mike, princes Tyler and Dylan, and Chihuahua Captain Jack Sparrow, but the only castle she’d ever want to live in is Cinderella’s at Disney World. 

She’d love for you to drop her a line at jencalonitaonline.com or keep the fairy tale going at http://books.sourcebooks.com/enchantasia/

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads