Beautiful story. This simplicity of life described in Korea during this time frame was amazing. The importance of being honorable was also thoroughly Beautiful story. This simplicity of life described in Korea during this time frame was amazing. The importance of being honorable was also thoroughly conveyed throughout the story. The author used vivid and descriptive language and I felt I could see every detail unfolding in front of me. I had little to no expectations of this book and was blown away by its simplicity and beauty. I'm so curious as to why some people rated it lower than five stars that I'm compelled to go read prior ratings....more
Being a teacher, I could relate to this story. It was predictable in parts but touching. The changing narrator worked really well for this story. ToucBeing a teacher, I could relate to this story. It was predictable in parts but touching. The changing narrator worked really well for this story. Touching story and the way the kids felt and "thought" seemed spot on with how students process big events....more
This is a historical fiction book written in a diary style. I enjoyed learning about the daily life that occured during the time period. I'm not sure This is a historical fiction book written in a diary style. I enjoyed learning about the daily life that occured during the time period. I'm not sure if it's all true but it definitely seemed plausible and I found it interesting. However, the plot itself is a little dull, the characters are not well developed, and it was a very simplistic book. To me it seemed like a book solely created to tell some history in the more unique and interesting way than a textbook but it really didn't read as a novel or great book....more
Restart was a good premise for a book. Some of the characters seem more like they are high school than middle school but I can let that go. The bullyiRestart was a good premise for a book. Some of the characters seem more like they are high school than middle school but I can let that go. The bullying that happens in the book or is discussed, is pretty excessive and the fact that the boys get away with it so many times is ridiculous too. At any rate, interesting read even though at times it was very predictable....more
The False Prince really grew on me. In the beginning, I felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen but as the story unfolded, I didn't care if The False Prince really grew on me. In the beginning, I felt like I knew exactly what was going to happen but as the story unfolded, I didn't care if I already knew, I wanted to see it play out. The language is modern though the story is clearly from an much older time period of kingdoms. That also was a little hard for me to swallow in the beginning. However, I think kids will have an easier time reading this story and I quickly adjusted to that. Sage is an amazing character. I hope to read the next two!...more
I enjoyed this book immensely first because I remember my daughter reading it 5th grade and loving it so much. She wanted me to read it so badly but fI enjoyed this book immensely first because I remember my daughter reading it 5th grade and loving it so much. She wanted me to read it so badly but for one reason after another, I didn't...until now. Yes, it's another dystopian story but one set in a totally different place. I loved the apirt of the characters and always slightly disappointed that I have to read the next book to figure out what happens to them....more
Cinder started out slow and though this is not a "go to" genre for me, I soon became hooked on the story. The story picked up steam and though based lCinder started out slow and though this is not a "go to" genre for me, I soon became hooked on the story. The story picked up steam and though based loosely on Cinderella, had enough twists and turns to keep m y interest. I was disappointed in the ending and felt robbed however because the story didn't wrap up in a neat bow. I'm going to have to read the next book to figure out what happens next. I like a cliff-hanger but this was too much - not seeing the ending to the current predicament. I'm half tempted to not read the next book in fear that I won't have a satisfying ending again and then I'll have to read the third. Overall, a great read - just be warned that the plot doesn't wrap up in a nice bow!...more
Beautiful book. I wasn't expecting much from a 1941 Newberry book and thought it would be dull but I was wrong. It was amazing to read and learn a bitBeautiful book. I wasn't expecting much from a 1941 Newberry book and thought it would be dull but I was wrong. It was amazing to read and learn a bit about this small island's Polynesian culture. What struck me was how well the movie Moana, made over 70 years later matched. The main character often prays to Maui and is afraid of Moana, the sea god. Aside from that, the book was just beautiful and is a quick adventure, coming of age story....more
Great book! I've always heard such great things about this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very authentic to the time periGreat book! I've always heard such great things about this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very authentic to the time period. I listened to the audiobook and I loved the narration. The ending was a bit unrealistic to me as was the transformation of Charlotte Doyle in the middle parts but it was still interesting and tense trying to figure out what was going to happen next. ...more
I really enjoyed this book. I like puzzles and figuring things out so it was definitely intriguing. The only problem was the many hidden puzzles in thI really enjoyed this book. I like puzzles and figuring things out so it was definitely intriguing. The only problem was the many hidden puzzles in the beginning sort of distracted me from the plot of the book. I was sometimes trying to find the pattern with the pictures for example and found myself flipping through the book multiple times to find the connection between the pictures rather than the story. At any rate, the book was good overall and I would highly recommend to someone who is very math oriented as a way to jump in and enjoy books....more