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Cindy M
An accountant and CPA by profession, I found myself a book reviewer for Squeaky Clean Reads by happenstance. When the opportunity came to transform that website into Compass Book Ratings, I was excited to seize it and meld my business background with my love of books. As the mother of three teenage sons, I have read a large number of children and young adult books and I believe that there is great value in a content review service. As much as we would love to read everything our children read, there just isn’t enough time. I also appreciate being able to select books for myself that are really worth my precious and limited reading time. I believe there is a book out there for everyone–they just have to find it!
The voice of protagonist Hayley Kincain is what hooks the reader in The Impossible Knife of Memory, and author Laurie Halse Anderson's talent and gift for engaging and snappy young adult dialogue is w…
On January 27, 2014 the ALA announced the 2014 John Newbery Medal and Honor Books.  Sadly, our nomination was not named.  Joyfully, we can say that we have no major complaints about the books that did…
Tesla's Attic by Neal Schusterman and Eric Elfman is middle grade science fiction that pushes the boundaries of science almost to the realm of fantasy--and that is okay.  Starting with the premise tha…
In Paperboy, the protagonist is 11 year old Victor.  Victor keeps to himself, but he has a lot of deep thoughts that he can't articulate because he has a severe stutter.  Eleven going o…
Thirteen year old Bennett Robinson is an eighth grader with some serious challenges, but the reader can't help but cheer for him each step of the way.  Bennett is a good guy trying to make some c…
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a classic with good reason.  The premise of a handsome young man who exchanges his soul for eternal youth is a fantastical one, but the novel's themes have…
Superb sports fiction writing!  Author Paul Volponi captures the drive, intensity, personalities, and dynamics of basketball in his novel The Final Four.  Volponi masterfully avoids two pitfalls that …
Kelsey Green, Reading Queen is a chapter book directed at readers ages seven to nine.  Author Claudia Mills charmingly captures the profile of a third grade, competitive reading addict and what length…
I must confess that the cover captured me.  I picked up this title, saw that it was a novel "in verse," subsequently put down the title, and ultimately picked it up again.  I am glad that I did becaus…
Don't let the commercial hype scare you off--this is quality storytelling. Shannon Hale rises to the occasion and delivers a fun, exciting story that adds class to Mattel's doll franchise of the same …
It seems that Hollywood's favorite scripts these days are all comic books or books.  Hollywood loves an already established audience and fan base so it has been producing movie versions of books, part…
Adored it!  Adored everything about the young heroine Ophelia--from her smudged glasses to her inhaler, from her scientific thinking to her utter determination, and especially her brave heart! Th…