The Secret of Grim Hill

After an awful first day at her new school, Cat Peters decides that she will do anything to escape from Darkmont High. When she hears that Grimoire--the private school that sits alone on a forest-covered hill--is offering full tuition to the winners of a soccer competition to be held on Halloween, she makes up her mind to put all of her energy into it. She's ecstatic when she makes one of the two teams--the Witches--and suddenly, her life begins to shape up. Everyone now wants to be her friend, teachers let her leave class early for soccer practice, and the entire town is cheering her on to win the game. The only two people who do not seem to so excited about it are Cat's little sister, Sookie, and their nerdy neighbor, Jasper. Cat can't help that she doesn't have time to do things with Sookie now that she has so much soccer practice, and she doesn't need a nerd for a friend now that she's finally fitting in at school. But is Cat's acceptance by her peers, and the rest of this town, really normal, or has soccer really taken over? And why is it that, when something seems to conflict with the game or practice, it seems to be eliminated in the worst way? I must say that the ending of this book surprised me by not going in the direction I expected it. Instead, it appealed to a topic that I find fascinating, and I enjoyed seeing this author's take. A fun fantasy mystery for the younger reader. Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose

Are you looking for an urban fantasy for a tween that isn't graphic and still fun? THE SECRET OF GRIM HILL is one such book that is sure to excite tween readers. Cat Peters hates her new life after her parent's divorce. No one notices her except the principle and teachers who give her detention for silly things like wearing blue jeans. Then she tries out for a soccer team for a chance at a scholarship to Grimoire, an exclusive school over the hill. Things seem to change for the better. Kids who either ignored or ridiculed her now want to be her friend. Everything seems to be going great except for her sister Sookie's comments about things being "all wrong." She tells Cat her friend Cindy, a mysterious Goth looking girl, warns her that things aren't what they seem. Jasper, a friend, also warns her. And once Cat is away from Grim Hill, she also feels something isn't right. Then terrible things start happening. It's up to Cat and Jasper to find out the truth through Celtic legends in order to find out the truth of Grim Hill before it's too late. This is a fun, quick read that is sure to appeal to younger readers. Cat's struggle to fit in at a new school after her parent's divorce is believable. Also who can't relate with the pesky younger sister? Linda DeMeulemeester does a great job introducing some Celtic legends in this story. Plus, I'm sure there's a sequel too. I recommend this book to tweens who want a good clean urban fantasy.

Move over you Quidditch fans! Voted most spunky heroine since Pippi Longstocking! Put your skort on and kick some ball! There aren't enough realistic female characters for young people to sink their teeth into until now! Everyone wants to be a Cinderella or a Snow White right? Wrong! Cat Peters is the the girl who wants to get into the exclusive school Grim Hill more than anything, or so she thinks.... All it's going to take is winning a simple soccer match. Join Cat when she her friends find out what's really going on at Grim Hill, and it's not sitting around waiting for her coach to turn back into a pumpkin, or biting into a poisoned apple! Cat finds out the things that often matter most are the people dearest to your heart, even above hanging out with the cute boys. I especially liked the touch about how the power of love reaches across the plane of time and into the otherworldly. Recommend the really cool interpretation of Halloween rituals. The Secret of Grim Hill, loved it!