Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Minli is a young girl working with her family in the fields near the Jade River. Their family was very poor and worked very hard with little reward. Her father told Minli countless stories that her mother disapproved of. She felt they filled Minli's head with nonsense.

One day Minli decided to go find the Old Man of the Moon, a character in many of her father's stories, and attempt to change her family's fortune.

Thus begins a wonderful adventure in which Minli befriends a dragon who can't fly, encounters a young boy with a buffalo, meets the king, is saved from a vicious tiger by a set of fun-loving twins, and so much more!

But will Minli reach her goal and change her family's fortune or will her request change in order to help a friend?

What I Thought:
This book is a fantastic read aloud. The plot of the story is supplemented and moved forward with traditional stories or fables interspersed throughout the text. Whether the story is told by Minli's father or another character in the book, wonderful stories are interwoven throughout.

I loved the theme of friendship that ran throughout the book. Minli is such a sweet character who made friends wherever she roamed, and she was a wonderful friend in return.

This book is a wonderful story of adventure that I think anyone would love.

Very highly recommended.

This book was awarded a Newbery Honor in 2010. (A well deserved honor!)

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Marley Goes to School by John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

It's Cassie's first day of school and Marley, Cassie's yellow lab, is ready to go with her. And why wouldn't he? Marley is Cassie's best friend and he goes everywhere with her.

But when Marley doesn't get to go with Cassie to school, he just doesn't understand.

Marley digs out of the backyard and heads to school where he has a lovely good time causing lots of chaos.

What I Thought:
A rowdy good time!

I'm a fan of Marley, especially right now that I'm begging hubby to let us get a dog! Marley is such a lovable puppy who simply loves life the fullest. To his family, he's definitely a handful!

I like the illustrations, they are quite realistic and remind me of books my grandmother had at her house. Something about them make me think "classic." The page where Cassie heads off to school with her family and Marley is left watching from the backyard is heartbreaking. I literally teared up looking into Marley's sad face. But flip a couple of pages and you'll be chuckling at Marley posed as a student in a classroom!

Kids will love Marley's adventure at school!

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Marley Goes to School by John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny by Jan Thomas

The rhyming dust bunnies are back! This time, they encounter a BIG MEAN dust bunny who is rather grouchy. Soon, the big mean dust bunny is rhyming right along with the rest of them. Well, all of them but Bob, who keeps saying "cat" instead of a word that rhymes.

He's weird.

Anyway, they are all having fun, when a cat comes along (maybe Bob isn't so weird) and squashes the big mean dust bunny! Being nice, the rhyming dust bunnies unsquash him and gives hugs all around.

What I Thought:
I wasn't such a fan of the first book, but I don't think I got it. Everyone else enjoyed so I went into this book with an open mind.

While its not one of my favorites out there, I can definitely see why everyone else does! The dust bunnies are super cute and kids will love rhyming along with them. And who can't related to the big, mean dust bunny? I appreciate how he was mean to the rhyming dust bunnies they still help him when he's in trouble and the big mean dust bunny has a change of heart.

I do adore the illustrations with the super bright colors and the text balloons.

A super fun book that I can't wait to read aloud to the preschoolers at the library.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny by Jan Thomas.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Trailer

Movie set to be released on April 2, 2010. I know a lot of excited kids out there, ready to see their favorite books come to life!

(And I'm pretty excited too!)

Jerry Pinkney & Rebecca Stead's [short] Interview on the Today Show

I don't know whether to laugh or puke...

It appears that Twilight will soon have its very own series of Manga. Twilight, the graphic novel is slated to release on March 16, 2010.

Young Kim adapted the novel by Stephenie Meyer and did all the art work. (Which looks stunning, by the way.)

Entertainment Weekly shares the cover, a short excerpt and interview with Meyer on their Shelf Life blog.





I think this is pretty cool, but at the same time wonder how much more Twilight can we take? No doubt this will be be a wildly popular book. And I'm interested to check it out!

Every librarian needs one...

My friend Margie has a really cool blog called Picalicious where she and her husband (and maybe some other friends) post a picture a day for a year.

It's great fun to watch what they observe during their daily lives!

Today, she thought of me! How special?? I am so honored.

What picture did she take that reminded her of me? Well...find out!












