Moving Day by Meg Cabot

Book synopsis:
I like rules. What I'm not so crazy about is everything else.

When nine-year-old Allie Finkle's parents announce that the family is moving, Allie's sure her life is over.

She's not at all happy about having to give up her pretty pink wall-to-wall carpeting for creaky floorboards and creepy secret passageways...not to mention leaving her modern, state-of-the-art suburban school for a rundown, old-fashioned school just two blocks from her new house.

With a room she's half-scared to go into, the burden of being "the new girl", and her old friends all a half-hour car ride away, how will Allie ever learn to fit in?

My review:
My first book of Ms. Cabot's was The Boy Next Door (which I loved and still recommend quite often) and from there I was introduced to the Heather Wells mystery series. I've enjoyed her books so much, that I spent most of my time last year reading her young adult collection. So when I heard she was working on a new children's series, I was curious to know more about it.

Meet Allie Finkle. She's nine years old, currently in the fourth grade, big sister to Mark and Kevin and best friends with Mary Kay. Okay, may be Allie would like to have a new best friend. Someone who doesn't cry all the time. Or someone who will allow Allie to decide what game to play next. Other than that, Allie's life is pretty good. Until her parents say these two small words: "we're moving".

Why would her parents leave their gorgeous home only to move into a falling-down Victorian? (Let's not even talk about that fact the house is probably haunted!) On top of that, her new school isn't so "new". The building is rundown and the gym is also the lunchroom! (Eww...need I say more??)

Allie has to think of something quick before her parents ruin her life. She's promised to be on her best behavior and not complain about the move. If she keeps her promise, her parents will allow her to have her very own pet: a kitten (the family also has a dog). The question is, can she stop the move, but still get the kitten?

I love Allie Finkle! Allie is a cute girl, with a big heart, who is trying to do the right thing all the time. To make sure she stays on the right path, she created rules for herself. Here are some of her rules:

• When you finally figure out what the right thing to do is, you have to do it, even if you don't want to.
• Don't be a braggart.
• Sometimes (but not always) it's better just to keep things to yourself.
• You can't let your family move into a haunted house.
• If you get a new best friend, it's rude to show off about it.

If I were nine again, I would want Allie to be my friend. She's creative, energetic, spunky and just fun! I loved reading Moving Day and cannot wait to read more from this series.

Random tidbit: Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls series would be a wonderful selection for a mother/daughter book club.

Book details:
Series: Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls #1
ISBN-13: 978-0-545-03947-5
Pages: 228
Year Published: 2008
Genre: Children's Fiction (Series)
Source: Library
Date Finished: October 24

Madame President by Nancy Krulik

Title: Madame President
Author: Nancy Krulik
Series: How I Survived Middle School #2
ISBN-10: 0439025567
Pages: 104
Year Published: 2006
Genre: Children's Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: May 24

My review: It's time to sign up for the after-school clubs. Jenny's friends all know which club they want to join, but Jenny is still undecided. When her friends learn Addie, Jenny's former BFF, is running unopposed for sixth grade class president, they convince Jenny to run against her.

When Addie and the other Pops, AKA Popular, make promises to only the students who vote for her, Jenny's friends decide to come up with a few schemes of their own. When Jenny prevents them from moving forward with their plans, her campaign manager is barely speaking to her. And one of Jenny's friends may be a spy for Addie! Jenny must decide to be true to herself if she wants to win this election.

Move On, Move Up by Paula White

Title: Move On, Move Up: Turn Yesterday's Trials into Today's Triumphs
Author: Paula White
ISBN-10: 0446580457
Pages: 281
Year Published: 2008
Genre: Non-Fiction (Christian Living/Inspirational)
Date Finished: March 2

From the back cover: Has life thrown you curveballs? Do you feel battered by your circumstances? No matter how chaotic your life may be, you are in precisely the right position for God to do a creative work!

You may have walked through experiences that dented, tarnished, and sullied your outer person, but all of God's plans and purposes for your life are good. They were good at the moment of your creation, and they are good today. God has the power to restore the broken, damaged places in your heart.

Do you want to move on, but you don't know how? Do you want to move up, but you don't know where to find help? Paula White knows what it's like to walk in your shoes. Her hope-filled insights will inspire you to conquer life's obstacles by:

• Giving your pain up to God and allowing Him to heal you
• Learning to see your life from God's perspective
• Developing a spiritual mind
• Getting rid of old habits
• Keeping your focus on the goals God has for you.

Don't give up! Failure is not final. And God is right here, ready to give you the strength and resources you need. It's time to move on—and move up!

My review: Recently I found myself feeling trapped by a circumstance that I honestly thought had no way out. I felt incredibly paralyzed and just didn't know how to take a step to move forward. Then I discovered this book and began to see a way to move on.

What I liked most about this book is that it's heavily based in scripture and Biblical stories, which is what I was looking for. I don't think this should be substituted for daily Bible study or attending church. It's an insightful resource to help the reader understand the purpose behind his/her trial and how God can use it for his/her good. The underlying message is to not give up, despite how painful the current situation may feel. Trust in God to make a way even if you think there is no way.

At the end of each chapter are questions to help the reader delve further into his/her situation to assist in moving on and moving up. I highly recommend this book.