Debbie Viguie's Scarlet Moon

A parent recommended this book, knowing that I can't keep anything related to vampires or werewolves on the shelves for very long. This is a Simon Pulse paperback title, part of the "Once Upon a Time" series.

Ruth, whose father is a blacksmith and whose brother has gone off to fight in the crusades, is attacked by a wolf when very young. She still dreams of the wolf's green eyes, and when the local noble shows up, she is surprised to see that he has the same eyes. He is also not put off by the fact that she is not cowed by his nobility nor the fact that she is working as a blacksmith, and a romance blooms. Of course, things cannot go smoothly. Ruth's grandmother has been banished to the woods for possible witchcraft, but this ends up serving Ruth well. This is billed as a "reimagining" of Little Red Riding Hood, and was quite a fun, light romp. There are other titles in this series, and I am looking forward to them. Twilight fans will enjoy these.

Also picked up Shaffer and Barrows The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on the recommendation of several friends. It sounded like something I would like (London author, in the wake of World War II, communicates with citizens of an island that was occupied by the Germans during the war, finds new purpose and romance in her life), but seemed somehow derivative. I was disappointed.

Decided that Paul Volponi's newest title, Response, would be best suited to high schoolers. I had enough trouble with the fact that Noah is beat up while trying to steal a car, and the moral ambiguity might be difficult for middle school students. No, Noah does not deserve to be beat up, but he was doing something he ought not to have been doing. Like Artemis Fowl, I couldn't find a sympathetic side. There is also some language.