Al Capone Does My Shirts

by Gennifer Choldenko

This book takes place during the Great Depression, when jobs are hard to come by. Moose (a 12 year boy) is forced to move with his family to Alcatraz, when his father gets a job there. His father works long hours, and his mother takes a job too. Moose is put in charge of his autistic sister, Natalie. There is a beautiful relationship between Moose and Natalie, and how he helps deal with her obsessive behavior and temper tantrums. There are other children on the island that Moose makes friends with, and there is basket of trouble- Piper. Piper is the beautiful but scheming daughther of the warden. One of her many schemes is charging their classmates for the opportunity to have their laundry done by the inmates.
The book is a short read, and told from the viewpoint of Moose. I love the family relationships in the this book. Moose has a very good solid relationship with his father. It is great to read a book where the father is loving, and cares so much for his family. It is an uplifting read!

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Loved it, loved it, loved it! Be sure to check this one out. The sequel will be out sometime in the next 6 months.

Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words. Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

(Thanks to Barnes & Noble website again for the pic and synopsis)

Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

Okay, so I know there are a lot of, shall we call them Pride & Prejudice knockoffs. Anyway, this one is adorable. I loved it! A cute quick read. I hope you enjoy it.

Here's the storyline: To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips...conks her head...and wakes up in the year 1815! There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily's family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily's cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant. But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex's heart, before her time in the past is up? (synopsis & picture from Barnes & Noble website.)