The more I read this series, the more brilliant I realize it is. The school is about to have a snow day - but the kids are all trapped inside. It's upThe more I read this series, the more brilliant I realize it is. The school is about to have a snow day - but the kids are all trapped inside. It's up to our trusty hall monitors to get everyone out safely but first they have a bigger problem to contend with. What if the school's evil designer comes back to life?
So many questions about what's going to happen next. Really enjoying reading this series and can't wait to see where it ends up....more
Boy is taken from farm to become a dragon rider. Then the dragon he's given can't even fly - it's a long worm really. Not quite what anyone expects.
I Boy is taken from farm to become a dragon rider. Then the dragon he's given can't even fly - it's a long worm really. Not quite what anyone expects.
I read this book twice while I tried to figure out why it was so hard to get into. In part, I think it was because the emotions of the chracter felt so out of sync to me. I'm wondering if kids are normally ripped away from their parents in this kingdom because it's really no big deal. No adjustment to the changes of being in a new place, with really high expectations either. But the story gets you into the series, so if you push on you'll start liking everyone better.
I'm going to keep going to see what happens next. Decent book for kids, and definitely recommended if they're into fantasy. Just be prepared with the next book so you can keep your young readers engaged....more
The more I read the books in this series, the more I'm amazed at all the incredible things dogs do. The fact that it can take a long time to find a haThe more I read the books in this series, the more I'm amazed at all the incredible things dogs do. The fact that it can take a long time to find a handler for a dog once it's trained was something I'd never considered before. It really is a partnership when people work with these animals.
Great introduction to the topic and definitely holds my interest to the end. I'd like to read the rest of the books in this series....more
The Princess in Black needs a vacation. After too much monster battling, it's time for some sun and sand. But the beach is invaded with monsters and sThe Princess in Black needs a vacation. After too much monster battling, it's time for some sun and sand. But the beach is invaded with monsters and she has a job to do, even here. Is it possible to combine beach fighting with beach fun?
I sympathized so much with the Princess in this story. It's rough when you just want to take some time for yourself and duty calls. This is a book about responsibility and still managing to maintain a good attitude, even when plans change abruptly. Some good reminders here for all of us. :)...more
Having had bunnies, I understand the problem of being overwhelmed by cuteness. But there is such a thCan bunnies be monsters? No way! Or wait...maybe?
Having had bunnies, I understand the problem of being overwhelmed by cuteness. But there is such a thing as too many bunnies. Sometimes even Princesses need help in seeing things for what they are, and then in finding solutions.
Great series, wonderful book. I think this one is my favorite so far. I actually laughed out loud while reading this!...more
Safia - a young POC protagonist who is also blind is adopted by her aunt after her parents die in an awful fire. Safia, who has aSilly or sensational?
Safia - a young POC protagonist who is also blind is adopted by her aunt after her parents die in an awful fire. Safia, who has always read about adventures finds herself living with someone who used to BE an adventurer, until a terrible curse sent Whimsey into hiding.
This is a convoluted story, deep on characterization and at times (as so many others have pointed out) very reminiscent of a Ducktales adventure. Which isn't a bad thing! Overall I loved this book and couldn't wait to see where it went next. Definitely unusual, but well worth reading....more
For Jack the hero, he has found his best self in this apocalypse. The problem? What if the others have found a way toOh Jack, my heart breaks for you.
For Jack the hero, he has found his best self in this apocalypse. The problem? What if the others have found a way to go home and find others - and maybe even family? Feeling like he's about to lose the only family he's ever known, Jack panics and starts messing things up - big time.
This really has a bad, sad, undercurrent the other books didn't have. But it's so terribly real what each of these characters is feeling. Which in an unreal situation, is everything. ...more
What if your zombie hunters have to save the zombies?
Jack and his friends don't know why the zombies are disappearing but it's not such a good thing aWhat if your zombie hunters have to save the zombies?
