Book Review: Tangled

Tangled by Carolyn Mackler. Grades 7+. HarperTeen, December 2009. Reviewed from ARC provided by publisher.

Carolyn Mackler does it again in this compulsively readable novel about four teens whose lives become connected after a spring vacation at a Caribbean resort. Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen each have their own issues and when their lives briefly touch at Paradise resort, they have no idea how it'll effect them.

I love Carolyn Mackler and I was so excited to see that she has a new book coming out! Once I started it, I absolutely couldn't put it down.

The story is more like four connected novellas, each from a different perspective. First we get Jena's point of view. She's a somewhat frumpy girl who's mortified when her mom tells her they'll be spending spring break at a resort with her mom's best friend and her daughter Skye. Skye is perfect. She's thin and beautiful, attends a prestigious private school, has a gorgeous boyfriend, and acts on TV and in movies. Their moms can't seem to understand that the two girls hate being pushed together, expected to be friends because their moms are friends. Don't they get that Jena and Skye have nothing in common?

I fell in love with Jena and would have been quite happy reading an entire book about her, but then we move on to Dakota's story. And then Skye's story. And then Owen's. With each transition I felt a little jarred, but quickly fell into each of the different stories. And with each perspective change, we find out how the trip to Paradise and the events that happened there have changed everything.

Would you call this an issue book? Hmm. There are a lot of issues involved. Each character has his or her own Problem. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll leave it at that. You might call this an issue book. But I think the story was more about each character's journey - dealing with the issues that they have and taking a hard look at their own lives. About each character coming to realize that she can change her life. What happened in the past doesn't have to dictate who you are in the future.

Tangled is out on December 29, so when your Cybils shortlist is in, take a short reading break, but not too long because you won't want to wait to pick this one up!

Twelve Days of Giving: A Few of My Favorite Things

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

Well, here we are on the last day of giving. Thanks for tuning in, everybody! I'd like to wrap up by featuring my favorite books of 2009 that haven't yet been mentioned. Happy reading!

The Underwear Salesman: And Other Jobs for Better or Verse by J. Patrick Lewis. (Grades K-5.) This book includes funny, funny poems about all sorts of weird and wacky jobs from underwear salesmen to the Queen of England and more. They're sure to have you laughing along. Recommended for fans of silly poetry (like Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky).

Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian. (Grades K-5.) Dinothesaurus is a collection of poems about (what else?) dinosaurs. With his signature word play and detailed paintings, Florian's latest collection is sure to please young dino-fanatics. Read my full review of Dinothesaurus.



When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton. (Grades 6-10.) Told in a series of vignettes, all set on All Hallow's Eve from 1943 to 1949, When the Whistle Blow is the story of a child turning into a man. Of a small town boy coming to grips with the fact that the world is changing, that things can't stay the same. Read my full review of When the Whistle Blows.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. (Grades 5-8.) It's 1978. Twelve-year-old Miranda lives in New York City, walking to school each day with her best friend Sal and reading A Wrinkle in Time more times than she can count. But then everything changes. Sal refuses to walk to school with Miranda. And Miranda starts finding notes left for her in strange places. Notes that caution her not to tell anyone about them. Notes that seem to predict the future. And if Miranda can figure out who's leaving the notes and what they're telling her to do, she might be able to prevent a tragic death. Read my full review of When You Reach Me.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. (Grades 6+) Besides having a super-interesting premise, I was drawn into stories about two characters that I immediately liked. Short chapters that switch between Alek's and Deryn's points of view kept the action moving. The world-building is done effortlessly. The fictional world was being built around me as I read and it felt very organic, which is just how it should feel. I wanted to know more, wanted to stay in this world and learn more about it. Excellent. Read my full review of Leviathan.

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork. (Grades 9+) 17-year old Marcelo has his future planned out. He'll work training horses this summer at his school, a special school for kids with disabilities. In the fall, he'll return to Paterson for his senior year and then go to college to study nursing. But Marcelo's dad has other plans for him. Arturo would like Marcelo to join "the real world" by working at his law firm for the summer and attending a typical high school in the fall. They make a deal. If Marcelo gets through the summer working at the law firm, adapting to new situations and following the rules of the real world, then Marcelo can choose what school he attends in the fall. But the real world is more complicated, beautiful, and frightening than Marcelo could ever have imagined. Read my full review of Marcelo in the Real World.