That's right...a librarian action figure.

Although I hope I don't look quite as frumpy, even though today I sure felt like it!

Thanks Margie...I think it is super cool!

Dancing in the Winds by Debbie Allen, illustrations by Kadir Nelson

This is the story of Sassy, a young dancer who didn't quite fit the typical physical look of a ballerina, but that didn't stop her! Tall, large feet; definitely not the delicate physique of the typical ballerina.

Sassy was just that...always had something to say and never gave up, no matter who was telling her that what she wanted wasn't possible.

When the opportunity to audition for a summer dance festival in Washington DC arrives, Sassy is thrilled with the opportunity. But the other girls tease her about her size and tell her she doesn't have a shot.

In tears, Sassy leaves the class. Her uncle picks her up and encourages Sassy to hold her head high and find a way to stand out.

With a confident spirit, Sassy heads into the audition wearing a bright yellow leotard. Everyone else is in black. She definitely stands out!

But is it enough to get into the program?

What I Thought:
A wonderful story about determination, self-confidence, and perseverance...and dancing! Sassy is a lovely character who readers can look up to and learn that it doesn't matter what others say, but what you think of yourself.

The illustrations are extremely well-done, as one would expect from Nelson. He always catches the persona of the story marvelously.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen, illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

Reviewed from a library copy.

2010 ALA Youth Media Awards

Hooray! It was a fantastic morning on my couch with the YALSA Live Blog of the ALA Youth Media Awards. I never connected to the live feed, which is fine because I had horrible issues with it last year.

So here's the lowdown:

Newbery Honors:
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice written by Phillip Hoose
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate written by Jacqueline Kelly
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon written by Grace Lin
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg written by Rodman Philbrick


Newbery Medal Winner:
When You Reach Me written by Rebecca Stead

Caldecott Honors:
All the World ill by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon
Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors ill. Pamela Zagarenski written by Joyce Sidman

Caldecott Medal Winner:
The Lion & the Mouse ill & written by Jerry Pinkney

Printz Honors:
Charles & Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
Punkzilla by Adam Rapp
Tales of the Madman Underground: An Historical Romance, 1973 by John Barnes

Printz Medal Winner:
Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor:
E.B. Lewis for The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Medal:
Charles R. Smith Jr. for My People, written by Langston Hughes

Coretta Scott King Author Honor:
Tanita S. Davis for Mare's War

Coretta Scott King Author Medal Winner:
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson for Bad News for Outlaws: the Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal

Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamiliton Award for Lifetime Achievement: (1st year for this award)
Walter Dean Myers

John Steptoe Award for New Talent:
Kekla Magoon for The Rock and the River

Geisel Honors:
I Spy Fly Guy! written & ill by Tedd Arnold
Little Mouse Gets Ready written & ill by Jeff Smith
Mouse and Mole: Fine Feathered Friends written & ill by Wong Herbert Yee
Pear and Wagner: One Funny Day by Kate McMullan ill R. W. Alley

Geisel Medal Winner:
Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! written & ill by Geoffrey Hayes

Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award
2011 Lecture will be given by Lois Lowry

Alex Awards:
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
The Bride's Farewell, Meg Rosoff
Everything Matters! by Ron Currie, Jr.
The Good Soldiers by David Finkel
The Kids Are All Right: A Memoir by Diana & Liz Welch
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
My Abandonment by Peter Rock
Soulless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel by Gail Cairriger
Stitches A Memoir by David Small
Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson

Batcheldor Honors:
Big Wolf and Little Wolf written by Nadine Brun-Cosme, ill. Olivier Tallec, trans. Claudia Bedrick
Eidi by Bodil Bredsdorff, trans. Kathryn Mahaffy
Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness by Nahoko Uehashi, ill. Yuko Shimizu, trans Cathy Hirano

Batcheldor Medal Winner:
A Faraway Island by Annika Thor, trans. Linda Schenck

Belpre Illustrator Honors:
Diego: Bigger Than Life ill. by David Diaz (written by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand)
My Abuelita ill. Yuyi Morales, written by Tony Johnston
Gracias Thanks ill by John Parra, written by Pat Mora

Belpre Illustrator Award:
Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremeos El dia de los ninos/el dia de los libros ill. Rafael Lopez, written by Pat Mora

