Ms. Haddix has created another intriguing, vastly imaginative and clean adventure for middle readers. Jonah and Katherine have been sent to 1611 to fix the Ripple released by Second, a maverick time traveler from the future, in 1605. Their journey lands them on the deck of the Discovery, captained by Henry Hudson the great (or […]
Trail of Fate (the Youngest Templar, book two), by Michael P. Spradlin, 2009, Book Review
This is the second book in The Youngest Templar series. If you are unfamiliar with the first one, read my review. Wow! Michael P. Spradlin knows how to write a cliffhanger! I need to write this quickly and start the next book. It’s sitting here beside me. Tristin, Maryam and Robard survive book one’s shipwreck, […]
My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George, 1959, Book Review
“I left New York in May. I had a penknife, a ball of cord, an ax, and $40, which I had saved from selling magazine subscriptions. I also had some flint and steel which I had bought at a Chinese store in the city.” And with that, Sam Gribley left his city apartment filled with […]
The Medusa Plot (The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, book one), by Gordon Korman, 2011, Book Review
Frankly, I was pretty disappointed in this book; however, I have not read the original 39 Clues series (I’ve since read the first). I thought this was it, but after a few pages it became obvious I had missed something. There were lots of references to prior adventures and a search for the ingredients of […]
The Maze of Bones (39 Clues, book one), by Rick Riordan, 2008, Book Review
I enjoyed this story. I can’t say I loved it, and part of that reason may be because I listened to it on CD with my boys over a two-week period instead of reading it alone in a couple of days. But it also left me feeling a little gypped. Titles from today’s commercial fiction […]
Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble, by D. Robert Pease, 2011, Book Review
One thousand plus years into the future of our solar system, Earth has been destroyed. People now live on Mars and Venus, fly around in the coolest space ships, and utilize amazing technology (like holopads, personal flying thermsuits, chef-bots that speak with French accents, and neuro implants). They’ve even perfected time travel. But, unfortunately, all […]
The Black Cauldron (Chronicles of Prydain, 2) by Lloyd Alexander, 1965
The wonderful group of companions that overcame danger and evil in book one of the Chronicles of Prydain return for a second bold adventure in The Black Cauldron. This time, Taran is called away by Prince Gwydion on a quest to seize the cauldron that belongs to the evil Lord Arawn. Within this vessel the […]
Howliday Inn, by James Howe, 1982, Book Review
This week I figured I’d build on last Monday’s post about Bunnicula and review Howliday Inn, the next book in James Howe’s hilarious series. Unfortunately, his wife Deborah did not live to co-author this one. But the book maintains Bunnicula’s quirky style. I actually received this book in fourth grade as a new release, and […]
Bunnicula, by Deborah and James Howe, 1979, Book Review
I first met Chester and Harold as a kid and fell in love with them. If you haven’t encountered these two yet, let me introduce you. Chester is a highly educated cat with a vivid imagination. One of his delights is to listen to his owner, a college English professor, practice class lectures. He’s widely […]
Keeper of the Grail (The Youngest Templar series), by Michael P. Spradlin, 2008, Book Review
In Keeper of the Grail, Michigan native (yay!) Michael P. Spradlin offers the first installment of what promises to be a fabulous trilogy. I love epic stories, and the Middle Ages is one of my favorite periods of history. Throw in a little mystery, a hint of Robin Hood, a knight and a Crusade and […]