This one is different than Colfer's other books in that it seems to be geared toward a younger crowd. It's less technical than his other books which IThis one is different than Colfer's other books in that it seems to be geared toward a younger crowd. It's less technical than his other books which I liked. The main character is similar to Artemis Fowl in many ways. They are both the same age, they're both highly intelligent, clever, and not exactly the most popular kid in school. But Fletcher Moon is not nearly as sinister as Artemis. As far as I know this is a stand alone but if he chooses to write a sequel for it I would be very interested in reading it. ...more
Of course it's good because Eoin Colfer doesn't know how to write anything less. There's plenty of action, the setting is interesting, and the charactOf course it's good because Eoin Colfer doesn't know how to write anything less. There's plenty of action, the setting is interesting, and the characters are entertaining. its all wrapped up in Colfer's signature style humor. All in all a fun read, I deducted a star because I felt that it was a little too violent for the age it was intended for. ...more
Aubrey loved the first one so much she asked me to read this one to her every morning while she was getting ready for school. It's another great advenAubrey loved the first one so much she asked me to read this one to her every morning while she was getting ready for school. It's another great adventure with Mr. Terupt and his beloved and endearing students. Fans of the first book will love this sequel. ...more
I love that she shared what it was like to be a child during the civil rights movement. I love that she shared what it was like to be raised Jehovah'sI love that she shared what it was like to be a child during the civil rights movement. I love that she shared what it was like to be raised Jehovah's Witness. What it was like when her parents split. The comparison between living in the south and living in the north. What it was like to grow up in her sister's shadow. I love that she never lost sight of her dream to become a writer even though she struggled at first. I especially love that her best friend, her forever friend, Maria, is still (after all these years) her forever friend. ...more
3.5 stars. I got this from the library for Aubrey to listen to. After she listened to it she told me that I needed to listen to it because it was real3.5 stars. I got this from the library for Aubrey to listen to. After she listened to it she told me that I needed to listen to it because it was really good. We listened to it together on the way to swimming lessons every morning. And she was right. It is really good. This is a light-hearted, feel-good kind of book. If you're in the mood for a cute, quick read with a happy ending this will fit the bill quite nicely....more
My girls loved this book. They laughed and laughed. It was easy for them to see themselves as Raina and Amara.. Anyone who's gone on a family vacationMy girls loved this book. They laughed and laughed. It was easy for them to see themselves as Raina and Amara.. Anyone who's gone on a family vacation will be able to relate to the characters in this book. ...more
I was having one-on-one time with my 13 year old daughter and we decided to stop in Barnes n' Noble while we were in town. I saw this book on the she I was having one-on-one time with my 13 year old daughter and we decided to stop in Barnes n' Noble while we were in town. I saw this book on the shelf and thought it looked like something that Serena might relate to since she will also be getting braces in the near future, And like the author, she's interested in art. She read it pretty quickly and handed it to her little sister who also zipped through it. One of the benefits of this book - it doesn't take long to read. I feel like the social experiences that the author had in middle school are pretty typical friendship issues that a lot of kids can relate to. I like how she felt empowered after finally standing up to her friends. I also like that she was able to focus on the things that she was good at, art and singing, and stopped worrying about her appearance and trying to be someone she wasn't just to attract a boy. I know that we will be having a lot of discussions about these issues with our girls and I think that this book will be a good Segway. I think/hope that Serena will find that her dental experiences will probably be a walk in the park in comparison to what this girl went through. Yikes! I will recommend this book to all the tweeners I know. ...more
3.5 stars. First of all, I want to say I started off with pretty low expectations. My initial reaction was, "Great. Another book about an orphan. Great3.5 stars. First of all, I want to say I started off with pretty low expectations. My initial reaction was, "Great. Another book about an orphan. Great. Another book about a socially awkward kid who doesn't fit in. How original." I totally was not expecting to get sucked in, I was not expecting the characters to be so endearing, especially, Willow. But I did get sucked in and the characters are endearing, especially, Willow.
The book is very well written. The voice of Willow Chance is haunting and will probably stick with me for a long time. I was touched by the kindness of some characters, I really disliked Del at first, but even he kind of grew on me after awhile. For me this book was a pleasant surprise. I would definitely be interested in reading something else by this author. ...more
This is a great book. Well worth the read. It kind of reminds me of Wednesday Wars. The voice of Julian Twerski is spot on. All of the characters are This is a great book. Well worth the read. It kind of reminds me of Wednesday Wars. The voice of Julian Twerski is spot on. All of the characters are believable and they kind of worm they're way into your heart. Many important lessons about life and relationships and how the choices we make today could impact what happens tomorrow and the day after that. The main point of the book is: "do the right thing because it's the right thing to do." So simple and yet so profound. ...more
Not my favorite book by this author but still worth reading. I enjoyed Sam's friendship with the new girl, Caroline. Not my favorite book by this author but still worth reading. I enjoyed Sam's friendship with the new girl, Caroline. ...more
This is Richard Peck at his finest. A nostalgic novel about WW 11. Includes unforgettable characters and Peck's signature wit. I highly recommend it! (4This is Richard Peck at his finest. A nostalgic novel about WW 11. Includes unforgettable characters and Peck's signature wit. I highly recommend it! (4.5 rating)...more
Ok I somehow managed to slog through the first 300 pages but I will not force myself to read any further. This book moves too SLOW! To be fair, I'm noOk I somehow managed to slog through the first 300 pages but I will not force myself to read any further. This book moves too SLOW! To be fair, I'm not a fan of fantasy anyway, but when I do read it I want it to have more action please. ...more
I wouldn't have picked this book up if it weren't for a recommendation from a friend that I trust. I've read a couple of other books by this same authI wouldn't have picked this book up if it weren't for a recommendation from a friend that I trust. I've read a couple of other books by this same author (her Newbery winners) and neither one really wowed me so I wasn't really anxious to read anymore of her books. But then I read my friend, Dawn's, review and thought that I would give it a try. So glad I did! It was a pleasure to read. I really grew to care about the characters and had to keep reading to find out what would happen to Jip. Paterson did a great job on this one, I highly recommend it! ...more
The main character, Donald Zinkoff is a very likable boy. He is oblivious to what others think of him. He loves everyone even though most people don'tThe main character, Donald Zinkoff is a very likable boy. He is oblivious to what others think of him. He loves everyone even though most people don't quite know what to think of him. He is unsinkable. He doesn't need a reason to be happy. He is a lot like Stargirl. Those two books have a lot in common, I like both of them, but feel that there is something missing. They're both good books, but somehow Spinelli has missed the mark with me. Reading a book by Spinelli is like having a salad for dinner. Salad is healthy and provides many vitamins and minerals, but somehow I don't feel fulfilled. I don't leave the table feeling satisfied.
