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Gossip Girl: It Had to Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel (Gossip Girl)

Cecily von Ziegesar

Gossip Girl: It Had to Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel (Gossip Girl) Cecily von Ziegesar Amazon Price: $12.23
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

bad book 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 14 people found this review helpful.

this book should be taken off the shelves! it made me sick! i hope there arent girls who are truly that vulgar.

spectacular 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

one of the best based on a series written book that has ever been published

Upper East Siders Scandals 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Gossip Girl tells the tale of the Upper East Siders sophomore year. It was really fun to read but the one thing I don't like in this series is the excessive use of inappropriate words. But the great thing about this book is that it doesn't focus on the female characters it also gave much importance to the male point of view. I like this one.

Editorial Review:

Taking place over their sophomore year, It Had to Be You unveils the secrets behind the hot and sultry summer that Blair, Serena, and Nate's love triangle begins--and there's a lot more to this story than anyone realizes. Find out how Blair first snagged Nate, why Serena really left for boarding school, and how the legendary Gossip Girl column began. This beautifully jacketed hardcover addition to the #1 bestselling series will thrill author Cecily von Ziegesar's fans and will undo some of the myths created in the 11 previous novels, so don't believe everything you've read so far. After all, this is Gossip Girl.

And keep your eye out for more Gossip Girl novels--featuring a brand-new cast of fabulous characters-- coming in Spring 2008!

Gossip Girl #11: Don't You Forget About Me: A Gossip Girl Novel (Gossip Girl)

Cecily von Ziegesar

Gossip Girl #11: Don't You Forget About Me: A Gossip Girl Novel (Gossip Girl) Cecily von Ziegesar Amazon Price: $8.79
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A bittersweet end to an era 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

When you first graduate, you're on top of the world, thinking about the future. But even the people of the Upper East Side know that, within a few short months, they'll be reminiscing about the people and experiences they'll be leaving behind - or not. Now, with ten short days left until everyone heads off to their respective colleges, it's time to party like there's no tomorrow, and soak up as many memories as possible before everyone goes their separate ways.

After spending the last month aboard a gorgeous boat with her hot other half, Nate Archibald, Blair Waldorf is convinced that their relationship is one that will last. And now, with just ten days before she heads off to Yale with the love of her life, and her frenemy, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair can't help but find herself on top of the world. The only thing making her shiver in her Marc Jacobs flats is the sappy love letter she found in the glove compartment of Nate's car. The writer? Serena van der Woodsen herself. Sure, Blair made sure to dispose of the evidence before Nate laid his gorgeous green eyes upon it. But, knowing Serena, there's always a possibility that she'll find a way to Nate before Blair has a chance to destroy anything between the two of them. Luckily, she's able to keep herself busy by buying all of the necessities she and Nate will need to live happily-ever-after in a quaint cottage she has created in her mind.

Nate Archibald had the time of his life sailing about with Blair for one blissful month; but now that he's back on dry land, he can't help but think about Serena van der Woodsen. Like Blair, he and Serena have so much history, and he's reluctant to throw it all away. But he has to push thoughts of romance aside as he faces his domineering father who has just discovered that Nate will not be attending Yale in the fall. Instead, he'll be going where no normal teenager would go - back to high school. After bailing on his promised assistance at Coach Michaels's home, Nate managed to get himself into even more hot water, and now he has to find a way to let Blair in on his plans - or, rather, lack thereof. Maybe he is better off with Serena - at least she'd take his news in stride.

It took years to realize, but Serena van der Woodsen finally knows that Nate Archibald is the one and only guy for her. But after he takes off with Blair, the only thing she has left to do is promote her first feature film Breakfast At Fred's, which is garnering rave reviews from every critic in the country. When the two lovebirds return, however, Serena can't help but feel that Nate is sending her messages of the romantic variety. Unfortunately, she has no idea whether or not he has received her forbidden letter, and doesn't know how to react. The fact that she's contemplating deferring Yale for a year doesn't set her mind at ease much either. Looks like someone had better make some decisions - stat!

