I just finished young adult novel: The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal and I really enjoyed it.  It's got a little of everything: adventure, romance, royalty, magic.  I think girls ages 10-14 would really like it.

I made a simple version of tiramisu last night.  This recipe does not call for coffee or liquor, so it is a little different from what we were used to, but it was chocolate!  I let the kids decorate it with miniature meringue cookies.

Martha Stewart's Double Chocolate Tiramisu

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for garnish
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 bar (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 24 ladyfinger cookies (from a 7-ounce package)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix cocoa powder with 1 1/2 cups very hot water until dissolved; set cocoa mixture aside. In a small microwave-safe bowl, place 1/4 cup cream and chocolate; microwave in 1-minute increments, and stir until melted. Cool to room temperature.
2. Transfer cooled chocolate mixture to a mixing bowl; add cream cheese and sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat until blended. Add remaining cream; beat chocolate filling until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. Spread 1 cup chocolate filling in the bottom of a 2-quart serving dish. One at a time, dip 6 ladyfingers in cocoa mixture, then arrange in a single layer in dish; spread with 1 cup chocolate filling. Repeat with three more layers, ending with filling.
4. Cover tiramisu, and refrigerate at least 2 hours (or up to 2 days). Dust with cocoa powder before serving.