Mundie Moms

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Book Review: Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter


Published by: Hyperion Teens
Released on: 2/5/13- TODAY
Series: Heist Society #3
Source: book from publisher to review
5 stars: I LOVED IT! 
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Add it to Goodreads

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting—or stealing—whatever they want.

No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir—this time, Hale might be the mark. 

Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy. 

My review, the shortened version: 

I LOVED THIS BOOK! GO PICK IT UP!

My review, the full version: 

I seriously love this series and loved what Ally did with Kat and Hale's storyline. I don't know what else to add to what I mentioned in my shortened review. I mean, I have plenty to say, but I can't talk in detail about the awesomeness of Kat & Hale, and Ally's writing without given sounding like a rambling fangirl. There is something about Ally's writing that I fall victim to every time I sit down to read one of her books. My intended goal of reading for a few minutes turns into many more and minutes then a hour, then two, and then I'm finished with the book. I can't help myself. I'm addicted to Kat & Hale's story, and Ally's writing. This story, like the other two books in the series is fabulous! It's one of my all time favorite series. 

Okay let's be honest, we all adore Kat, but we all love Hale. This is the first time in the series where I've felt like Ally really allowed me to see the vulnerable side of Hale. I admit, it left me a little heartbroken, and like Kat, really worried about the direction this broken boy was going to take. In true Hale fashion, he also completely surprised me. Oh Hale. Boy does he ever make me want to slap him, and hug him all at the same time. I think I was about as shocked as Kat was over a few of his scenes and how he acts and treats her. Though it it understandable that there is something going on and I loved Kat for being the strong one and not giving up on him. 

Kat. I didn't think I could love her anymore than I already did, but Ally made her this incredibly strong, stubborn character who was on a mission to figure out what was really going on with Hale. I swear Kat is one con artist you can't out con, and this time around her entire family is behind her, helping her uncover what's going on at Hale Industries. Aside from loving Kat and Hale, I adore Kat's family! Each of the characters who make up her family add just the right touch of family dynamics, humor and smarts that even though they're con artists, they have this great family relationship I enjoy getting glimpses off, whether it be in Uncle Eddie's kitchen, on the job, or some place else. 

Oh the romance! It's one those romances that makes you yearn for those stolen glances and secret moments that Kat and Hale have together. It's sweet, fragile, complex, and a little something more. I should have known based on how Perfect Scoundrels started, giving readers a glimpse into the first time Hale and Kat meet, how this storyline was going to go. Hale and Kat had me from that moment at the window, on. I enjoyed how that first meeting and their relationship play a crucial role with this story. One of my favorite jokes with Kat's family involves a wager of goats. You'll know why I love it when you read it. ;) Yes it has something to do with their relationship and no cheating and reading the last page of the book, because you won't get the joke until you read the scene the joke starts in.

Perfect Scoundrels is a that perfect read when you're wanting to sit down with a good book, who's storyline takes you out of the real world for a bit. It gives you real characters you wish you could crawl into the book and hang out with, exciting world travels rip with danger, and a sweet romance that leaves you anticipating what will happen next with Kat and Hale. Above all you'll get an an entertaining storyline you won't be able to get enough of. I HIGHLY recommend picking this book up today!

Don't miss my interview with Ally! Find out where Ally said Kat and Hale would go to get away from everything they deal with in Perfect Scoundrels, here.

Interview with Perfect Scoundrels Author ALLY CARTER!

Sophie and I are just a little okay, extremely excited for Ally Carter's PERFECT SCOUNDRELS release day today! We're even more excited and acting like complete fangirls over having Ally on the blog today to talk about PERFECT SCOUNDRELS, one of both Sophie and mine's most anticipated books for 2013! This is a book we highly recommend running out and picking up TODAY! Before talk to Ally about our favorite Kat and Hale, here's a little bit about the book.


Published by: Hyperion Teens
Released on: 2/5/13- TODAY
Series: Heist Society #3
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
Add it to Goodreads

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting—or stealing—whatever they want.

No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir—this time, Hale might be the mark. 

Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy. 

I'm excited to welcome one of our favorite authors to the blog, ALLY CARTER!!! 




We get to learn more about Hale's family (and hooray, we're one step closer to learning his full name), what can you tell us about his grandmother, the one that leaves him her fortune?
Hale’s grandmother, Hazel, is probably my favorite character I’ve ever created but didn’t get to write.  Since she passes away at the very beginning of the book (and off-screen) we never get any actual scenes with her, but her character played a tremendous role in this book. 

She is inspired in part by my own great-aunts (The Hale Girls, to whom the book is dedicated).  These were my grandmother’s sisters and as a little girl every family function they attended was always full of life.  They were well into their seventies and would joke about taking off for Vegas or stirring up other kinds of trouble.  I wanted Hale’s grandmother to have that kind of life.  I wanted her to be an outsider in Hale’s world (like he is, in many ways) and for her to have a kind of spunk that made her feel alive long after she passed away.

You know, we ask all the important questions, soooooo are Kat and Hale going to have another kissy scene (or two ;) )? We noticed Hale mentioned he was "taken" in the e-novella (which we adored!), Double Crossed.


To tell you the truth, I honestly don’t remember!  They are much closer in this book, but they also spend a little time on shaky ground.  Basically, Hale and Kat aren’t normal teens; they are never going to have a normal courtship.  But I did want some of those classic new relationship rites of passage to come into play.  Like when Kat’s father “meets” Hale for the first time as Kat’s boyfriend.  They’ve worked together dozens of times, of course, but now that Kat and Hale are dating, according to thief culture, Hale owes Bobby a dozen goats and Bobby intends to collect.

We love Kat and we love how she comes to the aid of people who need her. In the past, she's taken some incredible risks and not just in heists, but with friends and family. If we could ask her what's the one thing that she wishes she could do-over, what would it be?

Kat wants her mother back.  If she could do it again, she’d go back and spend some time with her mom—enjoy being someone’s little girl.  As much as Kat’s father loves her, he never really knew how to relate to a girl.  She was raised more as a peer or a partner, so I think that as soon as Kat lost her mom, she lost her childhood.  It’s not like Kat could go back in time and save her (her mother died of natural causes), but Kat would have enjoyed that time more.  She’d love to steal one of those days back if she could.

We adore Kat and Hale. If they could have an day or two to spend together outside of everything they've been dealing with, what would they do or where would they go to get away from it all?

What a good question!  With their combined resources, it’s safe to say they could do anything, but there’s a line in the book when Hale asks her to fly to Hawaii with him and watch the sun come up on the beach.  That sounds pretty good.  And Kat is pretty tempted.  But, then again, Kat probably burns, so knowing her she’ll probably end up dragging him wherever the next job is.  And Hale will happily go along.

Sophie and I  adore you and your writing! I wish your books were around when I was a tween/teen. Is there a YA author who's writing you've falling in love with as an adult, but wish you had, had when you were a teen?

Thank you!  What a lovely compliment.  Basically, I wish the whole genre had existed when I was a teen.  Sure, we had Nancy Drew and, of course, Judy Blume, but there were also a lot of issue books and books that seemed to be actively trying to teach some valuable life lesson.  It was a lot of After School Special fiction.  So to have a Hunger Games or White Cat or Princess Diaries—to have anything that was both enjoyable and well-written…well, that would have been amazing.

If you could take a writing trip any where in the world, where would you go and why?

Another good question.  I’ve set a lot of things in the Alps but I’ve never actually been there, so that would be great.  Also the Mediterranean Coast keeps calling to me.  And I’ve recently been fighting the urge to go to Costa Rica.  I have no idea how I could make that a writing trip, but I’m sure I could find a way!

What are three writing must haves for you?

It may sound obvious, but the biggest thing for me is time.  I have to do several drafts, and each draft will be vastly different than the one that came before it.  I sincerely wish I could outline and get the plot right from the beginning, but I’m coming to understand that that simply isn’t my process, and I’ll probably never work that way.  I also need quiet.  Sure, I can tune things out and work in the white noise of a busy restaurant, but if there is a loud conversation at the next table, I’m done for.  And something to drink.  I used to guzzle Diet Coke, but now I’m trying to go for straight water.  That was my 2013 resolution, and so far I’m doing decently with it.

Can you tell us what you're working on next? 
The sixth—and final—Gallagher Girls novel.  Look for it in September later this year.

Thank you Ally for stopping by Mundie Moms today! We hope you have a lovely RELEASE Day!!! 

Thank you Disney Hyperion for making this possible! You can follow Ally via her Blog | Website | Twitter | Facebook 

And Ally's going on TOUR! Check out her tour stops here. TX fans, Ally's in Houston tonight! Be sure to go see her at Blue Willow!

Book Review:CINDERS & SAPPHIRES At Somerton Series by Leila Rasheed




Published by: Disney Hyperion
Released on: January 22, 2013
Series: At Somerton #1
Source: arc from publisher to review
4 Stars: I Really Enjoyed It!
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

One house, two worlds...

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton

Fans of Downton Abbey are sure to love this new series! Somerton provides fans with a stunning back drop of pre war England, the entanglement of society standards, politics, and a women's place in it all, a brutal social class within the confines of Somerton and that oh so enchanting forbidden romance that ensues with Lady Ada and Ravi. To top it all off there is deceit, scandal, and aw yes, that danger that comes when a women in high standing wants nothing more than to be well educated, follow her heart and think for herself. Not to mention this story takes place during the brink of an exciting, troublesome and trying time in both India and England, as well as within Lady Ada's own family. 

CINDERS & SAPPHIRES offers everything I love about this intriguing time period. This time in history was challenging and exciting and change always seemed to be right on the horizon. It was one of the themes I loved about this book, and the characters who wanted to embrace it. Lady Ada is a women who by society standards should be preparing to make herself available, yet all she wants to do is follow her desire to be well educated. I loved her for this. I admire her for wanting to break the mold and do something that allowed her to be independent. Lady Ada's father and her love interest Ravi and two others whom I admired for their stances and different views on the affairs of their countries, and society. 

I thought Leila did a brilliant job at showing me through Ravi how unsettled things in India were at this time, and the revolution that was taking place. There's also this incredibly richly detailed English society as well as a hierarchy within Somerton that mirrors that of this time period. Though I respected Lady Ada's father for being a man who stayed true to his standings in society, he also did what he felt was honorable and right. Though I understood that during this time period he does nothing wrong by putting Lady Ada in the position she finds herself in at the end of the book, I also loved that the entire time things are going on around her, she's plotting. The other character I admire in this story is Rose, Lady Ada's maid. It broke my heart over all that Rose has to deal with. To me she is just as strong as Lady Ada is, only Rose's strength lies within, and stays hidden from most everyone, but Lady Ada. I also liked how sympathetic Lady Ada is towards Rose and her talent, and her wanting to help her.

I am blown away that Leila not only have such a large cast of characters, but the fact she was able to keep up with all of them. I loved that this was written in third person, and how the story was able to jump around from the various family members, servants, and family friends, and not once feel confusing. More than that, I thoroughly enjoyed getting a first hand look into the hierarchy that makes up the servants within Somerton. Wow, some characters are just fabulous, and others, much like those they serve want nothing more than to pave a way for their own selfish greed and will do whatever they can to achieve their goal. Despite the good, the bad and the overly dramatic, each of the characters in this book have a role, and they played it well. 

Now that I've talked about the things that stood out to me, let's talk about one of the things that kept me hooked. The forbidden romance! I am a romantic at heart (sometimes), and I want nothing more than true love to work out, especially in a story like that. I couldn't agree more with Lady Ada when she claims she won't marry someone she doesn't love, though the person she loves is of a total different class than she is, and will not be allowed. This is also a period in time when secret notes expressing one's forbidden feelings for another can easily find themselves into the wrong hands were drastic things can happen. Boy does this add fuel to an already escalating fire that I'm sure will boil over into the next installment in this exciting series. I highly recommend picking this book up!

Stop by and check out the Clothing Glossary and the Somerton Family Tree in my Cinders and Sapphires blog tour here.

Blog Tour: Cinders & Sapphires Clothing Glossary

Welcome to today's Disney Hyperion CINDERS & SAPPHIRES blog tour. Today I'm thrilled to share with you the Clothing Glossary for Leila's debut. First, here's a little bit about the book:



Published by: Disney Hyperion
Released on: January 22, 2013
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

One house, two worlds...

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton


I love a well written historical story with romance, and plenty of intrigue, all of which Cinders & Sapphires has. If you're a fan of Downton Abbey, this is sure to be a must read for you! Sophie and I are both smitten with this book. She's already reviewed on Page Turners and my review will be up today, here on the blog.

Clothing Glossary:


Ascot–Men’s tie associated with formal dress, also known as a Cravat, tied with one loop or double knot, held in place with a tie pin.

Bloomers-Named after Amelia Jenks Bloomer known to be one of the first adopters of the wide leg full trousers gathered below the knee. Bloomers were popularly worn by women with the advent of the bicycle.

Bolero-An open front, sleeved or sleeveless jacket, almost reaching the waist. Often with braid or trim embellishments.

Challis-Lightweight plain woven fabric mainly used for blouses.

Drawers-Long loose fitting knickers worn to the ankle made to be viewed below skirts, usually made of cotton.

Duster-Long lightweight coat introduced during the late 19th century with the advent of the automobile. Worn while motoring to protect clothing from the dusty roads at the time. Dusters had long sleeves, high collar, and cut in full length.

Edwardian-A style of dress associated with the period between the 1900 to 1910. Showcased with clothing lines including high collars and long sleeved, voluminous bustline, fitted waistline and curved full hips. Skirts had majority of the fabric gathered at the back waistline and length reaches to the ankles.
Eton Jacket-Originally a boy's short waist-length jacket worn by students at Eton College in England from the mid 19th until the early 20th century. Similar short jacket styles became popular in the late 1900’s which became popular for women.

Frog-Decorative braid closure which loops over a braid toggle or button.

Grosgrain-Closely woven heavily ribbed ribbon. Popular trim used on hats.

Herringbone-Also known as chevron weave. Fabric pattern consisting of adjoining vertical rows of slanting lines, any two contiguous lines forming either a V or an inverted V.

Houndstooth-A fabric design of small jagged checks in the shape of a four-pointed star check design in a broken twill weave the checks are medium-sized and one of the colors is often white. Used for men's sports suiting.

Hourglass-Also known as ‘S’ curve silhouette. Shape exemplified with the Victorian and Edwardian period when women wore corsets to pull in the waist and push out the bust and hips. See Pigeon Front.

Leg-of Mutton Sleeve-A sleeve that is cut with a very full top that is gathered or pleated into the armhole, then tapers gradually to fit closely at the wrist. Popular style of the 1890s. It is also sometimes called by the French name for a leg of lamb, a gigot sleeve.

Mandarin Collar-Stand up collar on jackets, dresses and blouses, adapted from a close fitting Asian collar.

Motor Duster-see Dusters.

Newsboy Cap-A flat hat with a round full body, and multi paneled with a button on top, and often with a snap attaching the front of the hat to the small stiff brim in front. Cloths used to make the hat range from tweed (most common) to solid colors. Used as driving caps for summer wear and was popular in among both boys and adult men. As the name suggests, it is associated with newspaper boys and golfers.

Oxford-A woven fabric, employed to make the fabric in oxford shirts. The warp has two fine yarns paired together. The weft has one heavier, a softly spun fill yarn. A soft, basket-weave cotton used as one of the most popular fabrics for a dress shirt.

Pagoda Sleeve-A sleeve that is shaped much like an Asian building called a pagoda. The sleeve is narrow at the top where it fits the upper arm closely, then gradually flares out to become wide at the bottom. The shape is similar to a funnel, and so this sleeve style may also be called a funnel sleeve.

Pantalettes, Pantaloons-Also known as pantalet, long drawers extending below the skirt, with a frill or other finish at the bottom of the leg, commonly worn by women and girls

Peplum-A ruffle or flared section in the construction of a jacket, blouse or skirt that extends a short distance below the waistline or in attached to the hemline. Peplums may be sewn to the bodice or skirt, cut in one with the bodice or skirt.

Petticoat-An under skirt which fits around the waist with ties or elastic. Worn as a separate garment from the fashion skirt or dress. Gives the skirt or dress the desired fashionable shape and polishes the outer attire. Generally made of linen, cotton, muslin, or wool.

Pigeon Front-Also known as pouter pigeon front and hourglass silhouette. The design of a pigeon front has extra material gathered or pleated on the front of the blouse or dress which forms a pouch in the front. This pouching in front, combined with fullness in the rear of the skirt, produced the fashionable ‘S' curve silhouette of the early twentieth century. Blouses and dresses were full in front and puffed into a "pigeon breast" also known as monobosom shape that looked over the narrow waist, which sloped from back to front and was often accented with a sash or belt. Necklines were supported by very high boned collars and skirts brushed the floor, often with a train, even for day dresses, in mid-decade.

Pinafore-An apron with a bib front, halter neck and long skirt, that ties behind the waist.

Shirtwaist-Originally the word for a ladies blouse, the feminine version of a man’s shirt. Crisp tailored design with little lace and trimmings adorning this style of blouse.

Suspenders-Designed to hold up men’s trousers and knickers, consisting of two bands joined in the back and attached to trousers or knickers with buttons. Later designs attach with metal clips. Usually made of elastic, and known in UK as ‘braces’.

Taffeta-A crisp, smooth, plain-woven fabric with a glossy lustrous sheen. Made of various fibers, such as silk, rayon, or acetate, and used especially for women's eveningwear garments.

Tea Gown-A long loose-fitting gown formerly popular for wear at afternoon tea. This allowed corsets to be loosened or removed underneath. Characterized by unstructured lines, light fabrics, lace trim, and frothy or feminine detail.

Tweed-Fabric with a rugged, nub surface
, in any of various weaves of two or more colors or shades. Tweeds are desirable for outer wear, being moisture resistant and very durable, used chiefly for casual suits, hats, and coats.



Venise Lace- Also known as Venetian lace. A lace of varying thickness of thread available in hundreds of patterns. May be cut into motifs or used as all over lace. Made of either cotton or rayon This lace often has a high profile, and is made using a needlepoint technique rather than embroidery. A heavier weight lace, the patterns vary from geometric to floral. Each pattern is attached to the others by bars made of thread.



Walking Suit- consisting of a braid trimmed jacket with front closure and an ankle length skirt which flares at the back to permit easy walking.

Waistcoat- A men’s waist length, sleeveless garment worn under a jacket and over a shirt. Can be made of plain or embroidered fabrics, buttons up the front and usually had two small pockets. Today known as a vest.

Zouave Jacket- A collarless, waist length jacket, bolero style jacket with three quarter length sleeves. Worn as indoor and outdoor wear. Often with braid or trim embellishments.


The Family Tree (click on enlarge the picture)

I love how many characters play such a large roll in Cinders and Sapphires. If you're like me you like to draw the connections between each of the characters. Thank you to Disney-Hyperion, they've already drawn the connections for us. Check out this lovely Cinders and Sapphires Family Tree.


My glowing review for Cinders and Sapphires will be up shortly! If it's not a book already on your TBR list, I highly recommend adding it.

Who Is Marcus Finch? Clue #11



Welcome to Penguin Teen's Who is Marcus Finch? two week campgain! Over the next two week's myself and a handful of other fabulous blogs will be treating you to a daily quote/teaser, giving you clues into who Marcus is. Today's clue is:


Dying to get your hands on The Indigo Spell? Be sure here to by and read an excerpt from the book before it's out. Enter to win a copy of the book HERE


In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood. -quoted from Goodreads

Be sure to check out the Bloodlines Website, and visit the Bloodlines Facebook page.

Twitter Tuesday - Lilith St. Crow



Lilith St. Crow (who writes under the name Lili St. Crow for her YA Strange Angels series) tweeted yesterday that her son's school burned down. She shared footage of the school burning and I've placed it on the bottom of the post. It hurts my heart to watch it.

This paragraph from her post made me choke up. It's about her son and how one kid said that they saw him on the bus when he was actually home with Lili:

This is the kind of school Crestline is, where on the strength of one child saying “No, I saw him on the bus” the principal goes out to either find the kid or talk to the parent, less than ten minutes after school starts that day. This is the school where the office staff knows every student’s name and the teachers pour their souls–and most of their paychecks–into every kid in every class, not just their own. This is the school where any adult that’s not known on sight AND carrying a red volunteer badge or sticker is clustered by very polite but inflexible staff and volunteers, to be escorted to the office to sign in. It’s the school a ten-year-old boy loves so much he’s excited on Sunday night because Monday means he can go back. The place was held together by the steady commitment of teachers and office staff, who made it work with spit and baling wire some days, and volunteers who pitched in where they could even after their kids went on to other schools.

This is the school where nobody goes home until all the kids are accounted for at the end of the day.

If you can give any amount there's a DONATE button (please select Crestline Elementary in the drop down menu) on the school's website. A few dollars will help. Let's skip a latte/tea/fast food run and donate instead to a school that's run the way every one of our schools should be run.

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