This book, by the author of Tuck Everlasting, is a fable about a town that has a mysterious "monster" in Knee-Knock Rise and all the tales and storiesThis book, by the author of Tuck Everlasting, is a fable about a town that has a mysterious "monster" in Knee-Knock Rise and all the tales and stories associated with the small townfolk below the Rise. It is a charming children's book and was an enjoyable, relaxing read....more
This was a pretty entertaining young adult read. I'm not a huge fan of fantasy book so it was a stretch for me. The story tells of evil librarians tryThis was a pretty entertaining young adult read. I'm not a huge fan of fantasy book so it was a stretch for me. The story tells of evil librarians trying to take over the world and Alcatraz and his family/friends working to save it. I think this would be a good book for 6th to 8th graders. The narrator frequently interrupts the story to explain different literary devices that authors use and to make fun of writers, which I found entertaining. It's not the sort of book I would normally read, but found that it was a well-written, a 3-star read....more
2.5 stars. This book was for book club reading. I'm not a big fan of fantasy and while this appears to be a book for adults, it really reads like youn2.5 stars. This book was for book club reading. I'm not a big fan of fantasy and while this appears to be a book for adults, it really reads like young adult or children's fantasy. The characters, while all "magical," don't have good character development and the plot is extremely predictable and very saccharine. I really had to force myself to keep reading. The story is basically a sententious tale that states, over and over again, "Be kind to those who are different." A good message, but not well-told....more
David Butler's book talks about many aspects of God's powers and grace as the Almighty. I enjoyed most the chapters about prayer and why God, being alDavid Butler's book talks about many aspects of God's powers and grace as the Almighty. I enjoyed most the chapters about prayer and why God, being all-powerful doesn't always "fix" things or answer prayers the way we expect. While I enjoyed the book, I didn't love the writing style; it is definitely geared toward a young adult audience. I would recommend it to younger readers....more
This is a fun, quick graphic novel about the Avengers. They answer Nova's question about what makes a hero. This is a fun, quick graphic novel about the Avengers. They answer Nova's question about what makes a hero. ...more
I really enjoyed this guide to the various peoples and prophets in the Book of Mormon. It is beautifully illustrated and organized in an easy-to-read,I really enjoyed this guide to the various peoples and prophets in the Book of Mormon. It is beautifully illustrated and organized in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand format. I read much of this book to my g'little who really enjoyed the history of the prophet and the activities that are interspersed in each account. The activities help make the lessons to become more current and understandable for younger children....more
3.5 Stars. Stanley Yelnats, whose name is spelled the same way backwards and forwards, was just sent to a teenage detention center/camp for kids who 3.5 Stars. Stanley Yelnats, whose name is spelled the same way backwards and forwards, was just sent to a teenage detention center/camp for kids who have committed some sort of crime. Stanley was accused of stealing sneakers and arrested. But, really, the sneakers just fell out of the sky! At the camp, the boys are supposed to build character and reflect on their crimes, by digging holes! Holes, holes, and more holes! However, it's apparent that the warden has an ulterior motive for having the boys dig holes, day after day.
This is a fun read and I think it would be great for younger readers - maybe 8 to 12 years. It has humor, some mystery, a little treachery, and teenage antics. ...more
3.5 Stars. Raymond Jaffe is a 16-year-old who feels like he doesn't belong anywhere....his family, his school, etc. After his only friend moves away, 3.5 Stars. Raymond Jaffe is a 16-year-old who feels like he doesn't belong anywhere....his family, his school, etc. After his only friend moves away, he befriends a 90-something-year-old woman, Mrs. Mildred Guttermann, who came from Nazi Germany when she was 11 years old and is now widowed, blind, and alone. She meets Raymond when she asks him if he has seen Luis Velez. This one question is the driving force for his diligent search for Luis Velez and leads to many changes in his life and the lives of others. This was a young adult book that has a very positive feeling to it and has many characters who demonstrate the desire to help others and generally be good people. The story does have a positive "coming of age" theme that emphasizes that it's okay to be different and that one can "belong" without being the "typical" teenager, man, woman, family, etc.
The positive tone and frequent "magical" good fortune that happens to Raymond were fun and rather refreshing for a YA book. It was entertaining for him to meet various men named Luis Velez, who were mostly very nice, generous people. Despite the tragic outcome for the original Luis Velez, there were amazingly positive coincidences and a plethora of happy outcomes. However, it was also extremely unrealistic. It also had a ton of issues "thrown in" - divorce, bi-racial families, step-families, injustice in the justice system, support systems, prejudice, Holocaust, sexuality, ethnicity, etc. There just wasn't time to adequately address or develop characters to represent all of the topics introduced. The book would've been better if it didn't try to "touch" on so very many issues. Also, it was amazing how everything just seemed to work out and cash "appeared" when Raymond needed it. So....for a quick, "feel good" read it's enjoyable, but don't expect much reality or knowledge.
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley writes some very good novels for youth. This story tells about two sisters in foster care who have had a truly tragic childhKimberly Brubaker Bradley writes some very good novels for youth. This story tells about two sisters in foster care who have had a truly tragic childhood. It addresses the delicate and intense issues of a mother with meth addiction, childhood sexual abuse, travesties in the foster system, bullying, and children who have to be adults before they have a childhood. Many of these issues are felt by so many children and they often have no "available" adults to support them. These issues color and impact their lives into adulthood.
