The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

An extraordinary debut weaving magic and heroism into a classic tale of good and evil, featuring a heroine you'll never forget.

Inquisitive twelve-year-old Alexa Daley is spending another summer in the walled town of Bridewell. This year, she is set on solving the mystery of what lies beyond the walls. Legend says the walls were built to keep out an unnamed evil that lurks in the forests and The Dark Hills. But what exactly is it that the townspeople are so afraid of?

As Alexa begins to unravel the truth, pushing beyond the protective barrier she's lived behind all her life, she discovers a strange and ancient enchantment -- and exposes a danger that could destroy everything she holds dear.
~Amazon.com

Every time I go to the library I end up in the kid's section.  Why?  Because my daughter is with me and that's where the kid computers are.  She loves going to the library but generally I'm done before she is so I look around the middle-grade books and this one has caught my eye on several occasions.  It's short (only 251 pages) and very cute.  Originally I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it, I mean let's be serious...I'm in my thirties and reading something for kids.  Was it going to keep my attention?  Would it be as interesting as the cover and the back made it seem?  Would it surprise me?

Yes, yes, and yes.  I ultimately read it in one day although I had several interruptions.  Once I got to about the second or third chapter I was ready to buckle down and see what happened to cute little Alexa.  I mean, I am kind of like her!  I longed for adventure in the little town I grew up in.  I desperately wanted freedom to explore but there weren't that many places to go to.  Had I lived in the Land of Elyon I could see myself doing just what she did.  Finally, it kept me guessing about who was on whose side.  Which character was good?  Who could she trust? How would she get out of the different jams she found herself in. 

Ultimately I will be reading this to my daughter when she gets a little older.  Actually I wouldn't mind reading it to her now even though she's only four and a half.  We have just started to introduce chapter books to her and this one is filled with adventure and fun characters.  All in all I loved it and can't wait to read the second book in the series.