After dabbling with being gay for a bit of time, Dan Humphrey is beginning to wonder if, much to his family and friend's surprise, he is actually straight. If the overwhelming feelings he's experiencing towards Vanessa Abrams - again! - is any indication, we may just be able to chalk the whole incident up to confusion. After gallivanting around Prague for the summer, Jenny Humphrey can't wait to pack up her things and head off to Waverly Academy. But first she'll have to find a way to gain entrance to the hottest party of the summer for one last blowout before she bids adieu to the Big Apple. Vanessa Abrams has had her share of summer jobs over the past few months; but the one thing she wants is Dan. Maybe, with a few well-placed hints, she'll be able to win him back - once and for all.

Cecily von Ziegesar has kept us all on the edge-of-our-seats for the past few years, digesting more and more gossip to discover what, exactly, would happen with some of our Upper East Siders. DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME finally puts our minds to rest - slightly. As always, Blair seems to be living in her own little bubble, refusing to come to terms with any of the new revelations which have rocked her world over the past few months. Serena has reverted back to the solemn, slightly depressed girl who we were introduced to in the debut GOSSIP GIRL. And Nate seems to be - gasp! - finally maturing, at least a little bit. The ping-pong relationship between Dan and Vanessa is, once again, in full force; but it's welcome, after the turmoil that has taken place between the two of them in the past couple of books. And Jenny's minor appearance certainly drops a ray of sunshine into the story, and gets us ready for a new adventure - accompanying her to Waverly Academy. The hints that are dropped regarding a new set of characters coming into the picture make for a slightly exciting bit of info. Yet saying farewell to the people we know and love is still difficult, and tragic, in it's own way. A bittersweet end to an era.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Editorial Review:

Don't You Forget About Me continues the #1 New York Times bestselling series about the provocative lives of New York City's most prestigious private school young adults. Sharp wit, intriguing characters, and high stakes melodrama drive the action of this addictive series that have made Gossip Girl the lit world's coveted "it" girl.

Would I Lie to You (Gossip Girl, No. 10)

Cecily von Ziegesar

Would I Lie to You (Gossip Girl, No. 10) Cecily von Ziegesar Amazon Price: $8.79
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Forget diamonds; Cecily von Ziegesar is a girl's best friend! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Manhattan may be the most glamorous place in the world, filled with shopping, sights, and the finest dining you'll ever experience. But when the summer rolls around, it's nothing more than a sticky, sweltering nightmare that leaves you glistening under an unattractive sheen of sweat, and wearing as little as legally possible. So it's no surprise that when you want to beat the heat, the best place to head is the Hamptons, where the beaches are filled with babes, hot bodies, and bikinis. After all, there's nothing as seductive as a little fun in the sun - rich folk style!

Blair Waldorf is finally in a state of bliss. The debacle involving Lord Marcus is nothing more than a thing of the past. She finally has her frenemy Serena van der Woodsen on her side. And she's snagged a job working as fashion designer Bailey Winter's muse for the summer - alongside Serena - which basically consists of looking fabulous, and lounging around the petite man's sprawling Georgica Pond estate. Sounds simple, but when you're pining over the green-eyed love of your life - Nate Archibald - and trying to contend with a wannabe-Blair Eastern waif named Ibiza, who just do happens to be living under the same roof as you, you can't help but feel angered 24/7. Looks like someone needs to take a chill pill, or spend a little one-on-one time with her American Express card.

Nate Archibald is having the worst summer of his life. After pilfering some of Coach Michaels' forbidden pills, N has been forced to dive headfirst into the unglamorous world of manual labor. Sure, it was fun at first, with a brief flirtation with a Long Island native named Tawny. But now things have gone straight downhill. Nate has finally come to his senses, and knows that Blair is the true love of his life, but has no idea how to win her heart - again. And attempting to escape the uncomfortable advances of Coach Michaels' wife, Babs, is becoming a full-time job of its own, leaving N in a perpetual state of agitation and discomfort. Maybe if you laid off the weed, things would look a little clearer.

