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, […]
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, […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula, by Elise Stokes, 2010, Book Review
I met Elise Stokes recently in a forum post discussing clean content in children’s literature. I was intrigued enough by our conversation to order her book, Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula. I’m glad I did! Not only are its pages free of objectionable content, they contain all the ingredients required for a superb adventure. […]