This book is generating lots of buzz and, after reading it, I'd say it's well deserved. Jennifer Nielsen has crafted a smart tweak on The Prince and tThis book is generating lots of buzz and, after reading it, I'd say it's well deserved. Jennifer Nielsen has crafted a smart tweak on The Prince and the Pauper, with great action and delicious setting details. I loved the anti-hero, Sage, and his grand and (apparently) miscalculated adventures. Strong writing kept me turning the pages. I did have a hard time with one major plot point but that didn't keep me from enjoying every second of my time in the world the author created. This book, the first in a trilogy, screams "movie."...more
True confessions: I am not a huge Nordic mythology/history fan. But this book caught me from the opening pages and I devoured every word. What writer True confessions: I am not a huge Nordic mythology/history fan. But this book caught me from the opening pages and I devoured every word. What writer wouldn't connect with the second daughter of a king--neither heir nor possible marriage material--who has the heart of a skald, a story teller? This fast-paced adventure in the fiords kept me turning pages well past bedtime. I have heard good things about Mr. Kirby's first book so plan to seek that out, as well....more
It has been a long time since I've read such a lively, genuinely funny book. Please don't tell the author, but I think I may love this book even more It has been a long time since I've read such a lively, genuinely funny book. Please don't tell the author, but I think I may love this book even more than I love his Origami Yoda series! Horton is the kitchen boy who cannot break the rules but when he meets Celia, the wealthy young lady one manor over, all bets are off. In this rollicking tale, smelly stable boys best world renowned detectives, corsets are unloosened and much mud and mire is spattered about. A sweeter Series of Unfortunate Events married to Matilda, this book should be placed in the hands of as many readers as possible. This would be the perfect winter holiday read!...more
Fast paced and funny, this sports book is full of heart. Ernie Dolan heads off to basketball camp with his best friend and feels out of his league froFast paced and funny, this sports book is full of heart. Ernie Dolan heads off to basketball camp with his best friend and feels out of his league from the get-go. The stress triggers his stutter marking him an easy target for camp hotshot and bully, Rick Craig. Thanks to the help of a prank-playing roomie, a big-hearted mentor and his own brave self, Ernie not only survives the camp, but thrives. Voted best intermediate book by the kids of Nevada, for the Nevada Young Readers award. ...more
I came to this book with high expectations. The writing had been so highly praised elsewhere that I was left puzzled by the reliance on coincidence anI came to this book with high expectations. The writing had been so highly praised elsewhere that I was left puzzled by the reliance on coincidence and the high level of adult participation in Ben's story. It could be that I am the wrong demographic for graphic novels, even though I grew up on comic books. I think Brian Selznik makes beautiful art, but I think there's room to grow in his storytelling....more
I read this a while back, in ARC form. The cover is absolutely stunning. Wow! And the story inside that cover is just great. Though it's hard to accepI read this a while back, in ARC form. The cover is absolutely stunning. Wow! And the story inside that cover is just great. Though it's hard to accept that the 1960s qualify as a setting for historical fiction, I have to remind myself that, to many of those who will read this book, they are.
I appreciated the author's sensitive perspective on a very distressing time period, and I also appreciated that the kid problem was the central theme, avoiding the creation of an "issue" book. Glory is a rich and complex character who rings true in all of her thoughts and deeds. And it is summertime and she is dad-blamed hot and sweaty and wants nothing more than to cool off in the city swimming pool. Which the town leaders have up and closed, rather than have to integrate. So now Glory is hopping mad, in addition to being blue-blazes hot, and she is not the type of kid to take this kind of situation sitting down. Well, she does sit down. . . to write a letter, which does NOT get published in the town newspaper. But Glory does not let that stop her. I will let you read for yourself how that all transpires.
There was a nice push-pull between Glory and her big sister, as there would be between someone Glory's age and a teen-ager. I thought the author captured that frisson incredibly believably. Loved that Glory snuck along on the sister's pilgrimage to Elvis' childhood home with her sweetheart!
I was challenged by Glory friend Frankie's situation; it was hard to accept that his brother and father could be so relentlessly awful. I realize terrible things happened in that time period but their actions seemed at odds with the overall tone of the book.
That is my one small picky and should not keep you from snatching up this book and reading it with enthusiasm and satisfaction. ...more
What I love most about a Linda Urban book is the white space she leaves for me as a reader to enmesh myself in a story. She has really mastered that uWhat I love most about a Linda Urban book is the white space she leaves for me as a reader to enmesh myself in a story. She has really mastered that urge to explain many of us suffer from. I loved Mattie from the get-go and having suffered as the new kid myself almost every year of my growing up, I could definitely relate to her plan to avoid lunches and recess by earning the right to be her Uncle Potluck's custodial apprentice.