Serena van der Woodsen has just wrapped filming on her big screen debut, Breakfast At Fred's, and is looking to finally start her summer. And what better way to party hardy than by tossing on a Missoni swimsuit, and grabbing your best friend - or enemy, depending on what day it is - and heading to the Hamptons. As the blonde-haired muse of Bailey Winter, Serena is confident that this will be the summer of a lifetime. But after a few obnoxious moments with her European clone, Svetlana; and a handful of longing looks in Nate's direction, Serena can't help but feel envious and depressed. I guess that's what happens when you're the birthday girl, and everyone seems to have forgotten that your big day has arrived.

While New York party girl, Jenny Humphrey, is off gallivanting around Prague, sketchbook in tow, Vanessa Abrams has made herself quite comfortable in little J's bedroom. But when her job as a nanny gives her the opportunity to flee the stuffy confines of the city - and Dan Humphrey's cheating heart - Vanessa is convinced that this is her chance to try something new. Too bad she's expected to spend her time chasing around two spoiled mongrels, as opposed to hanging out in the sun. But maybe she'll gain a little insight into the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and create a documentary that will make everyone's jaws drop. Maybe not. Dan, on the other hand, is finally settling into life as a worker at the Strand. But when a new co-worker steps into the picture, as well as the creation of a literary salon, Dan's sexuality is tested, and all bets are off.

As the summer comes to a head, it's obvious that Cecily von Ziegesar is working on winding down the GOSSIP GIRL series, and begin to create a little closure into the lives of some of our favorite characters. Unfortunately, each time we think we're finally satisfied with how things are working out, a new revelation comes about and turns everything upside down. Case in point, Blair's sudden infatuation with Nate. Serena's transformation from happy-go-lucky to depressed all the time. Dan's new thoughts regarding relationships. Vanessa's determination to reconnect with Blair and Serena before each of them heads off to their respective new institutions for higher learning. And Nate's new, mature outlook on...everything. With one more book to go, it looks like we'll all be in for a surprise. Forget diamonds; Cecily von Ziegesar is a girl's best friend!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Editorial Review:

Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side where my friends and I live, and go to school, and play, and sleep - sometimes with each other. We all live in huge apartments with our own bedrooms and bathrooms and phone lines. We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, we have fantastic clothes, and we know how to party... Continuing the #1 New York Times bestselling series about the provocative lives of New York City's most prestigious private school young adults. Sharp wit, intriguing characters, and high stakes melodrama drive the action of this addictive series that have made Gossip Girl the lit world's coveted "it" girl.

Unforgettable (It Girl Novel #4)

Cecily Von Ziegesar

Unforgettable (It Girl Novel #4) Cecily Von Ziegesar Amazon Price: $9.99
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The New York Times bestselling spin-off series to the #1 bestselling Gossip Girl is set in an elite East Coast boarding school and features favorite Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey.

Having a roommate at elite Waverly Academy means nightly sleepovers and double the designer wardrobe. But Callie Vernon never really liked late-night girl talk or swapping cashmere sweaters with her younger, rosy-cheeked roomie, Jenny Humphrey. So when Jenny stole her longtime boyfriend, Easy Walsh, Callie didn?t feel that guilty about turning right around and kissing him behind Jenny?s back. Okay, maybe a little guilty, but it certainly didn?t stop her from enjoying it. Now, if only Easy would stop being so irritatingly indecisive and dump Jenny already!

While the two roommates are sharing a boyfriend, the rest of Dumbarton?s residents are sharing their feelings at the newly founded Women of Waverly club?aka, WOW! Everyone is totally bonding, revealing their most personal secrets, and hugging out their past rivalries. But despite the sharing-is-caring vibe, there are some things these girls aren?t spilling?like who?s making special late-night trips to the crater . . . and with whom.

Now it?s only a matter of time before all the newfound girl power explodes into a massive girl fight. But this battle goes well beyond the ivy colored brick walls of Dumberton?it?s about who will be Waverly?s next It Girl.

