Portraits: Dancing Through Fire by Kathryn Lasky

Welcome to 19th century Paris, and the world of Degas's dancers. 13-year-old Sylvie is one of the pupils at the Paris Opera Ballet, where tutus must always be starched and pointe shoes fresh. Sylvie dreams of being a prima ballerina, but her height is a problem: she is too little. When the Franco-Prussian war begins in 1870, Paris is soon under siege and Sylvie is thrown into turmoil and tragedy. Against the fiery backdrop of war, the beauty of the ballet sustains and strengthens Sylvie. Before long, her talent and drive allows her to achieve her goal--and she graces the stage as a star.

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When I first picked up Dancing Through Fire I thought it was going to be about the girl who posed for the artist Degas, but it was not. It did mention Degas and Marie (the girl who actually did the sculpture posing), instead the story was about a girl named Sylvie who also danced in the Paris Opera Ballet and who was inspired by the unnamed ballerina on the cover. I guess I got Dancing Through Fire mixed up with a book called Marie, Dancing by Carolyn Meyer.

Dancing Through Fire is a short, but very detailed novel of a young ballerina during the French Reign of Terror in the 1870s. I liked this book mainly because it explored historical events and life behind the Opera stage. I danced for several years (had to stop because of a foot injury) and I know all too well the the pains of pointe shoes, fiddling with costumes, and standing still on stage for half and hour. Though ballet hasn't changed much in the past hundred years except for the invention of tights, we have it so much better when it comes to pointe shoes. Ugh. Can you imagine there just being cotton stuffed between your toes and hard block of wood? Now we have all kinds of padding, but of course it does not take the pain away.
The only thing that I disliked about Dancing Through Fire was that Sylvie was a bit too shallow and did not act like she was thirteen but much younger. The other characters though were much more realistic and with the tragic setting you got to see a whole different side of Paris. Forget the sparkling Eiffel Tower; during the Reign of Terror the whole city turned ugly and dangerous. Lasky had a great setting to play with, but I think she was holding back to try to make the story simple for a younger audience. I can understand that and even if some of the characters' personalities were a bit muffled, I still liked reading this book. Plus, the story behind the painting makes it even more intriguing.
Overall, Dancing Through Fire is a great book for historical fiction fans and both teens and tweens alike. 

|Pages: 176|Year Published: 2005|Publisher: Scholastics|
|Genre: Historical fiction, 1800s|
|Series? Yes, Portraits series|Age Group: Ages 11+|Content: Mild sensuality/graphic detail|
|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 4/5|
|Overall|







Other Books by Kathryn Lasky:
Daughters of the Sea: Hannah

In My Mailbox (13)

I got three books in the mail this week!!! I'm excited to read Far From Gringoland (remember it from my Book Gorge post last month?) Did you get anything interesting in your mailbox?

Far From Gringoland by Edward Myers (Nov. 09)

The Pencil Test by James Guilford (Sept. 09)

Circle of Friends: Heather by L. Diane Wolfe

Inspiring Today: New Bloggers, Books, and an ARC Contest

Here is another round of new bloggers! Welcome to the blog-o-sphere. And again, you have been added to my Blog List below.

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Introducing

Helen's Book Blog

Reading, Reading, & More Reading (visit)

About: Helen has taught History and Government for 14 years and she is currently a Teacher Librarian.

Helen started book blogging in 2008 when she became the teacher librarian at her high school in California. Since then she has become obsessed and has recently moved her blog off the school's website and onto the blog-o-sphere!
Recent Reviews: "Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine" (by her daughter), "Murder in the Name of Honor by Rana Husseini", and "The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd".



A Bookshelf Monstrosity
A Librarian in Training Talks About Books (visit)


About: Besides review books, Amanda has weekly posts on books by theme; a weekly list of giveaways about the blog-o-sphere; and Kit Lit roundup. We must not forget the Bookshelf Monstrosity Gazette which is posted every Sunday which features all kinds of neat things from literary quotes, history, and new books.
Recent Reviews: "The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir", "Kit Lit: The Boy Who Invented TV", and "Making Toast by Roger Rosenblatt".
Recent Contests: Amada's Huge Honckin' Giveaway! Ends 11/29.


If you are a new blogger and would like to be featured just like Amanda and Helen, click here and fill out the form. UPDATE!!! I changed the form just a tinsy bit so new blogger who have JUST started their blogs can be features! YAY!

