This fourth book in Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians series is vastly entertaining, as always. Within, Percy and his friends must enter the huge labyrinth that is under the surface of the earth, just beneath the mortal world. Grover goes in search of Pan, whom he is convinced is hiding out, to substantiate his claim […]
Hanukkah at Valley Forge, by Stephen Krensky, 2006, Book Review
Most stories that bring history to life are okay in my book, but this one which blends the American Revolution with a much more ancient rebellion, is excellent. Within, George Washington, while looking out over his suffering troops at Valley Forge, sees a light burning in one shelter and finds a young Jewish soldier celebrating […]
Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift, by Elise Stokes, 2011, Book Review
I’m excited to be in on the release of Elise Stokes’ second novel, Cassidy Jones and Vulcan’s Gift. This fast-paced series is reminiscent of the adventures of comic book superheroes, except Cassidy Jones happens to be a totally hip, totally stubborn, totally modern fifteen-year-old girl. A freak accident left her with enhanced senses and superhuman […]
The Call of the Wild, by Jack London, 1903, Book Review
Growing up, The Call of the Wild was one of the staples of my library, a book I read half a dozen times before I turned 18. I hadn’t picked it up in fifteen or twenty years, but I did so yesterday and read it through adult eyes. The story I remembered, but I was shocked anew at […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Into the Wild (Warriors series), by Erin Hunter, 2003, Book Review
I picked up the first of the Warriors series on the recommendation of a sixth grade girl. I can understand the appeal: an organized clan of cats struggling to survive in the wild. Even boys, I think, would take to the battles, the intrigue, the desperate attempts of ThunderClan to overcome dangers that threaten from […]