Need more gift ideas? Liz is a dear and she's collected a round-up of gift-giving posts around the Kidlitosphere. Do check them out. And of course, be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Twelve Days of Giving: My Favorite Nonfiction for the Older Set

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

It's Nonfiction Monday again and today I'll be featuring my favorite nonfiction books for older readers. (Check out last week's post with my favorite nonfiction for younger readers.) Nonfiction can be a great gift choice because many kids and teens love to learn about subjects that interest them. Find out if they have a hobby or a particular interest and pick up a book on that subject! Or take a look at one of these...

Middle Grades:

Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka* by Jon Scieszka. Jon Scieszka was the second-oldest of six boys in his family and oh the scrapes they got themselves into. Whether they're peeing on space heaters or selling each other clean clothes, the hilarity never stops. Short chapters, gross-out factor, and the hijinx will appeal to reluctant readers. Read my full review of Knucklehead.

Just the Right Size: Why Big Animals Are Big and Little Animals Are Little by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Neal Layton. How come whales are so big and mice are so little? Why is it impossible for giants to exist? What I love about this book is that it presents seemingly complicated information in a really accessible format. Hand this one to curious kids who don't (yet!) know they're interested in physics. Read my full review of Just the Right Size.

Lucy Long Ago: Uncovering the Mystery of Where We Came From by Catherine Thimmesh. This is a great choice for your budding archaeologist or any kid interested in scientific procedure. When Lucy, an early hominid, was discovered in 1974, scientists immediately had questions. In Lucy Long Ago we follow scientists as they set about answering their questions. Read my full review of Lucy Long Ago.

Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Union by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Jef Czekaj. If you're buying for an American history buff this holiday season, consider this book about the Constitutional Convention. After the American Revolution, the thirteen states needed some kind of central government to unite them. With concise and accessible prose, Jules explains how this happened and why it was important. Read my full review of Unite or Die.

Toys!: Amazing Stories Behind Some Great Inventions by Don Wulffson, illustrated by Laurie Keller. Ever wondered where your favorite toys came from? Toys! has interesting facts and the stories behind many toys from Slinkies to GI Joe to Raggedy Anne. This is a great choice for kids interested in trivia and odd facts. Pair the book with one of the toys mentioned within!

The Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia. This irreverent history book explores rumors about various members of European royalty. Was Prince Dracula really a vampire? Was Henry VIII so fat that servants had to carry him around? Did Marie Antoinette really say "Let them eat cake!"? These rumors and more are explored in the book. Great for kids interested in European history, kings, and queens.

YA:

Charles and Emma by Deborah Heiligman. (Grades 7-12.) Incorporating excerpts from many of the letters that Charles Darwin and his wife Emma wrote to each other, this is a biography told through the lens of Charles' and Emma's relationship. The letters help evoke a real sense of place and time and bring Charles Darwin to life in a way that's pretty unique. I'd consider this one for fans of Jane Austen. Read my full review of Charles and Emma.

The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir by Cylin Busby and John Busby. (Grades 9-12.) When John Busby, a police officer, was shot in the line of duty, everything changed for the Busby family. Here, John and his daughter Cylin share their story of the aftermath of that shooting and the painful road to recovery. If you've got a fan of crime and mystery novels, take a look at this one. Read my full review of The Year We Disappeared.

Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers by Nancy Amanda Redd. (Grades 7+) Now, I have to give a caveat that, while this is an excellent book, it's probably not the book that your daughter/niece/goddaughter wants to unwrap in front of the entire family. Providing tons of great information about girls' bodies and photos of real girls (not models), Body Drama should be required reading for teen girls! Find a quiet time to slip this book to the young lady who might have some questions about her body. Read my full review of Body Drama.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

And for more reviews of nonfiction books, check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at Rasco from RIF!

*YES! I already featured this one, but what can I say? That's how much I enjoyed it!

Twelve Days of Giving: Drama Queens

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

If you've got a drama queen to buy for this winter, this list is for you. And by "drama queen", I mean someone who's totally into acting and theatre, of course!

