Avalon High--Meg Cabot

Title: Avalon High
Author: Meg Cabot
Pages: 288
Publisher: HarperCollins, 2006
ISBN: 0060755865

Ellie starts her junior year at a new high school in a new town miles away from her friends and old school. Her parents are both professors--medieval scholars--and on sabattical to research their particular topics. Ellie's mother is an expert on the Tennyson poem the Lady of Shalott (who Ellie is named after--Lady Elaine who committed suicide after Lancelot spurned her for Queen Guinevere). Her father is studying an old sword. This brings Ellie to Annapolis and Avalon High. Although not excited to start a new school, Ellie changes her mind when she runs into Will, a boy she feels she has met before but just can't place. Ellie is instantly attracted to Will, but unfortunately he's dating the most popular girl in school, cheerleader Jennifer. Ellie's new friends try to hook her up with Will's best friend Lance but she definitely prefers Will, and Lance is smitten with Jennifer. Will's evil step-brother Marco turns out to be his half-brother and exposes Lance and Jennifer's secret relationship and then tries to kill Will.

Each of the characters is based on legend--A. Will Wagner is King Arthur, Jennifer is Guinevere, and Lance is obviously Lancelot. Marco is Modred and there's a teacher Mr. Morton who is clearly Merlin, although not as powerful or wise. Ellie's role seems obvious in the beginning but turns out to be a surprise.

I love Arthurian legend and I loved this twist on the once and future king. Cabot has written a realistic fiction romance novel with elements of fantasy and suspense. Knowledge of Arthurian legend enhances the reading, but is not required. Girls will definitely be drawn to this story, but the romance is not so overwhelming so it turns off boys. Although the characters are in high school, there's nothing preventing middle schoolers from enjoying the story. The romance never progresses past the kissing level.
************
Reading: Doughboy--Pete Marino
On My Nightstand: Lots more

The Frog Princess--E.D. Baker

Emma is a princess escaping a boring prince-suitor by running to the swamp when she stumbles upon a talking frog. Claiming he is an enchanted prince who needs a kiss to return to his human state, the frog asks Emma to help him. Reluctant at first, Emma complies and instead of turning the frog into a prince, she turns into a frog. The two frogs embark on an adventure to return to their normal human selves.

The prince-frog needing a kiss from a princess is a classic story. The twist of Emma turning into a frog is a nice touch, but I was somewhat disappointed with this story. I think it's more of a juvenile or tween book than it is a teen book. I may have it classified incorrectly... there wasn't anything "wrong" with it, the writing was okay, it just felt like a teen book would have been a little deeper.

I think tween girls will love this book. It's a fairy tale with a fun twist. It's easy to read and has the appropriate amount of adventure, romance and magic.
************
Reading: Nothing yet
On My Nightstand: Stress Free For Good-Fred Luskin; In Control: No More Snapping at Your Family, Sulking at Work, Steaming in the Grocery Line, Seething at Meetings, Stuffing Your Frustration.--Redford Williams

Sir Thursday (The Keys to the Kingdom)--Garth Nix

I think I am officially in love with Garth Nix.

Those of you who are unfamiliar with the Keys to the Kingdom series need to start with Mister Monday, then go on to Grim Tuesday, and finally Drowned Wednesday. This is not a series you can pick up in the middle and fully appreciate.

Arthur's dealing with the longest week of his life. Although it's just Thursday to his family, months and months have passed by for him because of his travels to the House and it's alternate time scheme. Thinking that he can go home after dealing with Drowned Wednesday and getting the 3rd Key and the 3rd part of the Will, Arthur is dismayed to discover that a spirit-eater is impersonating him on Earth. He cannot go back home until he destroys the spirit-eater and he can't do that at all because he's been drafted into the Army of the Glorious Architect. While he's at boot camp his friend Leaf returns to Earth and battles the spirit-eater. Arthur survives boot camp, but spends most of it not knowing who he is after he's been cleaned between the ears. It's not until Arthur is in battle that he begins to remember himself and his important mission.

Arthur must battle Sir Thursday at the same time he battles the curious New Nithlings led by the Piper. He must win the 4th key and free the 4th part of the Will while trying to avoid using it and turning more into a Denizen than he wants to be. He wrestles with the knowledge that saving the people of the House and the people of his world will require sacrificing a little bit of his humanity each time he uses his power.

Although it takes a while for the action to really begin, I loved this book. Leaf's battle against the spirit-eater is told in alternating chapters with Arthur's story. There's more religious allegory here too--Mister Monday is said to have failed because of his sloth (laziness), Grim Tuesday because of his avarice (greed), and I think it's clear Drowned Wednesday's sin was gluttony (she turned into a whale!). Although I enjoy seeing the underlying religious story, it's not necessary to understand or appreciate the series. Kids who don't pick up on it won't be missing out and people who don't want to see it won't be offended.

The book is a major cliff-hanger and I hope we see Lady Friday soon!

************
Reading: Dunno
On My Nightstand:

How Angel Peterson Got His Name--Gary Paulsen

What a great book for middle school boys!

The author narrates this collection of loosely related memories of his days as a 13 year old boy. He and his friends make their own entertainment before the days of TV and video games and the Internet. They ride bikes and make their own skateboards and perform their own daredevil stunts.

Paulsen tells the story like he's talking directly to the reader around a campfire at night "Remember when Angel tried to break the speed-ski record ...." It's funny and exciting and short. Middle school boys will eat this right up. I don't know how girls will relate... I enjoyed it but while I was reading it all I could think about was what I wasn't going to let my son do when he gets to be 13.


************
Reading: Sir Thursday--Garth Nix
On My Nightstand: