It's been a little while since I Hopped, so I think I'll join in the fun this week. Besides, I'm still *recovering* from my Hawaiian vacation (which was fabulous, by the way), so this will be a nice break for me while I'm still frantically trying to catch up on book reviews. I'm only 4 behind at the moment - someday I'll get back on track! In the mean time, you should really Hop along with me. All you need to do is head over to Crazy For Books and sign up. Easy cheesy, as my kids would say.

On to this week's question: As a book blogger, how do you introduce yourself in your profile?

- The short answer is: Look over on my left sidebar and you can see for yourself. The long answer? I decided to go with more of an introduction to the blog rather than to myself on the main page, since I figure that's what new visitors most want to know. My intro's kind of wordy, but it gets the job done :) The (More Than You Ever Wanted to Know) About Me tab at the top of my blog gives readers the - optional - opportunity to learn more about me personally. This way really works for me.

How about you? What's your approach? And what do you think of mine? Should I snazz up my profile? My About Me page? What say you?

If you're visiting BBB for the first time, welcome! I'm so glad you're here. Feel free to take a look around and leave me lots of comments. I'll be sure to return the favor. If you're one of my "oldies-but-goodies," thanks so much for hanging out with me. Hopefully, you already know how much I love you and appreciate your loyalty. I'm working on all kinds of new reviews, so whether you're a new reader or an old one, keep checking back for new content.

Have a wonderful weekend, everybody. Happy Reading!

In a daze, Isla wanders through the hospital, stopping when she says a guy about her age attached to an IV pole. Henry Brambling is funny, kind, and doesn't tease Isla about her fervent love for the outdoors the way other teenagers do. He's also a patient in the cancer ward. With his leukemia in remission, Henry doesn't seem as sick as Isla's dad - at least Henry's got the energy to tease her and show her around the hospital. And when Isla spots an injured swan floating on the pond outside Henry's window, he agrees to keep an eye on it for her.

Helping the swan fly becomes Isla's new mission. An irrational voice inside her whispers that if she can cure the bird, she can cure her father. Henry, too. But as the swan stubbornly resists her efforts to heal it, so do the two people Isla wants to help the most. Isla knows she can't fail, can't lose everything dear to her, but as she observes all the broken bodies around her, her faith fails her. What if she doesn't succeed? What if she loses them all?

Flyaway, the new (available October 1) middle-grade book by YA novelist Lucy Christopher is a gentle story about a young girl's determination to save her beloved father. Its emphasis on swans makes it original, while its exploration of fear and hope in the face of a crisis makes it universal. Flyaway is touching, thouh not in a way that's overdone or cheesy. Like Isla herself, the story is brave, hopeful and quietly moving. Somber maybe, but also fresh and uplifting. Like watching a swan launch into the sky, triumphantly soaring into the clouds.

(Readalikes: Reminded me a litte bit of The Healing Spell by Kimberley Griffiths Little)

Grade: B

If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG for mild language and intense situations

To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Flyaway from the generous folks at Scholastic. Thank you!