***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, […]
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 […]
The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner Trilogy, book 1), by James Dashner, 2009, Book Review
Whoa! Can you say “suspense”? How about “intense”? This is one of those books that sticks to your fingers the moment you pick it up. Meanwhile, your house goes to pot all around you and the kids start complaining that they’re hungry. Minor details–I could not put The Maze Runner down! Thomas wakes up in a creaky […]
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians), by Rick Riordan, 2006, Book Review
This is book two in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. If you haven’t read them, start with my review of book one, The Lightning Thief. Rick Riordan did it again. I enjoyed The Sea of Monsters almost as much as The Lightning Thief. It’s a whole new adventure with many of the same characters […]
The Prize: Tales from a Revolution: Vermont, by Lars D. H. Hedbor, 2009, Book Review
On the border between New York and Vermont lies Lake Champlain, like a 125-mile-long wedge cleaving the two states apart. Its northern end has access to the all-important St. Lawrence River; its southern end nearly reaches the Hudson River. During the centuries in which water travel was far superior to overland, this waterway was invaluable. […]
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, JK Rowling, 1997, Book Review
I first delved into Harry Potter more than a decade ago. Since then, thousands of reviews have been written covering all seven of the books, so why add another? Two reasons: First, not everyone has read them yet. Yes, there is a generation of kids who have grown up with Harry, but there are more […]
Savvy, by Ingrid Law, 2009, Book Review
Savvy is a uniquely styled book that won Newbery honors last year. Its most outstanding feature is the rhythmic nonsense words that flood the prose, creating a style all its own “Fibertygibbity,” “a fizz and a zing,” “jump and jive,” “razzmatazz,” “bumping, jumping,” “stumbled and tumbled,” “gewgaws,” and “…loosening his lip-lock.” Ms. Law has a very […]
Delirium, by Lauren Oliver, 2011, Book Review
Amor deliria nervosa, the disease that terrifies Americans. The disease that ravaged the masses, driving them to madness and death. Fortunately, there’s a cure. For 64 years now the public has been safe from irrational behavior, from pain, from fear–from love. But the cure is only effective for over-eighteens. And Lena is 93 days shy […]
Sea Cutter (Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe, Book One), by Timothy Davis, 2011, Book Review
“He’s not dead!” “Please Nathaniel. It’s been two years. He’s not coming back,” my mother begged. “How can you give up on him?” I yelled. Nat’s heart tells him his father survived the shipwreck. But where is he? Why has he left Nat and his mother to a pauper’s existence in New Bedford? Then […]