Belpre Author Honors:
Diego: Bigger Than Life written by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, ill. by David Diaz
Federico Garcia Lorca written by Georgina Lazaro ill. Enrique S. Moreiro

Belpre Author Award:
Return to Sender written by Julia Alvarez

Carnegie Medal:
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Produced by Paul R. Gagne and Mo Willems of Weston Woods

Margaret A. Edwards Award:
Jim Murphy

William C. Morris Finalists:
Ash, by Melinda Lo
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
The Everafter by Amy Huntley
hold still by Nina LaCour

William C. Murphy Winner:
Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Odyssey Honor:
In the Belly of the Bloodhound - written by L. A. Meyer
Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson

Odyssey Medal Winner:
Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken Produced by Live Oak Media written by Kate DiCamillo & narrated by Barbara Rosenblat

Schneider Awards:
Young Children's: Django written & ill by Bonnie Christensen
Middle Grades: Anything but Typical written by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Teen: Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

Sibert Honors:
The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton, ill. Tony Persiani
Moonshot written & ill by Brian Floca
Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose

Sibert Medal Winner:
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone

YALSA Award of Excellence Finalist:
Almost Astronauts by Tanya Lee Stone
The Great and Only Barnum by Candace Fleming
Written in Bone by Sally M. Walker
Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose

YALSA Award of Excellence Winner:
Charles & Emma by Deborah Heiligman---WINNER


What a great list! I'm excited that for the first time I've read the Newbery & Caldecott Medals already! And I'm about 3/4 through one of the Newbery Honors, and have read several of these listed already. But I've got a hefty reading list ahead!

I'm VERY excited for Jerry Pinkney and his The Lion and the Mouse. I had that book picked from the second I picked it up. It's that amazing.

What do you all think of today's announcements?

ALA Youth Media Awards

I'm up and ready for the Youth Media Awards, which are slated to begin at 6:45amCT. I'm bundled up on the couch, up earlier than I would be to get up for work....and I'm off work today!

I had hoped to read more books that seemed to be getting Newbery buzz...but I didn't. So I'll just say that I do hope that When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. I did read it and it really is outstanding.

And if The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney doesn't get the Caldecott, the committee has serious issues! It's an amazing book.

I'll guess we'll find out! Soon!

Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

Bear does not like birthdays,and when Mouse appears at his house ready for a birthday party, Bear is not pleased! He sends Mouse away, but we know Mouse...he doesn't give up easily!

Can Mouse win Bear over to be a fan of birthdays?

What I Thought:
A wonderful easy/first reader by Bonny Becker! If you loved A Visitor for Bear, then you'll love this one too!

This book is divided into four short chapters, perfect for the beginning reader. It's still a wonderful read aloud with a charming story and lovely ink & watercolor illustrations.

Highly Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Gooney Bird and the Room Mother by Lois Lowry, illusrated by Middy Thomas

It's another fun day in Miss Pidgeon's second grade class. The principal has asked all the students to ask their parents to be a room mother (or father) for their class. Thanksgiving is coming soon and every class needs a room parent to provide cupcakes for the annual Thanksgiving pageant.

Unfortunately none of the parents of Miss Pidgeon's students are able to volunteer for the job. What are they going to do?

Gooney Bird to the rescue! As the class prepares for it's Thanksgiving performance written by Miss Pidgeon, Gooney finds a room mother and in turn receives the honor to play Sequoya in the pageant.

Everyone is excited about the room mother, and wants to know who it is...but Gooney Bird has promised she will remain incognito until the day of the pageant.


What I Thought:
I love Gooney Bird. I think she's become one of my favorite characters out there for the 1st-4th(ish) grade crowd. She's like the precursor to a lot of the popular kid characters out there like Junie B., Clementine, Roscoe Riley, etc. So much fun.

As in all of Gooney's books, Lowry tackles a topic of language arts and intertwines it into the story. This book focuses on vocabulary and dictionary skills, which is genius!

A few black and white illustrations accompany the text and adds a great visual aspect to the story.

Another great installment in the Gooney Bird series! You can see my reviews of the others here:
Gooney Bird Greene
Gooney Bird is so Absurd
Gooney the Fabulous


Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Gooney Bird and the Room Mother by Lois Lowry, illusrated by Middy Thomas.