Town Mouse, Country Mouse

Town Mouse, Country Mouse Amazon Price: $6.99
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

ONE OF THE BETTER VERSIONS OF THIS OLD, OLD STORY! 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

As near as we can tell, Aesop's Fables date back to at least the 6th Century B.C. I personally feel that many of these tales are even older and Aesop had probably recorded quite a number of old folk tales from the past. Be-that-as-it-may, this is a rewrite of one of my favorite of Aesop's Fables. This story has been told and retold in countless languages, in countless countries and it would be almost impossible to find and read them all. I will say though, that with this offering, Jan Brett has done the tradition proud and pretty well proved that what was good in the 6th Century B.C. is good today!

In this story, we have the Town Mouse and his wife and the Country Mouse and his wife that, after a chance meeting, decide to trade places. You all know the story, and if you don't, I don't want any spoilers here, so I will not give a blow by blow rundown on the adventures of these four in their new environment.

What sets this particular version apart from so many others though, is the art work. I cannot remember a children's book that was so well illustrated and to be frank, so interesting. The author alternates, page by page from Town Mouse back to Country Mouse. At the side of each illustration we have a sort of preview of what is going to happen next. This is not a "copy" of an upcoming page, but rather a general view of what might be. Once the child (and parent or grandparent catches on, this can be quite fun). But back to the art. The only way I can describe it would be Victorian. It is vivid, detailed, colorful and just down right interesting. The way the author has humanized the various critters does not come across as phony at all, and actually looks quite natural is a stage sort of way. I could safely say that most people could read and look at this book twenty or more times and each time find some detail they have never seen before with previous readings. Each page is a visual adventure; each page is an absolute delight. Now this does not mean this work does not have a strong and well written text. Far from it! The story flows well, is easy on the eye and the story is quite understandable to the targeted age group which would probably be kindergarten through third or fourth grade.

The obvious lesson learned from the story is to be happy with where you are, stop complaining and count yourself lucky you have what you have. What is nice about this work though, is that the adult reader can get much more mileage out of this than just the moral of the story. This is an ideal book to help children learn to really observe and look for details. It will be obvious after several readings, even to the little ones, that there is more to see if you just take the time to look. Absolute hours of discussion can be had just talking with the child about the different things seen on each and ever page.

This particular publication dates back to 1994. Let's hope it is with us many, many more years.

Editorial Review:

A story filled with suspense and humor, this classic tale of a town mouse and a country mouse takes a new twist in the imaginative and talented hands of Jan Brett. She introduces two engaging mouse couples eager to get away from their everyday lives. But when they agree to swap homes, they find unexpected adventures around every corner. Lush green scenes alternate with the elegant details of a fine Victorian townhouse to make a sumptuous and stunning picture book.

Katy and the Big Snow

Virginia Lee Burton

Katy and the Big Snow Virginia Lee Burton Amazon Price: $6.95
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Simple Favorite 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I have fond memories of this book as a child, so I wanted to share it with my three year old daughter. To my surprise, it was not quite as interesting to me now as it was in my memories. My daughter loves it, however, and we read it together often! It is a simple story of a mess being cleaned up, and maybe that simplicity is what appeals to her.

My 25 month old love this book! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Discovered this book at our doctor's office. My oldest baby did not want to put it down. I told him we would go home and order it on the computer. Each day he looked out the window to see if "KATY" was there yet. Needless to say, he loves this book. It has an incredible map. And it's clear this will be a book we value for many years.

Katy and the big snow 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This a good book--especially if your child loves trucks and construction equipment as mine does. We first ordered the classic Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel and then got this book because of it's similarities. Its old-school illustrations are a nice change of pace from some of the newer books we read to our son.

