This was originally posted for Waiting on Wednesday, a weekly meme sponsored by Breaking the Spine. Okay, okay, I diverted from the usual can’t-wait-for-it BOOK and substituted a movie. But you’ll have to forgive me this once. I loved The Hunger Games Trilogy. Rarely do I see a movie before it hits DVD, but for this one, I’ll […]
I've reviewed lots of books and written 20 of my own.
The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, book 3), Rick Riordan, 2007, Book Review
The Titan’s Curse is the third book in the Percy Jackson series, and while I’ve enjoyed them all, the first one is still my favorite. But I must say again how much I like Riordan’s style. It’s so funny! I mean, check out this first line, “The Friday before winter break, my mom packed me an […]
Newbery Honor Books, 1990-1999
Here’s another batch of Newbery Honor books and links to where to find them as well as to my reviews. Asterics indicate books I’ve read but not reviewed. How many have you read? 1999 A Long Way From Chicago, by Richard Peck. * 1998 Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine. * Lily’s Crossing, by Patricia Reilly Giff. […]
The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner, book 2), by James Dashner, 2010, Book Review
This is the second in a series of books. If you haven’t read my review for The Maze Runner, check out that post first. The Scorch Trials continues the bizarre series of events that have baffled Thomas since he had his memory erased before entering The Maze. Just when we thought Thomas and his friends are […]
On My Honor, by Marion Dane Bauer, 1986, Book Review
Joel didn’t want to ride out to Starved Rock Bluffs, let alone climb them, but Tony wouldn’t leave him alone. He talked his dad into giving him permission, hoping the whole time that he wouldn’t succeed. But his dad said yes, and the boys set off on their bikes, and Tony stopped at the bridge […]
Divergent, by Veronica Roth, 2011, Book Review
I’m becoming more and more a fan of the dystopian genre. I’ve read some very good ones this year, and Divergent ranks high. Beatrice lives in what used to be Chicago, but it has become a land of factions. Five faction, to be exact, which all follow their own philosophy about how to live in peace: […]
The Abduction (Theodore Boone series), by John Grisham, 2011, Book Review
John Grisham pretty much holds a monopoly on courtroom thrillers for adults. He’s become a household name. I mean, what adult hasn’t read at least one of his books or seen a movie based on them? In this series, he’s trying his hand at the children’s genre. My recommendation? Stick with adults, John. In The Abduction, […]
The Monster Ring, by Bruce Coville, 1982, Book Review
This is my favorite Halloween story, one I’ve shared with my kids this time of year a couple times. One that’s scary, yet appropriate, fun and yet, well…scary! Within, eleven-year-old Russell Crannaker is tired of putting up with Eddie. The school bully is continually stealing his lunch money and pushing him around. But that’s about […]
Sent (The Missing: Book 2), by Magaret Peterson Haddix, 2009, Book Review
***This is book two of The Missing series. If you haven’t read book one, Found, check out that review first, read that book, and then meet me back here.*** I don’t always review more than one book in a series, but in this case, the sequel was as good as the original. At the end of book one, […]
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo, 2006, Book Review
This is an adorable novel with the sweetly nostalgic feel of an old classic, which Bagram Ibatoulline intensifies with his stunning illustrations. It reminded me greatly of Margery William’s The Velveteen Rabbit. I would estimate the independent reading level suitable for tweens, but the story is a fabulous read-aloud for children as young as four and five, […]