Not long ago, I was introduced to Rapunzel Reads, a fresh, charming blog dedicated to reviewing books for middle readers and young adults.
According to the blurb on the blog, here is how Rapunzel Reads was named:
Everyone knows that Rapunzel spent her early years locked up in a tower. We’d like to think she had plenty of books to while away the time, and that she’d appreciate our own favorites.
The blog is written “by & for kids.” The two young reviewers—“Piranha T.” and “Super Kitty”— are sisters who are twelve and fourteen. In the About section, Piranha T. and Super Kitty explain why they started Rapunzel Reads:
We…love to read, and to share what we read with our friends and family. With the help of our mother (who is also happiest when curled up somewhere with a stack of great books) we’ve decided to start this blog as a way to never lose sight of our absolute favorites, and to get a conversation going with people we know (and those we don’t!), who also might want to share their favorites with us on this site….
A few weeks ago Piranha T. reviewed Maya and the Book of Everything for Rapunzel Reads. What an honor! While positive reviews are always welcome, it is especially gratifying to have a good review written by a young person. Piranha T. concluded:
Maya and the Book of Everything was an excellent fantasy. Laurie Graves wrote a well-rounded plot which kept surprising me with twists I never would have anticipated. Maya was a clever and interesting heroine who I absolutely loved. The themes on books and reading were also fun, reminding me (although slightly younger than this book) of Finding Serendipity. I would highly recommend Maya and the Book of Everything to lovers of fantasy and complex plots ages twelve and up.
Many, many thanks, Piranha T., for this wonderful review. And readers, do check out Rapunzel Reads when you have a chance. The reviews are short and snappy, and those who love children’s literature will want to add many of the featured books to their TBR pile.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Very good review! Congrats to you as the writer of a great book and to her as the writer of a great review!
Thanks so much, Gayle!
Closely to read such a good review, well done.
Thanks, Susan!
Sorry, should read ‘lovely’ not ‘closely’!
😉
What a great review Laurie! This is wonderful feedback for all your hard work and the solitary times needed to finish a book. How long have you been writing Young Adult fiction?
Thanks so much! For about ten years. Yes, wonderful to have a young person give the book such a good review.
A five star review! Congrats.
Wow – great review – and so cool to hear about young people doing their thing!
Right? Utterly delightful.
Awesome review, Laurie. Those girls have good taste in books! 🙂
Sure do! 😉 And they are such good writers.
Wonderful review. As the book’s author, you must have found it extremely gratifying.
I sure did!
Hooray. What a tonic for you.
Sure is!
Great review!
Thanks, Judy!
Congratulations, Laurie 🙂
Thanks, Derrick!
I like that these reviewers are from your target audience–their opinion counts a lot!
You bet. A finest kind of review.
Yes, Kerry is right – the best sort of review!
Sure is! I was tickled to read it.
Fantastic review, Laurie! So good to have feedback from young adults.
Sure is!
Very cool review. Congratulations
Yes, indeed!
How wonderful to read this. Well deserved praise. XOXOXOXO XOXOXOXO
Burni, many thanks!