Editorial Review:

KATY AND THE BIG SNOW BURTON

Gossip Girl, The Carlyles #1 (Gossip Girl)

Cecily von Ziegesar

Gossip Girl, The Carlyles #1 (Gossip Girl) Cecily von Ziegesar Amazon Price: $8.79
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Pretty Good Start 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Avery, Baby, and Owen Carlyle moves into Blair Waldorf's old place on the Upper East Side. Avery immediately wants to be a teen socialite, Owen is desperate to find the girl he fell for the summer before who lives in NY as well and Baby just wants to go home to Nantucket. As they all quickly find out what they want isn't easy. Avery's makes enemies with the wrong girl in school: popular girl Jack Laurent. Owen quickly finds out that the girl he wanted is the girlfriend of his only friend Rhys Sterling and Baby tries to get herself in trouble so she can be expelled and go home.
It's a good start to a new series and a lot of people are going to make the mistake of comparing the Carlyles and the other characters to the old characters of the now retired original series but you have to see it in a different light as a different series which is what it is. There is very little mention of the old characters in the blog and readers will have to know that the B in the book isn't Blair and the J isn't Jenny. Unlike in The It Girl, the characters aren't cookie cutters of the ones in the original Gossip Girl series. Although this book is mainly about the triplets, the character that makes the book interesting is Jack, who is supposed to be the Blair (or queen bee) of this series although if you ask me she's more like Cammie from the A-List. Jack stands out in the series and I can't wait to see what she does next since I know she wants revenge on the Carlyle girls after what happens at the end. So far none of the guys work for me. Just like with the original series there are only two main ones: Owen and Rhys and one supporting one, J.P. (Jack's boyfriend) whose point of view we don't get to read. Owen is a little too egotistical about his looks and Rhys is too sensitive after his breakup with Kelsey who isn't worth it anyway but there has only been one book so hopefully they will improve throughout the series. I hope the series doesn't get stale and boring like The It Girl did after the first three books, though.
Grade: B+

Editorial Review:

Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen were the reigning princesses of the Upper East Side.

Until now.

In Gossip Girl, The Carlyles the inimitable Gossip Girl introduces the most fabulous sixteen year-old triplets to ever inhabit the Upper East Side. When the Waldorfs move from their apartment at the end of Don't You Forget About Me, the Carlyle triplets of Nantucket, Massachusetts--Owen, Baby, and Peyton-- move in. In the new titles of the Gossip Girl series, we will follow the Carlyles, plus three other teenagers living in gorgeous apartments, attending the most exclusive prvate schools-- the familiar Constance Billard School for Girls and St. Jude's School for Boys-- and treating New York's Upper East Side as their personal playground. Welcome to the new era.

Lucky for you, Gossip Girl is there to whisper all their juicy secrets...

Gossip Girl: The Third Collection (Gossip Girl)

Cecily Von Ziegesar

Gossip Girl: The Third Collection (Gossip Girl) Cecily Von Ziegesar Amazon Price: $19.79
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Gossip Girl Collection 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I was glad to be able to find the collection. It made it easier than shopping for each individual book. I will be buying the addition books the same way.

Fun, frivolous, and fabulous - just what the doctor ordered! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

At the beginning of high school, it's hard to imagine anything but graduating, and being able to be your own person, away from cliques, parents, and strict teachers who truly cramp your style. At the end of high school, however, those are the three things you crave. Especially when you're a Park Avenue Princess - or Prince - and the thought of change does nothing but make you break out in hives. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end.

Book # 7: NOBODY DOES IT BETTER - Everything is finally falling into place for Blair Waldorf. She and Nate Archibald are back together, and she has finally handed her V card over to him. Her mother gave birth to her little baby sister, Yale; and, much to her surprise, she absolutely adores the tiny tyke, and is shaping up to be the best big sister the Upper East Side has ever seen. The only thing that has her baffled and in a perpetual state of anger is the fact that she has been wait-listed at Yale. Even worse, both Nate and Blair's best frienemy, Serena van der Woodsen snagged spots at the Ivy league she wishes to call home, making her wonder whether two of the most important people in her life will leave her behind.

Though Serena van der Woodsen has a B+ average, somehow she got accepted to all of the Ivies - Yale, Harvard, and Brown, just to name a few. Now comes the hard part. Serena never realized that she was actually into the whole college thing, but now that she's begun to think about the future, she's convinced that this is a huge decision on her part. The only problem is that she's leaning towards Yale, and, knowing that Yale is Blair's number one choice school, Serena knows that Blair will wring her neck if she accepts the spot. Time to make a tough decision - her best friend, or her future.