Reviewed from a library copy.

The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by David Roberts

"Never,' shrieked Miss Breakbone, "have I been asked to teach such a scraping together of fiddling, twiddling, time-squandering, doodling, dozing, don't-knowing dunderheads!"

What if this was your teacher?



Miss Breakbone was the meanest teacher. She hated kids. Her favorite part of her job was making kids cry, and when she accomplished this she gave herself a gold star. The class is amazingly talented in a variety of skills, from solving problems, to being nuts about bicycles, even making spitballs.

When Miss Breakbone confiscates Junkyard's ceramic cat he found and planned to give his mother for a present, the class decided enough was enough.

Together, and using the talents of the entire class, they devise a plan to retrieve the cat from the inside of Miss Breakbone's home. During a party.

It's a dangerous mission....will they succeed?


What I Thought:
This is a super fun book, perfect for the elementary reader! It's got a great and interesting plot full of interesting characters, along with a fair share of suspense. The color illustrations are a vital part of the book providing and are well done.

But what I like best about the book are all the kids with their interesting, not so normal talents. It shows that everyone is good at something, and everyone is unique! Plus, Miss Breakbone is kind of the classic "evil teacher" and those are just entertaining.

This one should be a hit!

Very highly recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by David Roberts.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

Seventeen year old Marcelo is so excited about his summer job working with the ponies at his school. You see, Marcelo goes to a special school for kids who need extra help...Marcelo has a type of autism. He hears music in his head all the time and sticks to a very strict schedule.

When his dad proposes that he work in his law firm for the summer, and if he completes this job successfully he can decide if he wants to finish his schooling at the special school or attend the local public high school. (His dad wants him to attend public school.)

So, Marcelo gives up his summer plans and works in the "real world," in the mail room of his father's law firm. For Marcelo, this is a huge deal as he has trouble with social cues so he must work extra hard to simply understand. For instance, small talk is very difficult and he takes things quite literal. He studies every night for things to talk about with his co-workers and usually has his computer handy so he can look up sayings on the Internet that he may not understand. He also befriends his boss in the mail room--Jasmine--who eventually helps him along.

Over the course of the summer, Marcelo learns all sorts of things about the real world: jealously, honesty, getting along with others, relationships, learning about the lives of others, and most of all--learning how much he really can operate in the "real world."


What I Thought:
What a great book! I was encouraged to read this book while at a literature workshop and the presenter had it picked as a contender for the Printz Award this year.

I love Marcelo. I found it absolutely fascinating to be "in his head" for the book and experience what life is like for him on a daily basis. He has a light case of Asperger's Syndrome, and his brain is simply just wired differently. What is so easy for most people is very difficult for him. Simply social interactions take great concentration and effort for Marcelo.

It was fascinating and incredibly interesting to watch Marcelo learn what the "real world" is like. This book will definitely make you think and gives a whole new aspect of those with issues in the autism spectrum.

Very highly recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Check this girl out...

I don't remember who directed me to this blog, but I'm awfully glad I found it.


This is Laura. I have not met her, and have no idea who she is...but she's an inspiration!

Laura has challenged herself to read every Newbery by the time she enters middle school. She was in second grade when she started, and now is almost finished as a fourth grader!

Go Laura go!

You've inspired me to read more of the Newbery Award winners I never read (which is, ahem, most of them). Thank you and keep up the great work!

Check out her blog here and see what she thinks of the books she's read.

Hooray for Jon Scieszka, Huzzah for Katherine Paterson

Today marks the last day of Jon Scieszka's term as the Ambassador for Children's Literature. This position was created to "raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education, and the development and betterment of the lives of young people."

I'd like to take a second to thank Scieszka for all the work he has done the last two years promoting children's literature! He especially does excellent work with his organization Guys Read that encourages males to read and promotes books written and intended for guys! Plus, he's just a great author!



Thanks Mr. Scieszka! You've been a great Ambassador!

Today, the new Ambassador was chosen: Katherine Paterson. What a wonderful choice and I know that she will do an excellent job with this position! She's another wonderful author and I'm excited to see what she does during her term.

The Eternal Smile: Three Stories by Gene Luen Yang

In this collection of three short stories in graphic novel format, Luen tells some tales of fantasy and explores the idea of good vs. evil.

