The Ghost Under Third Base by Fran Orenstein

We all know a kid like Willie. Smarter than all of the other kids, and due to this he has trouble making friends. Perhaps other students are threatened by him. After all, he is 2 years younger than all of them, and still surpasses most of them when it comes to intelligence. He even has a hard time at home due to his brother and sister and their constant razzing. The only place he can go to escape and feel comfortable is an abandonded cellar just next to his property.

One day, just after he has come out of the cellar and is laying in the grass, he meets Huby. Huby seemingly appeared out of nowhere, but they develop a wonderful friendship, and Huby helps Willie gain the confidence he so desperately needs. Having this new confidence even gains him a few friends at school. But there is something not quite right about Huby. Like the fact that he seems to just disappear and appear out of thin air. And the fact that his parents have yet to see him.

The real problem, though, is that something is in the cellar. Not something menacing, just the spirit of a boy who died tragically years earlier. So, when Willie proposes the field where the cellar is located be turned into a baseball field, they need to make sure that "Daniel" finds his way home.

This book was totally engaging and even though it is geared towards tweens, it held my interest the whole way through. I am thankful that I have books like this to review, as they really open my eyes as to the fantastic stories available for the younger crowd. There were only a few authors like this when I was growing up.Hopefully this is not the last we hear from Fran Orenstein!

Questions for the author:

Any chance of a sequel to this book?
A first draft of the sequel, at the request of the publisher, is complete. This will be the second in a Huby series, as he is the continuing character. This next book, called The Goblin Murder Mystery, is a Halloween based story which will come out next fall, in time for, guess what, Halloween (also my birthday).

In March, the next book to be published, will be the first in a fantasy series. It is called The Book of Mysteries, The Wizard of Balalac. It's about 2 boys in New York City who are sent to a mysterious, disappearing bookstore to find The Book of Mysteries. The Wizard of Balalac will be first, then next year it will be followed by The Gargoyles of Blackthorne (working title).

What are you currently working on?
I am currently doing a final draft read through on The Fat Girls From Outer Space, expected out by July. It is a contemporary Tween story of pre-teen obesity and the intolerant and cruel culture we live in. Don't worry, though, the girls get their revenge in the end and come out shining stars.

What is your favorite book, or character?
My favorite Tween book is Holes by L. Sachar. My favorite Tween characters are Harry Potter and the gang, expecially Hermione, who reminds me of me.

The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz

I have never read a YA book set in Australia before, so was delighted when I was offered the opportunity to review The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz.

There has been a tragedy in the Green family, and when Suzy's dad is offered a new job in a new location it is the perfect chance for the whole family to try and move on and start over. Suzy has decided to stop being the "wild child", and maybe try to be a little more like her sister Rosie. In an attempt to reinvent herself she changes her music, her clothing, and her overall appearance. It works, as she quickly fits in in school and even begins dating one of the handsome popular boys in her class. Things are going great, until she is invited to join the Virginity Club, one of the extracurricular activities her new friends participate in.

Apparently Virginity Clubs are the latest craze and all of the "cool" people belong, pledging to save themselves for marriage and to refrain from any kind of inappropriate activities with the opposite sex, including touching and kissing. Suzy doesn't see any harm in joining, even though she isn't a virgin. After all, it's only one small little lie, and who will ever find out? That is until Ryan, her old boyfriend and the boy she lost her virginity to, moves to town. Is this the beginning of the end for Suzy? Can she keep up the lie and try and convince Ryan to help her...or does she even want to?

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and really made me remember what being a teenager is like. Trying to fit in sometimes means giving up some of the things you love - Suzy finds this out the hard way. All of the characters were so well developed, and one of my favorites was Maddie, the best friend who struggles to believe all that Suzy is going through to impress her "new" crowd of friends. I applaud the author for encouraging teens to just be themselves instead of trying to be something they aren't.

Questions for the author:

What hobbies do you enjoy apart from writing?
I LOVE GOING TO THE MOVIES (ESPECIALLY TEEN OR CHICK MOVIES), I ALSO DO JIGSAWS, HAVE STARTED TO KNIT, WATCH LOADS OF TV, AND GO WALKING (PREFERABLY ALONG THE BEACH).

Did you fit in with the "in" crowd as a teen? Depending on your answer, did it make it easier writing the book because of this?
AT SCHOOL I WAS MORE LIKE THE 'OLD' SUZY. I WAS ALWAYS IN TROUBLE AND SPENT MUCH OF MY TIME DISRUPTING LESSONS (I DID REDEEM MYSELF LATER AND WENT TO UNIVERSITY). THOUGH MY FRIENDS AND I WEREN'T THE 'IN' CROWD WE DID HAVE OUR OWN GROUP AND WERE HAPPY. I THINK MY WHOLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE HELPED ME WRITE THIS BOOK. I COULD EASILY RELATE TO OLD SUZY, AND TO NEW SUZY BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE TIMES WHEN I WOULD DECIDE TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF AT SCHOOL - UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T LAST LONG BECAUSE I WAS TOO EASILY DISTRACTED!!

Do you have any plans for any sequels?
NOT AT THE MOMENT, THOUGH IN THE FUTURE I'D LIKE TO DO MADDIE'S STORY. SHE SEEMS TO BE A REAL FAVORITE WITH READERS, EVEN THOUGH SHE ONLY EVER APPEARS WHEN SHE'S TALKING ON THE PHONE TO SUZY.

Any books in the works?
I'VE JUST FINISHED A BOOK ABOUT A GIRL WHO SELLS PSYCHIC DATING ADVICE TO STUDENTS AT HER SCHOOL, IN ORDER TO PAY OFF A HUGE
DEBT.