Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks: Confessions of April Grace

Cliques, Hicks and Ugly Sticks is the second book in the “Confessions of April Grace” series by KD McCrite. This time, readers join April Grace as she starts middle school and prepares for a big change in her family.

April Grace is as funny as ever, and there were frequently points in the story where I laughed out loud. I thought that April Grace seemed older than 11 in the first book, but I don’t know that I think that in this book. There were spots when I did, but also quite a few instances where she seemed very much 11-years old.

Middle school proves to be a confusing adventure for April Grace as she deals with cliques for the first time, struggles with Algebra and wonders why all the girls are fussing over their hair, their outfits and boys. April Grace still considers boys nothing but a nuisance, so it will be interesting to see if her opinions start to change in book 3.

There is also a big change coming to the Reilly household. April Grace and Myra Sue know something is wrong with their mother, but are shocked to learn that a new baby will be joining the family. I really liked this subplot in the book, as April Grace slowly begins to accept this change. I thought her feelings were very real and very age appropriate.

With her mother on near bed rest, direction of the annual Christmas pageant falls to Isabel St. James. Isabel is making improvements in her behavior, but still frequently lapses into spoiled, cranky fits. She surprises everyone, most of all herself, when she realizes that she can command the attention and respect of a group of middle schoolers who would rather be almost anywhere else.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read. I think it would be appropriate for almost any age group. It’s geared toward Tweens, but I enjoyed it as a light read as an adult.

Note: I received a copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Wonder of Your Love

“The Wonder of Your Love” is the second novel in the Land of Caanan series. The nice thing about this series (at least these first two books) is that they are not sequential books about the same character. The first book, “Seek Me With All Your Heart,” was about two different characters who live in the same community of Caanan. You can read them independently without feeling like you are missing part of the story.

This book centers around Katie Ann Stoltzfus, a widow raising her late-in-life first baby. She meets and forms a friendship with Eli Detweiler, a relative of a family friend. They are attracted to each other, but neither one wants to start a relationship due to their very different stages in life. He has finished raising his children; she is just beginning.

This book was unlike many other Amish books that I have read. It provided a different portrait of the Amish. Granted, most Amish fiction seems to be a bit romanticized and idealized – but this book did a good job of portraying the Amish as real people with real problems. Despite living apart, they go through tough times the same way anyone else does. For example, Katie Ann is reeling from her deceased husband’s infidelity and the unanswered questions about his feelings and commitment to her.

I also enjoyed the character of Martha in the story. She is Katie Ann’s English friend who has been accepted into the Amish community. Martha is almost a second mother to Katie, a woman with a somewhat gruff exterior but a kind heart. She considers herself to be honest, forthright and a “snappy dresser.” I thought she was a hoot and added humor and liveliness into the story.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and liked the different perspective the author brings to Amish fiction.

Note: I received a copy of this book free of charge from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.