Maniac Magee, on the other hand was spot on - a brilliantly written, 5-star novel. Because of this I will continue to read Spinelli's books in hopes that he will yet write another one like Maniac that carries his writing from good to great. ...more
Update (8/22/13): I forgot that I wanted to include this little lesson from Susan Sowerby: "Once when I was givin' th' children a bit of a preach afterUpdate (8/22/13): I forgot that I wanted to include this little lesson from Susan Sowerby: "Once when I was givin' th' children a bit of a preach after they'd been fightin' I ses to 'em all, 'when I was at school my jography told as th' world was shaped like an orange an' I found out before I was ten that th' whole orange doesn't belong to nobody. No one owns more than his bit of a quarter an' there's times it seems like there's not enow quarters to go round. But don't you - none o' you - think as you own th' whole orange or you'll find out you're mistaken, an' you won't find it out without hard knocks.... There's no sense in grabbin' at th' whole orange - peel an' all. If you do you'll likely not get even th' pips, an' them's too bitter to eat." If you can get past the Yorkshire accent there's a little gem of a message that we all could benefit from.
I typically don't like to read books that I'm already familiar with. I'm one of those kind of people who has to read the book first before watching the movie. If I do it the other way around then I feel like I already know what's going to happen so what's the point in reading the book. However, I read the book Heidi recently and I had seen the movie and was familiar with the story, but I still really enjoyed the book so I thought I'd give Secret Garden a try and of course I loved it.
One of the things that I love about this book is that there is so much excitement over the flowers growing in the spring and the birds building their nests and so much love for nature. Colin becomes healthy because he begins to spend more time outside in the garden, breathing in the fresh air and working the soil. Just as Clara in the book Heidi becomes healthy after she spends time in the fresh mountain air picking wildflowers and playing with the goats. Because I grew up in the country I can relate to this. I still get excited about the flowers popping up in the spring and I love to work in my garden and their is truly something inspiring about the "magic" of watching things grow and come alive.
It makes me sad to think that teaching our children to appreciate nature has become lost over the years. I think that it needs to be more than just an annual trip to the local Nature Preserve. If each child were given the responsibility to grow their own garden and then eat whatever they grew, our nations problems with obesity would be practically nonexistent. Of course, Colin didn't have cable TV, a WII, or a computer to lure him back in doors. His friends and everything that was interesting to him were all in the garden. Things were so different a hundred years ago when this classic story was written and I guess that's another reason why I love it so much because it gives me an opportunity to travel back in time when life was so much simpler even if it is only for a moment. ...more
I was surprised at what an impact this short little book could have. It's amazing how fleshed out the characters are too. I loved reading about these I was surprised at what an impact this short little book could have. It's amazing how fleshed out the characters are too. I loved reading about these four girls and how they develope a friendship in spite of their differences. I think Tuli is my favorite, she's so unpredictable and funny. The interactions between the characters, especially the dialogue, was very believable. I liked the message of don't be afraid of those who are different and also, how one person's kindness can influence the whole class. I guess my only complaint is that it's too short. Hamilton could've easily made it twice as long without losing her audience. I give it 3.5 stars. ...more
Meh. Not that great. It didn't seem like it was very well thought out. Just kind slapped together as one reviewer already said. Meh. Not that great. It didn't seem like it was very well thought out. Just kind slapped together as one reviewer already said. ...more
I recently read this to my two girls, ages 9 and 11. They were riveted the whole time! This book is a quick but intense read. We were rooting for RikkI recently read this to my two girls, ages 9 and 11. They were riveted the whole time! This book is a quick but intense read. We were rooting for Rikki Tikki the whole time! This book made me want to adopt a mongoose. ...more
Aubrey's teacher read this to all of the students in her 3rd grade class and she liked it so much she asked if I could get it from the library and reaAubrey's teacher read this to all of the students in her 3rd grade class and she liked it so much she asked if I could get it from the library and read it to her and Her sister. It's a quick read, we read the whole book in about an hour. It's a fun way for kids to learn about oxymorons, anagrams and palindromes. There are a lot of puns throughout the whole book which makes it more appealing for a younger audience. ...more
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