What Remains by Helene Dunbar

It was always the three of them -- Cal, Spencer, and Lizzie -- ever since first grade.  They were best friends so tight they were almost one person.  Cal and Spencer devoted themselves to keeping Lizzie safe -- from her mother, depression, and life.

Then in an instant everything changes in one car accident.

Lizzie is dead.
Cal required a heart transplant that takes away his life plan of playing baseball.

Now Cal is trying to deal with his grief and guilt from the accident.

He also must deal with Lizzie's heart (now inside him).  It's talking to him and influencing him in ways he can't control.

Cal always thought he and his friends could overcome anything.  Now he's now sure if just him and Spencer will be okay without Lizzie.



While this is obviously not a "happy" story, it is engrossing to read.  Cal immediately grabs your attention so that you want to know if and how he heals.  I found this book ultimately to be very optimistic.  I would definitely recommend this book to all teens.

The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Loftin

Lorelei's new school is amazing.  The students get to decide whether to study what the teacher is teaching.  They can walk out of the classroom whenever they like.  They're fed two mouth-watering meals a day and given bowls of candy at their desks.  And the playground is every child's dream.

But there is something sinister going on at Splendid Academy!

Lorelei's teacher Ms. Morrigan seems to be fattening up the students with all the food she is forcing them to eat.  Lorelei and her new friend Andrew start to wonder if she is actually a witch who wants to eat the kids.

But that can't be true, can it?

Evil witches are only in fairy tales . . . .


This was a great fantasy / fairy tale story for kids in grade school.  The mix of the fairy tale witches working together is truly wicked.  A sinister story for those in a creepy mood.