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Hot Off the Press

I haven't done one of these in awhile....again. There's hundreds of new books coming out and so little time to tell you about them. Anyways here's what has been hitting the bookshelves this past couple of weeks:


Winter's End by Jean-Claude Mourlevant
Blessing's Beads by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Raven Summer by David Almond 
Cashing In by Susan Colebank 
The Crimson Cap by Eleen Howard
On Viney's Mountain by Joan Donaldson 
The Pale Assassin by Patricia 
Prairie Winter by Bonnie Geisert
Snow Queen by Emma Harrison (Keiran Scott)


Putnam Poolza Contest
This week I also came across a contest hosted by The Bookologist. She is giving away three ARCs of Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials, Restoring Harmony, and Sea! To enter click here!

Another Happy Thanksgiving Post!

Oh, great another "Thanksgiving" post, right? Oh, well you're just gonna have to read this anyway. Just kidding. :) I was going to post another book review today, but then I'm sure a lot of you might not be at the computers today. Instead of tucking yourself away in your room reading a novel, you'll be in the kitchen or listening to Uncle Harry talk about how he he burnt the turkey last year or the time the dog ate the green-bean casserole.
I'll be posting new bloggers tomorrow, but I probably won't post The Dancing Through Fire review until next week. Have a great time--no matter how boring or hectic this weekend will be. Eat lots of good food, but don't go into a turkey coma....that wouldn't be cool. LOL 

Book Gorge (12)

Book Gorge is a list of "to-be released" books that I want to read. This is a great opportunity to grab a pen and jot down these books! Till next week, wish big and happy reading...

(Book Gorge is in original creation by BLT)

All of these look and sound like great books and I'm dying to read Anastasia's Secret, A Blue So Dark, and Folly. Discovered any new or exciting books? I'd love to hear about it!

A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler 

(May 2010)

Folly by Marthe Jocelyn 

(May 2010)

No Moon by Irene N. Watts

(April 2010)

Paper Daughter by Jeanette Ingold

(April 2010)

Swoon at Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter

(April 2010)

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

(March 2010)

Heist Society by Ally Carter

(February 2010)

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

(January 2010)

A Pearl Among Princes by Coleen M. Paratore

Gracepearl Coal is the cook’s daughter on Miramore, the island all princes visit for their summer program in the Charming Arts. Each year, the princes-in-training arrive on gallant seacraft, guided by captains trained to navigate the island’s treacherous waters. Passage on one of these boats is the only method to leave the island—thus betrothal to a royal is the only way for Pearl to find her far-off destiny, the one that’s started haunting her dreams. Luckily, this year’s crop of princes include some promising prospects, but how will Pearl leave behind her ailing father or—hardest of all—marry a boy other than her long-time beloved, Mackree . . . who now finds it too painful to even speak to her?

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A Pearl Among Princes is full of whimsical and fairy-tale detail and fun. Surprisingly I did enjoy this middle grade book (even though it was a bit too young for me) with it's island adventure and various handsome princes. The beginning of each chapter had a nursery rhyme quote and reminded me of those little songs I had almost forgotten-it made the story kinda of special. Even though the setting may sound too juvenile, Gracepearl and the other characters had a much more "maturer" voice; there were even a few kisses invovled! The storyline of course for me was predictable, but it didn't keep me from finishing it. Must have been the magical feel of the island? I mean what fairy-tale princess story takes place on an island--so unique right? A Pearl Among Princes is equipped with an fantasy side for kids and a semi-romantic side for soon-to-be young adults making it perfect for tweens.
Filled to the brim with island gossip, spoiled princes, tricks, and true love, Paratore is sure to make you giggle and blush no matter what age you are. I recommend to tweens ages 9-12 or the young at heart.

Coleen Paratore is the author of several books for children and tweens including the ever popular Wedding Planner's Daughter series. She lives in upstate New York.

|Pages: 191|Year Published: Sept. 2009|Publisher: Dial|
|Genre: Fantasy, romance, tweens|
|Age Group: Ages 9-12|Content: None|
|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall|

Monday Muse: What Did You Read Growing Up?

What were your favorite books when you were growing up?

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When I was about eight I started reading the Nancy Drew Mystery series and the Little House on the Praerie books. I have said this many times and I'll say it again, you can't go through life without reading  these books. I read all of the Laura Ingalls books and thirty-some odd Nancy Drew mysteries; still to this day my favorite Nancy Drew book is The Hidden Staircase. Last year or so I bought several sets of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy mysteries which I read every once in awhile-my sister has even bought some of hard-to-find ones such as the 99 Steps. If you thought The Thirteenth Pearl was the last Nancy Drew book ever written think again. In 2007 numbers #58-#63 were published and have a slightly different look!

