“CONFECTIONATELY YOURS: SAVE THE CUPCAKE!” by Lisa Papademetriou, Scholastic, May 2012, Paperback, $5.99 (young adult)

“Confectionately Yours” delivers a delicious read with cupcake recipes, self-discovery and new friendships.

Hayley is experiencing much more than she signed up for during her eighth-grade year. A change in scenery due to her mom’s job loss and the necessity for her to help out at the family “tea shop,” comes with some changes. Her best friend, Artie, has begun hanging out with a different crowd, leading to a romance with Dylon — Hayley’s dream romance! Feeling betrayed and a bit confused, Hayley tries to lean on her other bestie, Marco, who it seems had a different understanding of their relationship as well.

Trying to gain new friends, confidence and win back Marco, Hayley shares her baking talent with her homeroom class. In sharing, she discovers one of her newfound friends has celiac disease — she can’t have oats, wheat, barley or rye. Learning new ways of baking, Hayley finds an opportunity to bake her way into people’s lives and develops more friendships and knowledge along the way.

Designed with recipes intertwined throughout the story, this book is a great read for a young baker.

A story of friendship, change and family, “Confectionately Yours” is a fun read. I appreciated the insight of the author and the celiac disease component weaved into the story. Considering the heightened awareness we all have for those with allergies or concerns, the book helped to make the frightening task of such a change something all can handle — even teenagers.

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“DINOSOARING” by Deb Lund, Illustrated by Howard Fine, Harcourt Children’s Books, June 2012, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 4 & up)

Soaring to new heights, a dinosaur team explores new adventures!

A fun, laughable story of the dinosaurs working to get off the ground and into flight! Onboard an airplane, they blow, flap, and run to get themselves off the ground. Once soaring, it seems as if dreams come true when they dinodance and zip and zoom. Until they take a dinospin, the team enjoys their journey in the sky.

“Dinosoaring” is a delightful rhyming and word-playing story. My son and I have had a wonderful time reading this book over and over. With colorful images filled with emotion, you can grasp an understanding of what each member of the dino-team is feeling as they fly through the sky — joy for the adventure!

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“OLIVIA BEAN TRIVIA QUEEN” by Donna Gephart, Delacorte Books for Young Readers, March 2012, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 9-12)

“88 keys can be found on this instrument.”

A great story of hard work, desire, and inner strength come alive through “Jeopardy!” trivia, a chance to be on the show, and a supportive family.

Olivia Bean, 12, is a big trivia fan and enjoys watching “Jeopardy!” every night — without interruptions. A younger ‘bother’ can be bribed easily so Olivia can watch on her own, but her Mom’s boyfriend, Neil, is another disturber. Neil moved into the house not long after her Dad left two years ago, taking her best friend and her best friend’s mom with him. Olivia feels lost without real friends, and her neighbor Tucker won’t stop calling her names.

Studying trivia is Olivia’s pastime, with a goal to someday be on the show, win money and visit California to see her dad and her best friend. If only Olivia were good at geography, she might have a chance. Tucker informs Olivia of the upcoming Kid’s Week on “Jeopardy!” and helps her make her way to a dream come true. Tutoring Olivia in geography also leads to a strong friendship with Tucker — who isn’t so bad after all.

Olivia’s adventure on the show and her visit to California are enlightening as she learns more about her best friend’s new life, how blessed she is in her life, and that Neil isn’t as bad as it seems.

“Olivia Bean Trivia Queen” is an enjoyable, heartwarming story. I enjoyed this read simply because I could relate to some of the unspoken emotion Olivia felt. A recap of the Phillies’ World Series win, interesting and gross trivia facts (supplied by her little brother), and a well-written, descriptive story of a young girl finding her own way lead to an entertaining and delightful read.

The answer to the trivia question: “What is the piano?”

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“LOOKING FOR ME,” by Betsy R. Rosenthal, Houghton Mifflin, April 2012, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 9-12)

Told through short poetry, join Edith in her journey to find herself during the Great Depression.

A unique storytelling method and a fantastic quick capture of a young girl’s story, this book was fascinating. Edith, age 11 going on 12, is from a family of 12 and generally feels she is the one who doesn’t stand out much. Working hard to answer the question of her teacher, “Who are you in your family,” Edith believes she is only No. 4, but she is aware of her calling to be the “good, little mother” who helps with all of the younger children and follows the rules of her older siblings. Edith tells of her struggles, joys and sorrows.

Throughout the story, you learn of family ancestry, family dynamics and the joys of a “penny candy party.” A heartbreaking memory told within the story, where (for once) Edith finds her family too small, captures your emotions. In the conclusion, Edith discovers much more about herself and discovers the answer to the question.

When I began the story, I was pessimistic of the poetry side of things; however, it turned out to be one of my most joyful reads. The stories were precise, descriptive, and simple — yet pieces to the puzzle of one’s life. In the end, I learned as it had seemed, that these were the stories captured by a daughter of the life of her mother, aunts and uncles. A very captivating and touching read.

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“THE CROWFIELD CURSE,” by Pat Walsh, Chicken House Scholastic, January 2012, Paperback, $7.99 (young adult)

Magic, secrets and small creatures all lead to a world within our own in “The Crowfield Curse.”

Drawing you into the story with an immediate tie to the unknown world within our own, author Pat Walsh takes you through a descriptive and well-painted storyline. William, the sole survivor from a fire at his family home, has been “adopted” by the family of religious monks at Crowfield Abbey. He works hard, doesn’t question much and seems to be content with the new lifestyle provided him — or rather feels he doesn’t have much of a choice for now.