Dramarama by E. Lockhart is a story about a girl from a razzle-dazzle-deprived small town who dreams of making it big. When she and her best friend Demi go to summer theatre camp, Sarah's sure that she's going to steal the show and find true love. Well, things don't turn out exactly as she had planned... If you're buying for a teen who loves musicals, take a gander at this one.

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson. Scarlett Martin is pretty sure it's going to be a totally boring summer. All her best friends have left New York to do fun things because their families have lots of money. Scarlett is stuck in NYC working at her family's run-down hotel. But things start looking a little more interesting when a wealthy, eccentric actress moves into the hotel for the summer. And then Scarlett meets Eric, a hunky actor who's friends with her brother. Maybe this summer won't be so boring after all... (Read my full review of Suite Scarlett.)

And if you've got a Shakespeare fan in your midst, consider Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev. Bertie has been raised in the Theatre Illuminata, a magical theatre where the Players (characters of every play in existence) live, just waiting until show time. When evil forces threaten to destroy the theatre, Bertie must find it in herself to save the only home she's ever known. (Read my full review of Eyes Like Stars.) Pair it with a volume or set of complete Shakespeare works.

I can't resist a plug for Babymouse: The Musical by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. The school's putting on a musical and when dreamy British newcomer Henry encourages Babymouse to try out she can't help but show up at auditions. When she's given the part of Felicia's understudy, Babymouse is sure she'll never get on stage. With tons of musical references (from Phantom to West Side Story to Evita to Fiddler and more!), this is a surefire hit with any fan of musicals. What can I say? I love me some Babymouse.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Twelve Days of Giving: Let It Snow

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

Today, I'm just featuring one book for you. I posted a review of Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle last year AFTER Christmas. Which is kind of too late for the stocking-stuffery goodness that is this book. Hence, I re-post.

*~*~*~*

Okay, with three YA powerhouses joining forces to write delightful, funny, sweet Christmas stories, how can you go wrong?

Um... you can't. At least not in my opinion.

I really wanted to get this review up before the holiday because I think it makes a fantastic stocking stuffer. But, uh, that didn't happen. You should still read this book.

Here's a bit of a summary from Amazon: "A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks."

I loved these stories because they're funny. They're sweet, but not over-the-top romantic mush. They're smart. They're about smart, imperfect characters. And they fit really well together. Characters from the first story show up in the other two (and vice versa). Perhaps my favorite scene is at the very end where all the major characters end up together in a Starbucks.

Let it Snow is a feel-good read for the discerning teen reader. Highly recommended for fans of any of the three authors. Read more (better) reviews at Parenthetical.net, Fyrefly's Book Blog, and Pop Culture Junkie.

*~*~*~*

Review of Let It Snow was originally posted December 30, 2008. Copy was lent to me by my awesome friend J.

Let it Snow is perfect Christmas Day reading, snug by the fireplace. If you have Nerdfighters on your shopping list, don't miss this one! It'll be a favorite that your teen will bring out every winter.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Twelve Days of Giving: Falalalala

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

Know a band geek? A first-chair violinist? Or any musically-inclined teens or tweens? Today you're in luck because today's list features books about young musicians.

The Rising Star of Rusty Nail by Lesley M.M. Blume. Living in the tiny town of Rusty Nail, Minnesota during the Cold War, Franny is certain that her talents as a pianist will forever go unnoticed. Then Franny gets a stroke of good luck. One of the young bachelors in town gets married to a Russian woman and brings her back to Rusty Nail. When Franny discovers that Olga is an accomplished pianist, she will stop at nothing until Olga agrees to give her lessons. But can she convince her? And is Olga a Russian spy? And will the rumor-mongering townspeople drive Olga away before Franny becomes rich and famous?

The Mozart Season by Virginia Euwer Wolff was a favorite of mine when I was a tween musician. I read it again and again. When Allegra Shapiro decides to enter a prestigious violin competition, she spends the summer preparing for it. This meant a lot to me since I was a young musician, too.

And, of course, you'll also want to pick up Good Enough by Paula Yoo for that young musician. Patti Yoon is a gifted musician and a perpetual parent-pleaser with her straight A's and Ivy League aspirations. When Patti sets eyes on the dreamy Ben at All-State Orchestra auditions, everything begins to change. And Patti begins to realize that "her" dream of attending an ivy league school was actually her parents' dream. She starts figuring out that "successful" is not necessarily the same as "happy" and that she'd better think about what she wants for her future. (Read my full review of Good Enough.)