Have a question for me to feature in Monday Muse? I'd love to answer it! Leave a comment or send me an email at thefirstlibrarian@yahoo.com.

In My Mailbox (12)

I went to the library again this week and got one book-I mainly stopped by just to return some other books and pick one up for my mom :) (My mom does a lot of reading as well) I had already looked at the "new books" section a week before and didn't see anything "new"; but when I checked it again my eyes nearly popped out! Lady MacBeth's Daughter was sitting there waiting for me [sigh]. I also happened to get two books in the mail: one a thank-you gift from the crew at Tundra for my book trailer of Medina Hill (see it here) and my book-swap book, Ophelia by Lisa Klein, came from The Book Scout! (If you would like to do a book swap with me check out this list.)
Have a great week and happy reading!

A Thousand Years of Pirates by William Gilkerson

Lady MacBeth's Daughter & Ophelia by Lisa Klein

Inspiring Today: New Bloggers

As some of you have heard I am now featuring new bloggers every Friday in my Inspiring Today post which contains random stuff: new books, music, news from the YA world, etc. If you are a new blogger and don't know about what's happening please click on the "Are You a New Blogger" link to left and fill out the form! I got a few, not lot, but enough to where I can't feature everybody the same day, so if you don't see your blog below, don't worry, I will feature you the following Friday and so on. Enjoy!

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Introducing

Ellz Readz

A Book Review Site & More (visit)

About: Eli is a YA reader who loves fantasy and paranormal romance!

Elie's first post was on July 18th, 2009, so she has been blogging for four months. Eli says she has met a lot of wonderful people through blogging. She loves doing author interviews because it helps her feel more connected with with the stories she loves. Besides featuring book reivews, Eli has been working on several special posts: Melting Pot Monday (to-read books) and Kidz Corner in which she reviews kids books with her two little ones. Coming up later this month Eli has decided to add another meme called Ellz Newz which features news from around the blog-o-sphere and GOT INK which is still under construction.

Recent Reviews: "Blue Moon & Evermore by Alyson Noel", "Fade Out by Rachel Cain", and "Golden Conspiracy by Robert James Gilder".

Recent Interviews & Contests: Alyson Noel & contest and Fallen giveaway.

Ramblings of a Bibliophile

Just a Book Fiend Rambling About Her Love of Books (visit)

About: Nikki is a YA book reviewer, history lover, photographer, and a geek.

Nikki has been blogging since October. She says that the name of her blog clearly says it all because she is a big time bibliophile who loves books. Nikki writers her reviews with an honest and opinionated voice and participates in weekly muses such as "Teaser Tuesdays" and "Friday Finds". She also highlights new bloggers in "Follow Friday" and does Weekly Recaps.

Recent Reviews: Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, Way of the Shadows (#1) by Brent Weeks, and Fire by Kristen Cashore.

Recent Contests: Come enter Nikki's first contest: 8 books, 3 winners!!!!

Welp that's it today's featured bloggers. I will have 2 or 3 more next Friday so be sure to stop by! And oh, yes I have added ALL the bloggers that filled out the form to my Blog List! Thanks for stopping by.

At Face Value by Emily Franklin

A tennis champion, straight-A student, and editor of the school paper, Cyrie Bergerac has learned to live with her (ahem) peculiar proboscis. And she's got an armory of witty retorts for every schnoz joke that comes her way. But despite her talents and charm, Cyrie is convinced that no guy—hot or otherwise—would deem her crush-worthy. Certainly not Eddie "Rox" Roxanninoff, who's gorgeous, smart, and genuinely nice to boot! There's someone else smitten with Rox, too. It's Leyla, Cyrie's pretty yet tongue-tied best friend. Helping Leyla seduce Rox through email provides a wonderful way for Cyrie to express her true feelings. But watching her crush hook up with Leyla may be more than she can take. Will Cyrie find the strength to risk it all—nose be damned—and confess her love?

