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The four Welch kids were devastated when their father was suddenly killed in a car accident. Then a few months later their mother was diagnosed with cancer and within three years of their father’s death they lost their mother as well. Amanda was 19, Liz 16, Dan 14 and Diana 8 when they were all sent to live with different families since no one wanted to take all four together. The kids struggled to cope with the loss of both parents and being separated from each other. It takes five more years before all the kids are fully back in contact or living together again. This is an incredible story of the powerful bond between siblings who had only each other to rely on.

Reviewed by Jessica B., Mint Hill Branch

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If you had to tell the story of your life in six words, could you? That is exactly what thousands of people have done through six-word memoirs on SMITHmag.net. What started as an Internet phenomenon, culminated in the publication of two books. The most recent book, It All Changed In an Instant, is full of funny, heartbreaking, profound and silly memoirs written by obscure and famous writers alike. These memoirs provide a glimpse into other people’s lives and it is amazing how much you can learn about a person in six words. This is a quick and entertaining read that anyone can enjoy.

Reviewed by Laura M., Sugar Creek

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Every cake has a story. And those stories are much more than just decorations and calories, according to Jen Yates, creator of the popular web site CakeWrecks.com. To share her favorite cake stories, Yates compiled the best of the worst cake wrecks from her blog into an entertaining book, mixing photos with background stories, facts and humor. Yates defines a cake wreck as “any professionally made cake that is unintentionally sad, silly, creepy, inappropriate…not necessarily a poorly made cake; it’s simply one I find funny, for any number of reasons.” Readers too will find this collection of celebrated cakey wreckage hilarious, satisfying that sweet tooth with laughter instead of sugar.

Reviewed by Kim W., University City Regional

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The Secret Holocaust Diaries: The Untold Story of Nonna Bannister is the haunting eye-witness account of Nonna Lisowskaja, a young girl who lived through the horrors of Stalin and Hitler. Set in southern Russian and the Ukraine, Nonna's wealthy family is representative of how thousands, if not millions, of eastern Europeans were affected by World War II. Nonna's
memoir shows how her extended family helped her mature as a child and 
become a woman of strength. The storyline is one of faith and forgiveness
and how family love endures throughout the darkest of times. Included are numerous photos that survived the Holocaust.

Reviewed by Carolyn T.

This book review was submitted on-line by a Reader's Club patron.

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Cupcake, an 11-year old girl, wakes up one morning to find her mother dead after suffering from a seizure in her sleep. With her biological father
not wanting to care for her, Cupcake's entire world falls into the hands
of "the system". After being placed in foster care where she is
constantly abused, both physically and sexually, Cupcake decides she wants 
out of her abusive world. She relies on "the streets" to care for her
and is soon introduced to prostitution, gangs, violence, drugs, crime,
and alcohol. Fortunately, through encouragement, faith, strength, and determination, she completely turns her life around. A Piece of Cake is
an extraordinary memoir that will leave you breathless, hopeful, and
inspired.

Reviewed by Talisha C., Beatties Ford Road Branch

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