Linda notices the small things that make a huge difference in people's lives and that is what makes her writing and her stories such stand outs.
This is a sweet, feel-good read that I will come back to again and again....more
The only thing I don't like about this book is the fact that I didn't think of it! Mary Casanova has a grand time turning the old outlaw story on its The only thing I don't like about this book is the fact that I didn't think of it! Mary Casanova has a grand time turning the old outlaw story on its ear, complete with rollicking tall tale language and lots of humor. Ard Hoyt's illustrations are perfect: love Sam's big ears and Dirk's balloon body on bandy bow legs. Give this to your favorite librarian!...more
I read this book under ideal conditions -- at the beach! In fact, the last two chapters were read in a bed that has a view of the Strait of Juan de FuI read this book under ideal conditions -- at the beach! In fact, the last two chapters were read in a bed that has a view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with a hot cup of really good coffee at my side. So perhaps this review should be taken with a grain of. . .sand. That confession made, I have to say this might be one of my favorite of the Penderwicks' stories so far. Skye's struggles with being appointed OAP for the duration of a summer trip to Maine really touched me. Batty gets a new friend and Jane experiences first love as only a writer of her caliber could. Maybe one could dicker about a major turn of events in the story but it felt very Austenish and just right to me. I loved looking back to the places where this wonderful writer gave us hints about this turn. I also enjoy reading about a family that is fiercely dedicated to one another, but not sticky-sweet about it. My only complaint is that after reading about all those trips to Moose Market, I really wanted a piece of pie. ...more
I really, really dislike books that are too busy. By that I mean a story that contains too many plot points that seem unrelated.
I have just been schoI really, really dislike books that are too busy. By that I mean a story that contains too many plot points that seem unrelated.
I have just been schooled by Gary Schmidt whose Okay for Now has plot points beyond counting -- abusive dad, new kid in town, delinquent brother, injured Vietnam vet brother, first crush, learning to be an artist, missing Audubon prints and one more thing that I won't mention because it's a spoiler -- and it all fits together in a compelling and true way. I laughed, I cried, I got furious that the town would tear apart a valuable book for mere money and never once did I stop rooting for Doug.If I were feeling nitpicky I might grumble a bit about the father's transformation but otherwise this seems like a Mary Poppins' book -- practically perfect in every way!
I picked this up at the Columbus Airport for the flight home from Ohio. It was on sale and after reading it, I was glad I didn't pay full price. It waI picked this up at the Columbus Airport for the flight home from Ohio. It was on sale and after reading it, I was glad I didn't pay full price. It was definitely okay but I don't get what all the buzz was about. I couldn't reconcile the minute financial information and relative blandness of Michael's life with the lurid and graphic slices of his young colleague's life; they seemed to be two ill-fitting stories....more
The story kept me up far too late last night. I kept vacillating from horror at what people can do to each other to amazement as Louie Zamperini endurThe story kept me up far too late last night. I kept vacillating from horror at what people can do to each other to amazement as Louie Zamperini endured and survived one cruel situation after another during World War II.
As compelling as his story is, I didn't feel the writing lived up to the same level. In her author's note, Laura Hillenbrand twice mentions an illness; perhaps that kept her writing from being her best. Regardless, if you are a history buff, this is a must-add to your shelves. ...more
I was a complete sucker for this sweet English love story between two unlikely people. Major Pettigrew is a bit of a stuffed shirt but he has a good hI was a complete sucker for this sweet English love story between two unlikely people. Major Pettigrew is a bit of a stuffed shirt but he has a good heart that his blossoming friendship with a shopkeeper's widow awakens.
True confession: I am a sucker for chapter books, those books for the newly confident and independent 1st through 3rd grade reader. The drama! The humTrue confession: I am a sucker for chapter books, those books for the newly confident and independent 1st through 3rd grade reader. The drama! The humor! The great characters! My daughter and I read nearly all of Patrica Reilly Giff's Polk Street School Kids series, back in the day.
Kate Messner's addition to that genre is welcome and delightful. Marty is a tomboy who, to her great dismay, gets cast as the princess in the Princess and the Frog play at school. Her mom won't let her back out and through a series of events, Marty finds a way to make the part her very own.
Friendship is such a key component of chapter books and Marty is shown struggling with the changes in her own friend, Annie, who seems to be falling under the spell of bossy-pants, Veronica. (What is it about that name? That's what I named a know-it-all girl in an unpublished chapter book manuscript of my own!)
Three cheers to Kate Messner for this thoroughly enjoyable addition to books for younger readers. ...more