ReadingGrrls Paper Safari

Title:   The Murder of Adam and Eve by William Dietrich Publisher: Burrows Publishing Pages: 306 Format: E-Galley Genre: YA I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com  in exchange for a fair review. Synopsis: Two teens time-travel to prehistoric Africa to judge whether to save our ancestors: the genetic "Adam" and "Eve" whose descendants will go on to populate the world. When 16-year-old Nick Brynner explores an old fort on a forbidden island for a school history project, he stumbles onto a time wormhole. What follows is a mysteriously deserted village with a prowling sentry that looks like a gargoyle, and narrow escape with the help of fellow teen Eleanor Terrell. The two are hurtled into a grim series of challenges by an alien race called the Xu, which are considering a Reset of human history because of our poor planetary stewardship. If Adam and Eve are murdered, will another couple, or another species, do better? Ni...

Title:   The Day The Storm Came: A Therapeutic Story for children who have experienced loss by Helen Lees Publisher: Amazon Digital Services Pages: 17 pages Format: e-book Genre: Children, Trauma Synopsis: Shuffelump's world feels safe, happy and predictable until The Day The Storm Came and his world changed forever. He experiences pain and loneliness and longs for the return of his safe world. Shuffelump has the courage to allow his feelings to surface and then through showing kindness, Shuffelump feels love within himself again. Review:  This book is great for children who have experienced any type of loss or even a change in circumstance. Through a simple story and cute photos it helps kids realize that despite changes that may have happened in their lives and any sadness they are feeling at the moment the sun will come out again.

Title:   When by Victoria Laurie Publisher: Disney Hyperion Pages: 336 Format: E-galley Genre: YA I received this as an advance e-galley from the publisher through netgalley.com in exchange for a fair review. This book is set to be released January 13, 2015 Synopsis: Maddie Fynn is a shy high school junior, cursed with an eerie intuitive ability: she sees a series of unique digits hovering above the foreheads of each person she encounters. Her earliest memories are marked by these numbers, but it takes her father's premature death for Maddie and her family to realize that these mysterious digits are actually death dates, and just like birthdays, everyone has one. Forced by her alcoholic mother to use her ability to make extra money, Maddie identifies the quickly approaching death date of one client's young son, but because her ability only allows her to see the when and not the how, she's unable to offer any more insight. When the boy goes missing on that...

Title:  Orphan Train: A Novel by Christina Baker Kline Publisher:  Pocket Books Pages:  528 Format:  Paperback Genre:  Mystery/thriller/suspense Synopsis:  Orphan Train  is a gripping story of friendship and second chances. Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to “aging out” out of the foster care system. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse...  As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren't as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance.  Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life – answers that will ultimately free them both. Review: Flipping ...

Title:   The Great Trials of Clarence Darrow: The Landmark Cases of Leopold and Loeb, John T. Scopes, and Ossian Sweet by Donald McRae Publisher: Harper Perennial Pages: 448 Format: paperback Genre: Non-fiction / law Synopsis:  One of the most famous, if controversial, lawyers in America, defense attorney Clarence Darrow was sixty-seven years old in 1924. His reputation was in tatters after a scandalous trial in Los Angeles and his life and career appeared almost over. Then, in rapid succession, he found himself at the forefront of three remarkable courtroom dramas. Each was dubbed "the Trial of the Century" by the press: the trial of teenage Chicago "thrill killers" Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb; Tennessee's infamous Scopes Monkey Trial, later immortalized in the play  Inherit the Wind ; and the incendiary case of Ossian Sweet, an African American man accused of murder while defending his Detroit home against a white mob. Review: Clarence Darrow ...