What does it take to be a great actress? Annabel is beginning to find out as she prepares for her 1st part in a REAL play! But first, she must overcome a big slobbering dog, a ridiculous costume, and her long-time enemy Lowell Boxer because, 'the show must go on!'

Similar authors: Patricia Reilly Giff

Similar books: Annabel the Actress Starring in Camping It Up by Ellen Conford; Annabel the Actress Starring in Just a Little Extra by Ellen Conford; Annabel the Actress Starring in Gorilla My Dreams by Ellen Conford

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/20/2009

ISBN-10: 0689847343

ISBN-13: 9780689847349

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Are you in the mood for fantasy? Mystery? Historical fiction? How about adventure? The Apothecary has all of these things to offer, and more. The year is 1952. Fourteen year old Janie has spent her whole life in sunny Los Angeles, where her parents are writers for television. When the feds start questioning them about their Communist sympathies, they decide to move to London. Janie is sent to a private school, where she is sure she won't fit in. She meets a defiant classmate named Benjamin there, and he would rather be a spy than follow in his father's footsteps. His father is the neighborhood apothecary, but the two friends soon find out that he does far more than sell aspirin and hot water bottles. He is actually an alchemist, and in possession of a 700 year old book of formulas that can do everything from turn you invisible to transform you into a pile of salt. Janie and Benjamin are swept up into an adventure where scientists aren't just scientists and they must race to stop the Russians from setting off a nuclear bomb. This fast paced story gives a good picture of what life was like after WWII, and stirs the imagination as well.

Similar books: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle; The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award

Awards nominated: 2014 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 10/4/2012

ISBN-10: 039925627X

ISBN-13: 9780399256271

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A prize pumpkin has disappeared, and the Bear Detectives are on the case! Papa Bear and the little bears use different methods. Will it be Great Bear Detective Pop and his trusty dog, Snuff, or the little Bear Detectives who solve the case first? Check out this colorful, funny, rhyming beginning reader! (Reading Level: 3.3)

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 5/27/2011

ISBN-13: 9780394831275

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Ludlow Fitch has quite a thrilling tale to tell. His life so far has been far from easy. In fact, it has been difficult working as a pickpocket and trying to stay out of jail. Everything changes when he meets the pawnbroker who pays cash for people's darkest secrets. As Ludlow transcribes secrets into the black leatherbound book, he ponders what good will come of trading secrets and fears and also the danger that could come if the book gets into the wrong hands.

Similar books: The Magic Thief books by Sarah Prineas

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 9/4/2009

ISBN-10: 0312368445

ISBN-13: 9780312368449

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Juliana's parents have separated and her mom has decided to move to an artists' colony with Juliana and her younger siblings. Just as they are all beginning to settle into their new home, Juliana's mom's college girlfriend, Liza, is discovered dead. Juliana is determined to find out who killed Liza before the killer strikes again. This determination causes her to be suspicious of everything and everyone. As Juliana becomes deeper and deeper into the murder mystery, buried memories from her childhood begin to surface. This book keeps you guessing who the murderer is till the very end.

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 10/10/2011

ISBN-10: 0152054790

ISBN-13: 9780152054793

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