Nate Archibald is up to his old tricks again, smoking weed to his hearts content. The only difference is that he and Blair are finally back together, and he's convinced that the two of them will be together forever. But now that Blair has been wait-listed at Yale, he wonders if everything will work out the way he has always hoped. Maybe if he could keep his lungs clear for more than a minute or two, he'd be able to reassure Blair that the two of them will never be separated, and that she'll definitely be accepted by Yale. Too bad he's so dependent on his little marijuana friend.

Vanessa Abrams thought that things were finally back to normal between her and her morbid poet boyfriend, Dan Humphrey. The two were living together in Williamsburg, soaking up the pleasures of being a happy couple. But after an out-of-control party, and an unexpected houseguest, the two bid adieu to one another; Vanessa being left by her lonesome, and Dan being recruited as the singer/songwriter for the band The Raves. Now it's Dan's little sister, Jenny's time to misbehave. Jenny Humphrey has always been the good girl, doing what she was told, and acting demurely. But after developing a fascination with boarding school, Jenny has decided to indulge in a little debauchery of her own. Suddenly, she's partying all weekend with college-aged rockers, breaking Constance Billard's dress code, and even modeling in big-time fashion spreads alongside Serena. If Jenny's not careful, she may just end up elsewhere next year. But maybe that's what the pint-sized vixen is hoping for. 5 stars.


Book # 8: Blair Waldorf finally has everything she's ever dreamed of. She has moved off of the wait-list at Yale, and is finally a full-fledged incoming freshman. She has her best friend, Serena van der Woodsen, in her good graces. And Nate Archibald is finally hers - forever. Or so she thinks. When she catches Nate and Serena in a compromising position during the Senior Class Trip, Blair knows that it's time to write off best friends and boyfriends. But when she meets the handsome Brit, Lord Marcus Beaton-Rhodes at the Yale Club - her new abode - all bets are off.

Everything has always come easy to Serena van der Woodsen. Without trying, she managed to snag a spot at all of the Ivy leagues, steal her frenemy, Blair Waldorf's boyfriend, and become nominated for Senior Speaker for her upcoming graduation. Unfortunately, the only thing Serena truly wants is to be back with her buddy. But when a starring role in Ken Mogul's upcoming film "Breakfast At Fred's" opens up, Serena knows that she just has to try out for the coveted part - even if it means angering Blair even more. After all, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. And when it comes to acting, Serena's got it in the bag.

Nate Archibald has been torn between Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen since the day he met them. I guess that's what happens when your best friends with two of the most gorgeous girls on the planet. When Blair stops talking to him due to his little indiscretion with Serena, he decides to give a relationship with S a chance. But maybe the two of them aren't cut-out for a full-on relationship. If Nate's tears, and his new dependency on the little pills he snagged from his Coach's desk are any indication, it might seem as if Nate actually has true feelings for the high-maintenance Blair. Lets just hope that he manages to graduate, or else he'll never have a chance of getting her back when they're both Yalies.

Little Jenny Humphrey has always been the star student. But after a few little incidents during her time at Constance Billard, she has been told that she'll have to pack her bags, and make different arrangements for her sophomore year. That's not a problem for Jenny. She has always wanted to go to boarding school, and now is her chance to choose the perfect one for herself. Everyone beware, she's on the loose. After ditching Vanessa Abrams for a shot at rock stardom, Dan Humphrey has found himself holed up with his notebook even more often than usual, pining away for the alternative chick he knows and loves. But, alas, Vanessa is in the arms of another man - Blair's stepbrother Aaron. Aaron, however, isn't necessarily the guy Vanessa is searching for. Maybe, with a little luck, she'll go crawling back to Dan - again. 5 stars.


Book # 9: ONLY IN YOUR DREAMS - Since meeting Lord Marcus, Blair Waldorf has been on cloud nine. Not only does he have the most charming British accent, but he makes the gorgeous Nate Archibald look pale in comparison, and, as an added bonus, he has invited Blair to spend the summer abroad with him in England. Blair just knows that this is it. Marcus will propose to her, and the two of them will ride off into the sunset. But Marcus is totally different in England. In fact, if Blair didn't have her American Express card in tow, she may have actually been lonely as he basically abandoned her to cavort with his horse-faced cousin. It's enough to make her long for her friends and family in New York.