This was an interesting story, but I didn't feel that the writing and development were as good as the previous books I've read by the author....more
Raina has a terrible stomach ache. She becomes afraid of the flu, assignments at school, unkind children at school, getting sick, and other life stresRaina has a terrible stomach ache. She becomes afraid of the flu, assignments at school, unkind children at school, getting sick, and other life stresses. It seems like a good introduction to children to help them understand the impact of fear and feelings on their physical health. This story also shows that everyone has fears and stresses. Raina gets help to understand her feelings by talking with a therapist. I think this is a good and rather light...more
I enjoyed this graphic novel about Cat and Maya and her family who move to a new town. The family is moving to a new town in Northern California, wherI enjoyed this graphic novel about Cat and Maya and her family who move to a new town. The family is moving to a new town in Northern California, where the weather will be more beneficial to Maya's health. Maya has cystic fibrosis. Cat, Maya's older sister, is not happy about the move and leaving her friends. They start to make new friends who teach them about the Day of the Dead celebration and introduce them to ghosts. There are touching parts about the family's support of Maya's illness and their togetherness. Some of the storyline about the Day of the Dead and the ghosts isn't accurate. ...more
I love the musical Daddy Long Legs with Fred Astaire and didn't realize that the story came from a book. This is a delightful little young adult storyI love the musical Daddy Long Legs with Fred Astaire and didn't realize that the story came from a book. This is a delightful little young adult story about Jerusha Abbott, who is an orphan. Fortunately, Jerusha (Judy) has an anonymous benefactor who decides to pay for her education. This epistolary tale tells of her experiences at college and falling in love. I enjoyed the sweet story. ...more
This is another Maynard Moose series story with a twisted version of a fairy tale about Rapunzel ("Punzel") and the eight or nine "seven dwarfs." I liThis is another Maynard Moose series story with a twisted version of a fairy tale about Rapunzel ("Punzel") and the eight or nine "seven dwarfs." I listened to the CD version & read along in the book with my g'littles. They laughed at the silly language and twisted version of the story. It was cute.....but I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. It was pretty funny that the "story teller" couldn't seem to come up with a moral for the story....and I liked his conclusion that sometimes there just isn't a moral to the story!. It was fun to hear the book read (& it made it easier to follow the made-up words!)...more
3.5 stars. This is a twist of the tale of The Ugly Duckling. My g'littles read this to me today. It tells about Maynard Moose who is mistaken for a li3.5 stars. This is a twist of the tale of The Ugly Duckling. My g'littles read this to me today. It tells about Maynard Moose who is mistaken for a little duckling. The story uses made-up words and twisted grammar to tell the story from the little Moose's point of view. My g'littles thought this was very funny to have the moose and ducklings speak in this twisted manner. It was little disconcerting for me to have to read this twisted language - but it was definitely cute, and sometimes funny. He is mistreated as an "uglified" duckie. The tale shares a moral that everyone has something unique and special about them. I enjoyed hearing my g'littles read and enjoy the tale....more
4.5 Stars. I do love Winnie-the-Pooh and the Hundred Acre Woods! I enjoyed re-reading this book from childhood. I enjoy reading these stories of Pooh 4.5 Stars. I do love Winnie-the-Pooh and the Hundred Acre Woods! I enjoyed re-reading this book from childhood. I enjoy reading these stories of Pooh and his friends over and over. I also love Shepard's beautiful illustrations that bring back wonderful memories of reading and childhood fun with Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Christopher Robin, Eeyore, Tiger, Rabbit, etc....
3.5 stars. This is a charming story of a missionary family in the 1890's who is living a Japan. The story is based on true experiences of the author w3.5 stars. This is a charming story of a missionary family in the 1890's who is living a Japan. The story is based on true experiences of the author whose family lived as missionaries in Japan. The story is told from the children's perspective and shares their daily experiences living and learning in Japan. The family receives a wonderful, prized gift from the Emperor during their stay. There are enchanting adventures as they learn about Japanese culture and become friends with the people of the village....more
I love this story from Thomas Monson's childhood. It's a sweet memory of a child learning the joy of giving at Christmas, and the great pleasure givinI love this story from Thomas Monson's childhood. It's a sweet memory of a child learning the joy of giving at Christmas, and the great pleasure giving brings. It's easy to relate to this story about the excitement of a young man receiving a prized gift, an electric train. The artwork beautifully compliments the story. ...more
This book has four Christmas stories: (1) the birth of Jesus described through scriptural accounts; (2) the experience of Micah, a traveler to BethlehThis book has four Christmas stories: (1) the birth of Jesus described through scriptural accounts; (2) the experience of Micah, a traveler to Bethlehem, who encounters Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus; (3) a collection of quotes about the birth of Jesus: and (4) Walter and his family's experience of miracles around St. Nicholas Day. I found the last story especially charming and the author shared details about German traditions related to Christmas. The artwork for all of the stories is beautiful. I think this book can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. I have collected a large library of Christmas children's books over the years, as part of our family's Christmas traditions and am enjoying re-reading many of them to memorialize my thoughts and to review these books. I've read them to my children, and are reading many to my grandchildren....but I enjoy just reading them for me as well!...more