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. Zoe Elias dreams of playing the piano at Carnegie Hall. She's certain that just given the chance, she might turn out to be a prodigy. She's picturing playing recitals on a grand piano while elegant people dressed in their finest sit in the audience. Imagine her surprise when, instead of the piano she was so hoping for, her parents get her an organ. An organ that comes with lessons from Maybeline Person and her book of organ songs... Hits from the 70s.

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson. JJ and his family have been noticing that lately there's not enough time in the day to get everything done. When JJ discovers a time leak between his world and the world of faerie, he'll have to figure out how to fix it. Irish music plays a huge part in the story, so I highly recommend the audiobook (which includes snippets of music between each chapter) or pairing this one with a CD of Celtic music!

Band Geek Love by Josie Bloss. Senior Ellie Snow knows that this year will be the best ever. She's trumpet section leader with her very own solo. Her best friend is drum major. Nothing will stop her!! Until an uber cute guy distracts her, causing her to flub her solo on the last day of band camp. And then she finds out that this kid is joining her section without having gone through band camp. Control-freak Ellie is pissed... until she takes a better look at him and discovers that she just might have a tiny crush on him... and he just might like her back. Don't forget to pair this one with its sequel, Band Geeked Out. Perfect for the drum majors in your life.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Third Hunger Games book coming in August!

Big news tonight... Scholastic has announced that the third book in the Hunger Games series will be published August 24, 2010. The title has not yet been released.

Say it with me, now:

*Squeee!*

Thanks to @Miss_Tammy for the head's up!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled evening.

Twelve Days of Giving: Books for Those Boys

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

But what do we buy for the boys??? Nonfiction on a topic that interests them is always a good bet, but here are some other suggestions, too.

For younger boys:

Wanna know our most popular requests from little guys at the library? Trains, quickly followed by dinosaurs. How lucky that there are a couple of books that COMBINE THE TWO. If you want to be a Story Hero in the eyes of your little guy, consider All Aboard the Dino Train by Deb Lund and Dinosaur Train by John Steven Gurney.

Truckery Rhymes by Jon Scieszka. Jon Scieszka's Truck Town books have been a huge hit with the kids at my library. Bright pictures and funny text feature trucks, trucks and, well, more trucks. This is perfect for the vehicle enthusiast on your list.

And speaking of our Ambassador for Young People's Literature, you also shouldn't overlook his The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Written by Scieszka and Lane Smith, this is a great choice for elementary students with its wacky, irreverent humor. When I broke it out in After School Adventures, they begged me to read story after story.

Another author wildly popular with boys at my library is David Shannon. A particular favorite seems to be No, David! When David breaks all the rules, he's constantly hearing "No, David!" Exuberant illustrations accompany simple text that'll have the boys giggling for sure.

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex is another great choice for elementary kids. From Frankenstein to zombies to the Phantom of the Opera (who can't get the song It's a Small World out of his head), all kinds of monsters appear in the humorous poems within this book. Can't get enough? Make sure you pick up the sequel - Frankenstein Takes the Cake.

For older boys:

Annnd I'm back to Scieszka (what can I say? He's awesome!). Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka is a mostly true story about Jon's childhood growing up with five brothers. It's laugh-out-loud funny and the short chapters and photos included will appeal to reluctant readers as well as voracious ones. Read my full review of Knucklehead.

The number one most requested children's book at my library? Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. Hands down. The newest installment, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, just came out in October and makes a perfect gift. Pair it with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book or a journal of your choice to fan the creative spark within.

If you're buying for a guy who loves action-packed tales, look no further than Percy Jackson and the Olympians. With the movie coming out in February, there's no better time to get your guy started on this excellent series. Start with the first book, The Lightning Thief, or go hog wild and get this nifty Percy Jackson and the Olympians boxed set. Pair it with a promise to see the movie together when it comes out.

Can a book about cancer be funny? It can when it's by Jordan Sonnenblick. Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie is one of my all-time favorites. Steven's minding his own business, playing the drums and crushing on a hot girl at his school when his five-year-old brother is diagnosed with leukemia and everything changes. What could be a truly depressing storyline is treated with Sonnenblick's incomparable humor. It's a story with a lot of heart and a lot of laughs.

