Perla Perez has had her academic career mapped out for her since she skipped two grades in elementary school.  Now her parents have Perla on a strict regimen in order to mold her into the perfect Filipino-American daughter.  The culmination of their plan in Perla's senior year at the rigorous Monte Verde high school is for Perla to get accepted into Delmont University for pre-med, just like her mother.  However, when the time comes, Perla isn't accepted into Delmont.  Or any of her other schools.  In a panic, she photoshops an acceptance letter for her parents and begins researching work arounds in order to appear living on Delmont's campus and attending classes while applying again for the spring semester. Perla's plans to hide on campus miraculously work for a little while, but food, clothing and keeping up with all the lies are a little more difficult.  Perla might just discover something she actually enjoys while pretending to be a student, but at what cost?

This is Not a Personal Statement is a young adult novel that takes fake it till you make it to the next level.  While Perla's actions are a little unbelievable, her character is especially relatable. Anyone who has felt stressed by their parents to succeed can relate to Perla's trouble, especially if your parents don't share your vision for the future.  Perla's parents are written to the extreme and their words and actions are really verbal and psychologically abusive. The writing carried an excitement, hope, and  suspenseful feeling the whole way through as Perla's carefully constructed plan kept changing, the lies built up and an inevitable unraveling was in the works. I was glad that during Perla's stolen time at Delmont, she was able to discover that her parent's dreams are not her dreams, make friends and speak up for herself.  Perla had to break herself down in order to rebuild.  While Perla's punishment seemed harsh in the end, it is also exactly what she needed. Overall, This is Not a Personal Statement is an exciting, cotemporary story of gaining independence, finding yourself and discovering your passion.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

Richard Keeton is in line to inherit a Lordship. Before he receives the title and money, however, he must raise enough funds for his lavish lifestyle and keep up with his new wife and step-daughter.  In order to do this, Richard creates an underground poaching ring within Kenya's wildlife ministry by training a local native, Alijah and through bribes, getting him a job.  As Richard and Alijah slaughter and smuggle out numerous elephant tusks and rhinoceros horns, American Biologist, Michael Sandburg arrives in Kenya to study baboons.  Michael hits it off with Caroline, Richard's daughter before becomming entangled in a larger scheme playing out in the savannah. 


The Lord's Tusks tells a very likely story of poaching and smuggling in Kenya.  Richard Keeton is able to successfully use status, money and power to beat the law and buy government positions. Because of this, he believes he is untouchable.  While it was interesting to see things from the poacher's point of view and all of the work that went into pulling off the elaborate schemes, the pacing in the first half of the story was very slow. While this was slower, showing the detrimental effects of poaching on the animals, the people and the land is important.  I did enjoy Michael's parts, especially when he actually studied the baboons.  Once the poaching ring began to fall apart and Michael and Caroline were on to her father's misdeeds, the pace picked up.  I was excited to see what Michael's plan was once he gained control and was happy with the ending. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.