I happened onto this book during a free promo and approached it very cautiously. You see, about five percent of the books I find for free do I actually finish—or even get beyond page fifteen. This one looked cute, however, and I was impressed with the sample text, so I settled in for a longer […]
The Castle of Llyr (Chronicles of Prydain, 3), by Lloyd Alexander, 1966
The Castle of Llyr didn’t win any awards, unlike several other books in the series, but it is my favorite one yet. Within, Taran Assistant Pig-Keeper fights not for kingdoms but for the life of his friend, Princess Eilonwy. Containing all the wisdom and adventure of the first two books, this one attains a depth greater […]
Eligere (Seranfyll, book two), by Christina Daley, 2012, Book Review – Bargain eBooks
Christina Daley’s second book in her Seranfyll series is well worth reading. I think I liked book one just a touch better, with its unexpected magic and the delightfully eccentric character of Domrey (read my review of Seranfyll), but this is a solid second installment. Domrey and his adoptive sisters and brother, Rain, Snow and […]
Orphan of Destiny (The Youngest Templar), by Michael P. Spradlin, 2010, Book Review
Of the three books in The Youngest Templar series, Orphan of Destiny was my favorite. At long last, Tristin reaches England. Pursued by Sir Hugh, he hides out for a time—in Sherwood Forest! Robard takes on his full role as Robin Hood (Robard Hode), the Thane of Sherwood, complete with a cast of thinly-veiled characters that […]
The Black Stallion, by Walter Farley, 1941, Book Review
I relived some of the best moments from my childhood over the last two weeks as I shared the all-time greatest book ever with my boys. As a young girl, I spent a good deal of time dreaming of horses. And much of the blame for that can be laid at the feet of Mr. […]
Torn (The Missing, Book 4), by Margaret Peterson Haddix, 2011, Book Review
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 […]
The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles, book one), by Rick Riordan, 2010, Book Review
Rick Riordan is a master of modern tween story-telling. He keeps the action fast-pitch, his characters feel distinct and real, and he writes kid-funny. No wonder his name is repeatedly at the top of the best-sellers list. The Red Pyramid is a 516 page battle of good vs. evil. Sadie and Carter are two siblings that […]
The Celery Stalks at Midnight, by James Howe, 1983, Book Review
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of artichokes? This title and catch phrase just cracked me up. This is the third in the Bunnicula series. It took only four days to read aloud, and my boys enjoyed it, but it isn’t quite the caliber of Howliday Inn, which isn’t quite the caliber of […]
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, by Jeanne Birdsall, 2004, Book Review
The Penderwick family is one of those families you want to be a part of. Twelve-year-old Rosalind, with her common sense and maturity, has done a fine job mothering her sisters since their mother’s death. Sky, one year younger, athletic, tomboyish and hot-tempered, keeps things stirred up. Jane, age 10, has enough imagination for the […]
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, […]