If you're buying for a guy who likes his books on the scary side, take a look at Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman. To be completely honest it's been almost a year since I read Ryan's story about what happened at the dredge and it still gives me the heebie-jeebies. The text is linked with online videos that continue and add to the story, giving a unique element to the story.

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver is another one of my all-time favorites. This is an action-packed story set in prehistoric times. When Torak's father is killed by an evil spirit bear, Torak is charged with saving the world. Only... he has no idea how to go about doing it. Thus begins the first book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series.

Find more ideas for the guys on your holiday gift-giving lists at Guys Lit Wire (for teens) and Guysread.com.

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Twelve Days of Giving: More for Twilighters

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

Last year's sixth day of giving featured books for the Twilighters in your life. As the numbers of Twilighters grow and grow, I have a couple additions to that list (for YAs and adults, say grades 9+).

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. Ever since she was attacked by wolves as a child, Grace has felt a special bond with a particular wolf that appears in the woods outside her house every winter. After wolves attack one of her classmates, Grace's wolf appears to her one night... as a human. Sam. And Grace knows that she loves him. But she also knows that she's going to lose him. For as the temperature drops, Sam's days as a human are drawing to a close. And to be together, Grace and Sam have to be willing to risk everything.

Girls on Team Jacob will eat this one up (and maybe some on Team Edward, too.)

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce. Viola was so in love with her boyfriend Lawrence that when he announced that he was gay, it broke Viola's world. She doesn't know who she is anymore. And when a jinn shows up to offer her three wishes, she wants to take her time deciding, even though Jinn is impatient to get back to his home world. But the longer Jinn stays, the more Viola realizes that there's something special about him. And if she makes all three wishes, Jinn will go back to his world. A bird and a fish might fall in love, but where would they live?

As You Wish is very different in tone from the Twilight books, but the wonderful romance will satisfy Twilight fans.

These next two are not books that I've read myself, but from what I hear they may be perfectly suited to the Twilighter on your gift-giving list.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Here's the publisher's summary:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Fallen by Lauren Kate. Here's the publisher's summary:

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Consider one of these titles (or one of these titles) for the Twilight fan on your list!

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!

Twelve Days of Giving: Books Into Movies II

Welcome to Twelve Days of Giving, where I post for twelve days and recommend books for your holiday giving!

I posted about some book-and-DVD pairings last year, but this year I have some more ideas. Here are some book-and-movie pairings for your tweens and teens.

In Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma, thirteen-year-old Danielle is dealing with her parents' recent divorce. Just like in the noir films she loves, she's starting to realize that she doesn't know who she can trust and when a mystery crops up, Dani just might be the femme fatale to solve it. Pair this with any of the films Dani loves in the book - Notorious, Gilda, The Third Man, Sorry Wrong Number...

The Year of the Bomb by Ronald Kidd was one of my favorite tween titles of the year. Paul and his friends are excited to find out that a movie is being filmed in their small California town, but they soon get caught up in the McCarthyism that's running rampant in 1956. When I read this one, all the details about the filming of the movie made me really curious to watch Invasion of the Body Snatchers, so pair that DVD with the book for fans of historical fiction or B-movies.

This year marked the 40th anniversary of the first moonwalk. If you're buying for a tween or teen interested in space, pair Mission Control, This is Apollo by Andrew Chaikin and Alan Bean with the movie Apollo 13. Mission Control, This is Apollo takes a look at all the different Apollo missions with stunning paintings by astronaut Alan Bean. Also consider pairing it with the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.

I discovered the PBS miniseries Frontier House and Colonial House this year and they would be perfect to pair with historical fiction from those time periods. For Frontier House, I'd go with Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Lawson. When orphan Hattie discovers that a long-lost uncle has left her a plot of land in Montana, she goes to claim it, but there's much work to be done - can she get it done in time to meet the deadline? For Colonial House, I'd go with The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. When Kit Tyler moves to the Puritan colonies from the warm Caribbean islands, she'll have to learn an entirely new way of living. Her friendship with an older woman of the colony makes it easier... until she is accused of witchcraft.

If you've got historical-minded tweens to buy for, any of these would make a great choice!

Be sure and check out the rest of the 2009 Twelve Days of Giving and the 2008 Twelve Days of Giving for more ideas!