The Turning by Helen Ellis

This is one of the more thoughtful middle school books I’ve read. I’m not really sure if it is more for younger high school or not. I think it can and will appeal to both audiences. Mary discovers a secret about her own life that she never dreamed of facing. Mary’s relationships with her family and friends undergo some major revamping with what she learns.

Ms. Ellis deals with the insecurities that kids have in a tasteful and insightful manner. As an ex-guidance counselor for this age, I felt she captured their feelings very accurately. Fish or fowl is often the question with teenagers or in this case feline or not. The mystery was prolonged to the end. There was sufficient tension and moderate action to hold your interest. The life and death aspects were portrayed somewhat graphically but I don’t think at a level of intensity to frighten the younger reader. The book was well done and it appears that it will be a captivating series.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Helen Ellis

Web Site:

Beach City Indigo by Ruth Francisco

This is literature that has gone to the dogs. Oddly enough that is a good thing. This is a cute story about land development running amuck, political chicanery and man’s best friend. Find out what happens when a crooked politician runs into a stout hearted dog.

Ms. Francisco portrays dog and man living in harmony until disrupted by cruelty and greed. Although it had shades of Cruella De Vil meets Lady and the Tramp, Ms. Francisco creates her own solid but quirky characters. Kids will enjoy this as well as the die hard dog lovers. The story shows how cooperation and good will can overcome greed and avarice. Colorful and entertaining, I can only hope this gets published on paper as well as the Kindle. Kids will enjoy curling up with it.
I recommend the book.

Body of work of Ruth Francisco

Reserved for the Cat by Mercedes Lackey

Again I will mention my fondness for anthropomorphism. The telepathic cat in this story is a major protagonist. This book is one of the Elemental Master novels but as enjoyable as it was, I feel it is the weakest of the series. I did enjoy it but it read more like a young adult book that the previous books in the series. The lack of cooperation between practitioners of magic certainly reflects the inability of many talented people to work together to solve a problem. There is magic, animals, creatures, drama, intrigue and art involved in the story. I do recommend it, but arm yourself with a secondary book if you are on a long flight as you will breeze right through it.

Body of work of Mercedes Lackey

Site: http://www.mercedeslackey.com/
Review: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/books/science_fiction_fantasy/reviews/article_1374918.php/Book_Review_Reserved_for_the_Cat