When William learns he has “the sight,” which can lead him to evil or good. He begins to question processes, daily life and what happens in the world found within our own.

Soon, William discovers unlikely happenings at the Abbey. A 100-year-old tale of an angel killed in the duty of protection (or so it seems) is raising its light amongst the people, and William is doomed to be a part. As the story continues you are swept away into more depth and how the happenings in one world can impact another. Along his unsolicited journey, William meets the Dark King, discovers immortality isn’t all that it seems, and is provided insight into his own abilities and future.

Well-written, with great descriptive text and a compelling battle, I was transported into William’s plight between good, evil and whether he could remain neutral.

“THE CROWFIELD DEMON,” by Pat Walsh, Chicken House Scholastic, February 2012, Hardcover, $16.99 (young adult)

Continue the journey at Crowfield Abbey and discover what secrets lie beneath…

“The Crowfield Demon,” the sequel to “The Crowfield Curse,” takes you on a journey of darkness, demons and good versus evil. William is now bound to a fay and continues to live peacefully among the monks at the abbey.

Unfortunately, the abbey has a regrettable past. As the abbey walls begin to crack and the foundation rises, William is left to discover and help contain the demon that lies beneath. Although many may have heard the stories of the past — sacrifices to a fallen angel — and some helped cover it up, most shy away from the pursuit of magic to contain the evil. Having understanding of his own ability, William participates in the journey to help contain the demon, and save the abbey and his new family.

Admittedly, I was alarmed with the storyline and how dark and evil the woods can seem when you’re reading such a vividly descriptive story. I don’t believe I’ll read the book again, due to my own preferences, but I would recommend it as a story of courage, faith and perseverance; just don’t read it when going camping or hiking in the woods.

Overall, the two books were fascinating and very well-written. Although I would have preferred to stay on the lighter side of the magic and left the demon on his own, I was pleased to have read the book and learned about the faith and power of a young man who didn’t know he mattered until he learned from all around him that he did.

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“DEMOLITION,” by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Brian Lovelock, Candlewick Press, Feb. 14, 2012, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 2 and up)

Crash! Bang! Join the crew of a demolition team in destroying an existing building to make room for a new park! Written well, with sharp, distinctive words and a rhyming prose, children can enjoy the adventure of turning something old into something new. Old concrete into new and wood into mulch, there is quite a bit to do to renew a space.

Full-page, colorful pictures help enhance the use of the words on the page and take the readers on an educational journey of different uses for construction vehicles. With a helpful glossary in the back of the book, a reader is sure to learn more than anticipated.

My son and I enjoyed this story as the pictures and words display so much action. The words are playfully spread on the page to help suggest the sounds, “Bam, Whack, Whop, Whump.” I’m sure this is to become one of the favorites in our household.

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“THE UNBEARABLE BOOK CLUB FOR UNSINKABLE GIRLS,” by Julie Schumacher, Delacourt Press, Hardcover, May 8, 2012, $16.99 (ages 12 and up)

“The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls” captures quick thoughts of a teenager — curious, confused and well-read — into a novel.

Schumacher writes a well-written story of teenage-related unanswered questions, spur of the moment thought and random acts of the age. The novel is an essay written by a young, shy, girl named Adrienne, who feels a bit indescribable and “normal.” Due to an injury, her planned summer has completely changed to include a mother-daughter book club with three classmates preparing for AP English. The three classmates could not be more different than one another, yet a friendship is formed — mostly due to a quirky, curious, attention-neglected girl who comes from a wealthy family.

Written to create images and hold you in firm resolve with Adrienne, you are wrapped into the world of teenage life, where thoughts jump quickly from one topic to another and you are trained to jump to conclusions of your own creation.

Adrienne is an avid reader due to help from her first-grade teacher who “knelt by my desk one afternoon and smoothed her finger across the parallel rows of two-dimensional black marks in my book — as if she had opened a hidden door, I felt the patterned surface break and give way, and the words let me in.”

The mother-daughter Book club forms several nicknames throughout the story, including “Extremely Unbearable Book Club,” “Literary Trespassers Association for Delinquent Girls” and “The Society of Feminine and Literary Despair.” Reading and discussing “The House on Mango Street,” “The Left Hand of Darkness,” “Frankenstein” and “The Awakening,” the book club forms into a friendship guild.

I was curious at first sight of the book, as the cover art is intriguing — along with the long title. Overall I enjoyed reading it, but didn’t feel hooked until the middle. It’s a well-written description of how I felt as a teenager — confused, curious, interested in other “cliques” but too afraid to try and befriend others. Complete at the end of the summer, book club over and new friendships formed, the book leaves you wanting to know more of the school year and how, or if, the book club changed the girls’ year together in school.

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“NO JUMPING ON THE BED” by Tedd Arnold, Dial Books for Young Readers; Penguin Group, April 12, 2012, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3 and up)

Did you ever think jumping on the bed could take you on a journey that’s more than you asked for? Discover more with “No Jumping on the Bed.”

A fun, imaginative and creative story of a young boy, Walter, who falls through the many floors of his building after jumping on his bed. With fantastic pictures, fitting prose, and an imaginative story, which we all have dreamed up in our minds; it is not a surprise to me this is the 25th anniversary edition.

Colorful images fill the page, while the characters begin a journey all together of falling through a multiple story building. A great and entertaining read. My son and I enjoyed this at our lunch hour this week and were amused at the images, the colors, and the storyline.

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