Nick of Time

Title: Nick of Time
Author: Ted Bell
Ages: 10 and up

Nick of Time is the ideal action adventure book for reading-under-the-cover-summer nights.  I spied for Nazis in World War II and sailed with Nick in 14th century Caribbean Seas.  All of the characters became alarmingly real and I related to them immediately.  One problem I had with the book was that Nick idolizes and seems to worship his hero Lord Nelson.  I'm all for having a great role model, but Nick seems to think Nelson is a god and actually prays to him when he's in danger!  Another problem is that there is some minor language, such as d**n.  However, it is a really fun action adventure story.  If you like Nick of Time, you might want to read its sequel The Time Pirate or even better, Treasure Island.

Content Advisory:  Nothing except for the few things mentioned above.

Fairest

Title: Fairest
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Ages: 12 and up

Fairest is the author's re-creation of the fairy tale story Snow White.  Some of the similarities between the two stories are very clever.  The re-write of the dwarves and hunter is very funny.  I've read some of her other books, and this one in particular lacked her usual wit and humor.  Overall, I thought this was a good book, though I have criticisms about Aza's relationship with the prince.  Aza (Snow White) is a transparent character and the reader, rarely feels sympathetic toward her or her pleas.  Ijori, (the prince) is one of the better written characters in the book, but still, something is lacking about him.  One of the up-sides of the book is Aza's realization that even though she is ugly, people (Ijori in particular) still love her for who she is on the inside rather then on the outside.  In a culture that is so obsessed with appearances, this book may help girls realize that their true worth doesn't lie in their appearance.

Content Advisory: Nothing