While Serena van der Woodsen is heartbroken that her frenemy Blair Waldorf is vacationing abroad, she can't help but be relieved in the wake of her absence, for it gives her more time to concentrate on nailing the role she just landed as Holly in Ken Mogul's Breakfast At Fred's - a remake of Breakfast At Tiffany's. While Serena is being hailed as a young ingenue, she can't seem to get it right when it comes to being Holly. And the fact that she's been cast opposite uber-hottie Thaddeus Smith. Serena wants more than anything to do well in the first role of her life, but Thad has a way of making her forget her lines, and fumble in more ways than one.

Nate Archibald has finally written off girls. After botched relationships with both Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, he is convinced that this is his summer to be free from females, and to get his head on straight. Besides, he needs to reserve enough energy for fixing up his Coach's house, so that he can finally receive his diploma. But when he meets a Hamptons townie named Tawny, Nate's reservations about females are thrown out the window. Suddenly, he can't think about anything other than hanging with the fake-baked Tawny, and smoking joint after joint. Looks like someone's summertime resolutions have, once again, been cast to the wind.

After a torrid love affair with one another, Dan Humphrey and Vanessa Abrams are finally back together - but not for long. Working at the Strand, Dan meets a yoga-loving hottie, and finds himself drawn into her wacky world, leaving Vanessa in the dust. And Vanessa, working on Ken Mogul's new film Breakfast At Fred's is forced to succumb to harsh criticism that is undeniably undeserved. The only one having fun seems to be little Jenny Humphrey who is completely out of the picture. After receiving her acceptance letter to the exclusive Waverly Academy, Jenny headed off to Amsterdam to spend her summer enjoying the art of the European countryside. Now the only question that remains is whether or not we'll be seeing this pint-sized Picasso again. 5 stars.

The two previous boxed collections held six of the most engrossing teen tales on bookshelves, and the third collection does the same. Books seven, eight, and nine mark an amazing time for our favorite Upper East Side pals. Besides waiting to hear from colleges who will either accept or decline you, we accompany these characters - who have grown to be much like close friends - as they tread the uneasy waters of going all the way, holding back, experimenting with new lifestyles, and even trying their hand at new professions - such as acting and modeling. Through it all, Gossip Girl keeps us up-to-date on everything taking place, and provides us with the lowdown on everyone - whether they're in town, or out of the country. If you've read the rest, it's time to read the best. Fun, frivolous, and fabulous - just what the doctor ordered!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Editorial Review:

A third Gossip Girl boxed set of three books (Gossip Girl #7: Nobody Does It Better, Gossip Girl #8: Nothing Can Keep Us Together, Gossip Girl #9: Only In Your Dreams) in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Alphabet City

Stephen T. Johnson

Alphabet City Stephen T. Johnson Amazon Price: $6.99
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Alphabet City minus the grunge 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

How successful an alphabet book is relies entirely on how well it conveys the alphabet to children. Sometimes books of this nature are so wrapped up in their own cleverness (like the wearily look-at-me-aren't-I-a-visual-delight, "Graphic Alphabet" by David Pelletier) that they forget who alphabet books are supposed to be FOR. Now "Alphabet City" is clever too. No question of that. But what Stephen T. Johnson has done here is whip up a book that inner city kids will immediately recognize and cling to. How many alphabet collections are there out there that form letters out of pastoral or countryside setting? Plenty. Johnson turns the idea on its head with near photo-realistic paintings of recognizable city objects and places.

