I just finished this second book in the Harry Potter series for my third time. The funny thing about these books, however, is that I can’t ever seem to remember them well. Because each of the seven takes place at the same location with the same characters, I get the plots all confused. There isn’t […]
What's your favorite book turned movie?
My favorite book-turned-movie has to be The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I loved all of Lewis’ Narnia books as a child (and I still do), but that first one especially resonated with me. I was in sixth grade the first time I read it, and I ate up the magic. I wanted to live there. I wanted to […]
Henry and the Paper Route, by Beverly Cleary, 1957, Book Review
My boys absolutely love Henry Huggins. These books may be over fifty years old, but the world of Klickitat Street still rings true. Families still have dogs. Little sisters are still pests. Neighbor kids still have squabbles. And boys still have dreams. Henry and the Paper Route, ten-year-old Henry Huggins dreams of having a paper […]
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 […]