Duncan's Kingdom: When the love of Duncan's life, a princess, puts out a challenge Duncan goes forth to look for the King Frog. When he brings back his head, he will win her hand in marriage. He has a fantastic adventure, but is everything as it seems.

Gran'Pa Greenbax and the Eternal Smile: Gran'Pa Greenbux is all about money. He wants enough money to be able to dive to the bottom of his gold and not not hit the bottom! He demands his worker Filbert to find a way for him to make more and he directs him to a smile that appears to be coming from the sky. Gran'Pa creates a church to get donations from his parishioners...but Gran'Pa is surprised by shocking reality.

Urgent Request: Janet is stuck in a boring nine to five job and her request for a promotion is rudely shot down. When she receives an email from a Nigerian prince asking for money, she complies...time after time. We all know its a scam, but does Janet?


What I Thought:
I loved Yang's American Born Chinese so I was excited to pick up this collection. I enjoyed the setup of the three short stories, and how they really all fit together with the classic good vs. evil plot. Each story also brings to light a more serious issue under the disguise of a great fantasy plot. I love stories that make you think!

Wonderful illustrations, in true Yang style!

Highly recommended.


Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Eternal Smile by Gene Luen Yang.

Reviewed from a library copy.

The Book Challenge of 2010...the running list

Check out the books I've read this year! Check out my goals here.


1. Gooney Bird and the Room Mother by Lois Lowry
2. The Eternal Smile by Gene Luen Yang
3. Where the Mountain Meets the Mood by Grace Lin
4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
5. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
6. Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg
7.  The Baby-Sitters Club: The Summer Before by Ann M. Martin (ARC)
8.  Slob by Ellen Potter
9.  The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis by Barbara O'Connor
10. Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford
11. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
12. Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
13. Oggie Cooder by Sara Weeks
14. Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
15.  The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
16.  Band Geeked Out by Josie Bloss
17.  Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan 
18.  Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
19.  God's Promises for Boys by Jack Countryman and Amy Parker
20.  A Brand-New Me! by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
21.  Lawn Boy Returns by Gary Paulsen
22.  Pictures of Hollis Wood by Patricia Reilly Giff
23.  The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
24.  Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
25.  Little Blog on the Prairie by Cathleen Davitt Bell 
26.  Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (again!)  See my review here from when I read it in 2008. 
27.  Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
28.  Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (again). See my review here from when I read it in 2008. 
29.  The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 
30.  Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
31.  Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff
32. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
33.  Clementine, Friend of the Week by Sara Pennypacker
34.  House Rules by Jodi Picoult
35.  Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
36.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett 
37.  Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
38.  The First Part Last by Angela Johnson (again)
39.  Heaven by Angela Johnson
40.  Sweet, Hereafter by Angela Johnson
41.  Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half by Steve and Annette Economides
42.  The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements

43.  If I Stay by Gayle Forman

44.  84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
45.  Oogy: The only dog a family could love by Larry Levin
46.  Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes
47. Bobby the Brave (Sometimes) by Lisa Yee
48.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney 
49.  One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
50.  Two Times the Fun by Beverly Cleary
51.  Crunch by Leslie Connor
52.  Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo, Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile
53.  Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Shane Prigmore
54.  Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
55.   The Memory Bank by Carolyn Coman and Rob Shepperson

Well, it looks like I made just over half of my reading goal!

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Ronnie was not happy about spending the summer with her father in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is a city girl...her home is in New York City. Plus, she hasn't spoken to her father in three years, when he and her mom divorced.

Ronnie's first friend is not someone who has her best intentions at hand, and starts hanging out with a rough group. When she is accused of stealing, Ronnie's situation becomes dire. She has a record of theft in NYC, and this arrest could land Ronnie in jail.

While she waits for her court date, she befriends a nice young man who she eventually falls in love with and over time heals the relationship with her father.

It's a summer she'll never forget, full of fun, laughter, sadness and tears.

What I Thought:
Another great Nicholas Spark novel! Make sure to have a box of Kleenex handy for this one!

I enjoyed the transformation Ronnie experienced in this novel. She went from a spoiled bratty girl, to a wonderful young woman.

A great book for a light read, and one that teens could enjoy as well.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks.

Reviewed from a personal copy.