The Sweetheart of Prosper County, by Jill Alexander

As a small-town girl from Texas, Jill S. Alexander made me feel right at home with the ups and downs of country girl, Austin Gray, in The Sweetheart of Prosper County. Like most High School freshman Austin is in dire need of a clique. However, it seems that all of her friends have deserted her during the move from eighth to ninth grade, which has left her searching for something, someone, anything...then she saw the sweetheart. Much as the 3 wise men were guided by a star, Austen found her guide in the form of the Future Farmers of America (F.F.A) sweetheart in the Christmas Parade. There's only one catch, you have to have a prize winning animal in order to even have a shot at being the "head ornament" of truck in the parade. People knowing you as something other than "that girl" is nice too. Austin's best friend and Mom are quick to come to the rescue.

First on the list is an animal. This problem is soon remedied with the help of her Mom and a sweet Cajun man who help to make Charles Dickens, a rooster, her very own. Next, to find some friends. Joining FFA helps in that area and a lanky boy offers up another dish of reputation help. If Austin's mamma would just give her a little more breathing room she would have it made in the shade. This is easier said and done since the passing of her Daddy years ago.

Austin owes a lot to others for her help with her sweetheart makeover, but others owe a lot to her too. This story is full of characters with personalities as big as Texas and relationships as sweet as apple pie. If you're from the south you'll find yourself reminiscing. If not, you'll find yourself wondering what in the world is going on down there. No matter where you're from you'll find your heart warmed. 

Okay for Now, by Gary D. Schmidt

There is nothing easy about moving to a new town when you're fourteen, but Doug Switeck is determined to make his way despite all. With a Dad that can't hold onto a job, a Mother that is taking every day as it comes and a brother that has just returned from Vietnam and has many of his own issues to deal with, Doug finds support in the caring nature of a girl named Lil and John James Audubon’s birds housed at the library along with the librarian. This is an endearing story that transcends ages and decades; arriving at the conclusion that adolescence is never easy no matter the time or the place, but on occasion it is simply OK. 

The Name of the Star, by Maureen Johnson

Though, Jack the Ripper first struck fear in the hearts of London and the world over 100 years ago, the brutal manner in which the victims were mutilated and the fact that the culprit was never found has caused that fear to simmer through the generations and has now been reignited with the surfacing of a Ripper copycat. The day of the first murder also happens to be the day that Rory Deveaux arrives in London from Louisiana to begin boarding school. Rory has a lot on her plate with settling in with her new roommate, keeping up with her classes and doing her best to make it out of field hockey alive, so she is not totally consumed by the Rippermania that has swept London.

When Rory happens to see the man that is at the top of the suspect list the police are very interested in what she saw. However, Rory isn't even sure what to think about what she saw since her roommate, Jazza, was right by her and didn't see a thing. Rory is instantly wrapped up in the middle of the Ripper madness, because it now seems that she could be his next victim.

I had to finish this book during the day, because I was too scared to read it at night. You will be on edge waiting to find out what it is that sets Rory apart from her classmates and why the copycat Ripper is so very interested.