Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker has been left by her father in Manifest, Kansas under the care of an old friend named Shady, as he works on the railroads in 1936. Abilene finds the town curious, but boring...until she finds a cigar box, filled with mementos and letters. Who is this spy called Rattler? Who are the letters from? What is the significance of these objects? And, why did her father leave her here and what is his relationship with these people? The mystery is what drives this story that is told in two time periods, Abilene's present, and the period of the mystery person's box, World War I.

Honestly, I didn't enjoy the book's start. It was a too sweet, rural America, historical fiction. Then the story grew on me and I realized the simple apple pie I was reading was far more complex than it first appeared. This is a story that you savor slowly; one that gets more interesting as it develops, and brings a huge reward at the end.
Reed Reads Score: 4

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

The peaceful planet Lorien is attacked by vicious Mogadorians. The planet will soon be destroyed, but before total annihilation, nine young Gardes, each accompanied by a guardian adult, their Cepan, are blasted into space. The Gardes will travel light-years to a planet called Earth, where they will disperse, and, with their Cepan, will develop their powers so they can defeat the Mogadorians and return to their home planet. A special protection is placed upon the nine Gardes. Each are numbered, and can only be destroyed, if killed in numerical order. The Mogadorians have followed them to Earth with the intention to kill the Loriens and then complete their mission by destroying Earth. One, two, and three have been killed. Now it is number four's turn. Number four, John, with his Cepan, Henri, have currently settled in a rural Ohio town, where he will meet his first love, Sarah, an arch-enemy, Mark, and a nerdy friend, Sam. Little do they understand, and little do they know...they are about to fight the battle for their lives.
Strong plot moves this story forward in this thrilling science-fiction. I am looking forward to reading the soon to be released sequel,  I Am Six.
Reed Reads Score: 3.5

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Mariller

Have you ever heard of the twelve dancing princesses? Once upon a time, there were twelve princesses, regular ordinary princesses. The only thing weird about all of them was that every morning, their father would find broken shoes. Yet, they hadn't made any noise in the night or left their bedrooms. What was happening? 
The princesses were going to a different world, a world where they danced every night. Wildwood Dancing is somewhat like that. Every full moon, Jena and her three sisters cross into a fairy world, existing parallel to their own. These little crossovers go on through out Jena's childhood. Suddenly, when she turns 17, her world is turned upside down. Her father far away on business, becomes fatally ill. Her nosy cousin is trying to kill everything magical, as well as woo her, and take over her life. Her older sister, Tatianna, has fallen in love with a sort- of soul-less human. A vampire is trying to make her his victim. And, there is much more. To set everything right, Jena and her frog Gogu must journey farther then they ever have into the magical world and into their own past. I really enjoyed this book and have read it over and over again. There's much detail and it is enchanting. It's not your average fairy tale book. It takes place in Transylvannia and is very cultural. It's not stereotypical at. Unlike most books with fairies, they don't make them out to be perfect. Also, the villain is not who you think it is. Altogether, this book is wonderful. And for those who were wondering, there is a sequel with Jena's sister, Cybele's Secret. 
Reed Reads Score: 4.5