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Based on the originial big-nosed romantic, Cyrano de Bergerac; At Face Value  is a charming and witty novel exploring friendship, love, and self-confidence. Everyone has a part of them they don't like. Noses, bean-pole body, skinny legs, big ears, too short (that's me) and so on. It's caused by lack of self-confidence and brought on by teasing and insecurity just as Cyrie experiences in this semi-romantic narration. Personally, I loved reading this book because of its classic, yet suspenseful love triangle at the center of this story. The characters were just as lovable with their humor, awkwardness, and cleverness which keeps you in touch in reality and that will ring true to many teen girls.
I have read-not a lot- but enough to where I know what I want from a YA romance novel: I want to be kept guessing, end of story. I have read many a teen romance in which I have guessed right on the dot what was going to happen. With At Face Value however, Franklin kept me surprised and I honestly think that this book will please even the pickiest of readers. Even though the acceptance and friendship themes are expected, I still think the romantic side of the novel does have a few twists up its sleeve. The best part of this charming novel is not the romance nor the characters, but how the school scene and Cyrie's comedic mistakes are portrayed. Cyrie will make you laugh or shake your head as she falls head over heels and pokes her nose in places it shouldn't be in.

Overall, At Face Value is a lovable story of several smitten boys, the school's "it" chicks, and one big nosed girl who must discover that value doesn't lie on the outside, but the inside. I highly recommend to any teen girl.

Emily Franklin is the author of dozens of books for teens including The Principals of Love series, the Chalet series, and The Other Half of Me.

|Pages: 264|Year Published: 2008|Publisher: Flux|

|Genre: Contemporary fiction, teen romance, friendship, teen issues|

|Age Group:YA, ages 12+|Content:Very mild language and mild sensuality|

|Enjoy It: 4/5|Content Rating: 4/5|Cover: 5/5|

|Overall|

I'm on Twitter-Follow Me!

I decided to go ahead and create a Twitter page to stay up to date with the rest of the YA bloggers. If you're on Twitter please follow me! I'll probably post links (if I can learn how) to my reviews, contests, etc.

You can see my account here @morganluvsbooks

Are You a New Blogger?

When I first started book blogging all the other "older" bloggers that had been reviewing for much longer than me seemed far away and intimidating. I had no blogging buddies or friends that were already on the blog-o-sphere....I was alone. For at least two months I had only 17 followers and half of those were fellow book bloggers. Without them, I wouldn't have gotten "introduced" to the vast amount of other readers and reviewers. In the 10 months I've been reviewing on BLT, I was only "featured" once. [sniff] I would have loved to have someone "welcome" my blog and myself to the book blogger world. So now here's your chance to let me, Morgan, to welcome you to the blog-o-sphere!!

To help me located you newbies fill out this form!

• New bloggers will be feature at least once a week in my Inspire Today posts on Fridays.
• Any blogger that has been blogger for 1-6 months can be featured.
• If something is amiss with the form, please feel free to email me at thefirstlibrarian@yahoo.com and I will send you the questions to fill out!
• On Fridays, when I feature the new bloggers who sign up, I will let you know that I added you to my blogroll.
• UPDATED!!! The form has been updated so that bloggers who have JUST created a blog can be featured.

In My Mailbox (12)

I decided to get a "mystery" book and some sort of historical fiction at the library. Both sound good and I'm particularly excited about The Battle for Duncragglin-it's a story about a boy who visits this castle that allows him to travel back in time to discover what happened there. It kinda reminded me of Timeline by Michael Crichton (also a major motion picture).

Fade to Black by Alex Finn

The Battle for Duncragglin

Honest Scrap Award

I received the wonderful Honest Scrap Award from Alexa at Hooked on YA Books-be sure to check out her blog! Thanks Alexa, I'm honored! :)

The rules for this award are:

This is the Honest Scrap Award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself.

10 bloggers I'm passing the award to: (i'm still searching for some new bloggers and I will post the rest of the nominees later :) I will make myself do this, I will remember, I will remember

Flight of Minds

Katie's Book Blog

Sophistikated Reviews

Today's Adventure

Lost in a Book

The Book Scout

Okay dokey, here the 10 honest things about me:

1) I'm too secretive for my own good

2) I would rather write a person than talk to them face to face; words come out better

3) My favorite time of the day is the late evening

4) My favorite number is 4

5) I like rains storms

6) I love books/movies about pirates and no, I don't obsess over Johnny Depp

7) I'm a tad too protective of my books; I like when my friends borrow them, but I hate it when they bring them back bent!*bites nails*

8) I dislike books about cliques or "it" crowd girls-they're just dumb

9) The Eiffel Tower is littered throughout my room

10) I always wanted to be a model if I were taller