In his forward to the book, Johnson explains that the roots of this project are based in his own love of the, "particular energy one senses in the people, sounds, and structures, old and new, that constitute a city". While out for a stroll on day, he found he could find letters in the most basic city structures, like fire-escapes and sawhorses. "Alphabet City" is the result. Each letter, always a capital, is presented as part of the environment around it. So the aforementioned sawhorse is the very first picture, with kids being able to readily recognize the "A" hidden in its crossbeams. No letter is going to be immediately easy to find. Johnson doesn't outline them in darker paints or even necessarily point them out in any way. The "R" hidden in leaf covered cobblestones is evident if sneaky. He also cheats a little here and there to get just the right shape. To find the "C" in the cathedral's beautiful window, a late afternoon shadow covers part of the circle. By and large, however, Johnson executes an extraordinarily clever conjunction of images. I would have thought it near impossible to find a "Q" in the city, but the wheel well of a stationary train proved me wrong. Johnson also flits back and forth between different kinds of light and shadow. You'll find yourself quite taken with his mysterious and towering "T", or the snow-covered bench that provides an "O". It makes for perhaps the most interactive alphabetic picture book out there.

This book does work on the premise that the children reading it already recognize the alphabet as it stands. How hard would it have been for Johnson to have place a large black letter in the corner of each page, allowing kids the chance to learn as well as explore? If you're a four-year-old and can't remember if "Q" comes before or after "R", this book will be no help to you. That said, for those kids already familiar with the shapes in this collection, "Alphabet City" can become a game in their off hours. They can walk down the street pointing out the letters they see in their own neighborhoods. Some pictures admittedly feel like Johnson is cheating. He obviously could have located an "L" anywhere, but did he have to make it so difficult for the readers by constructing such a convoluted image? Try flipping randomly to some of the pages and see whether or not you can figure out what letter you're on. Betcha bottom dollar you don't guess "F" or "G".

I complain, but only because I love. Truth be told, "Alphabet City" blew me away. There are all kinds of seasons here and a true love for city living that rings true. Johnson has a keen eye for the beauty inherent in urban living. Rust and peeling paint and moldering iron and missing tilework all combine into truly beautiful portraits. The alphabet has never been done so eclectically. Alphabet books with a designer bent always leave me a touch cold, but "Alphabet City" is different. Like its sequel, "City By Numbers" it's original and lovingly rendered. Consider pairing it with "Achoo Bang Crash" by Ross MacDonald and "New York, New York: The Big Apple From A to Z" by Laura Krauss Melmed for a truly urban and urbane alphabetic threesome.

Editorial Review:

A 1996 Caldecott Honor book

The urban landscape will never look the same again. As Stephen T. Johnson demonstrates in a series of strikingly realistic pastels and watercolors, a simple sawhorse can contain the letter "A"--while lampposts alongside a highway can form a row of elegant, soaring Ys. A 1996 Caldecott Honor book, this sophisticated, wordless alphabet book is sure to appeal to young and old alike.

"Imaginative, stimulating, and striking." --The Horn Book

"Sure to intrigue." --Booklist

* A Picture Puffin
* Full-color illustrations
* 32 pages
* All ages

Snow (Sunburst Books)

Uri Shulevitz

Snow (Sunburst Books) Uri Shulevitz Amazon Price: $6.95
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Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Uri Shulevitz won a Caldecott Medal for his illustrated edition of Arthur Ransome's The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, and has won numerous other awards for illustrating his own books. Not surprising, then, that he'd create such a lovely book as Snow, a touching story about childish hope, grumpy pessimistic grownups, and the wonder of snowfall. Will the snow come? (Oh, please?) In the first scene there is none, but the second has--if you can find it--a single flake. Then there are more--but they melt. And then, finally... joy! These are unusually subtle illustrations for a children's book: so many illustrators try to out-do each other with lurid effects and excessive brightness, but many of Shulevitz's exquisite panels are close to monotone. He paints whole cityscapes in a dozen shades of gray, with small human figures who you notice (at second glance) have coats of gray-green, gray-blue, or gray-brown. The adults have tiny Edwardian parasols or handle-bar moustaches. The abstract, atmospheric, folktale effect is heightened by a pared-to-the-bone text, just a few words per page. "'It's nothing,' said man with hat. Then three snowflakes. 'It's snowing,' said boy with dog." Snow perfectly captures the transformative nature of snow and the result is magical. Click to see a sample spread. Illustrations and text ©Uri Shulevitz, reprinted with permission from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (Ages 3 to 6) --Richard Farr

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