Jack and his friends don't know why the zombies are disappearing but it's not such a good thing as you might think. Again, his crew is funny and sometimes deep in their introspections. The relationships are still growing and there's still so much more to explore.
Will Jack ever figure things when it comes to trusting those around him to NOT need to be rescued every other minute? He really has to quit trying so hard...but isn't that part of what makes this series endearing?
Maybe this wasn't as much a favorite as the first book was, but it's still brilliant, so it's still five stars. ...more
This is one of my favorite books of the year though I couldn't put my finger on why exactly until I got to book 3 so I'll leave that thought for laterThis is one of my favorite books of the year though I couldn't put my finger on why exactly until I got to book 3 so I'll leave that thought for later.
Jack is a hero. Or he's trying very hard to be one with varying results. I think what I loved most was how the illustrations are actually part of the story and important to it - which means you have to pay attention. Really love that in a kid's book.
Overall, highly, highly recommended. Easy to read and with a lot of voice and some great character interactions and development, this has it all. The author is brilliant, but then I've seen him do some pretty cool things in another series so I'm not surprised....more
This is one of my favorite books of this year. A book written by a child actor about a child actor just makes the whole story feel very authentic. AddThis is one of my favorite books of this year. A book written by a child actor about a child actor just makes the whole story feel very authentic. Add in a mystery, some co-star friends, and a lot of spooky sets and strange ghostly activities, and you've got the makings of a great book.
I really enjoyed reading this and watching the kids figure out the puzzle. The answer might seem a little obvious, but it's still a good time, and I'll be back to read more in this series. Definitely recommended for kids who like mysteries or who like a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of their favorite TV shows....more
Peter and Ernesto are two sloths who seem very content with their lives. The truth though is far different. When one of them has a yearning to see somPeter and Ernesto are two sloths who seem very content with their lives. The truth though is far different. When one of them has a yearning to see something more of the world, what can the other do but follow to make sure they get home safely. It's fun how they both have very different adventures as they wander the world. There's a lot to be said here for getting out of your comfort zone.
This was a delight, a book I couldn't wait to share with others. I'd highly recommend it!...more
Tony is a kid who's been hired to babysit a kid named Duncan for the summer. It seems like an easy job, living near the beach and just dealing with onTony is a kid who's been hired to babysit a kid named Duncan for the summer. It seems like an easy job, living near the beach and just dealing with one four-year-old. But when the mom takes off completely and Tony is left in charge, things prove more complicated.
This is a story with a lot of adventure which I probably would have enjoyed reading as a kid. But as a parent I was fairly well horrified. So many things wrong with this setup, even for being written in the 80s. First of all, what kind of person hires someone to watch their kid who has no idea how to keep a child clean or fed, which should be the most basic things. Tony doesn't have any support (contact numbers for people to get help from?) The mother is a ditz, who feeds her child Jell-o in every form, making me wonder how this child is even remotely healthy at the start of things...just so many things wrong.
While I understood this book was supposed to be funny...and it had its moments...mostly I found the story worrying and Kept wishing Tony would have at least called his mom for advice or something. That's what I did back in the 80s when I was a kid babysitting for a toddler.
Just...no.
With all this in mind, I can't give this book a good rating. So many of these moments could have ended in tragedy that I just couldn't stop flinching. There are better adventure books for kids out there....more
I have not been as satisfied with a book as I have been with this one for the longest time. A story which is just that - a really good story which takI have not been as satisfied with a book as I have been with this one for the longest time. A story which is just that - a really good story which takes you to another time and place is a treasure. Then to make that story interesting, compelling and even a touch educational brings the magic into another place entirely. I felt that way the first time I read the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I have felt it all now, with this little treasure.
This particular story takes you all the way up north to Michigan in the 1950s. A somewhat privileged school girl who lives in town gets to know a Native American girl by sort of accidentally going home with her during a blizzard. Here she gets to see how her new friend lives, and what it means to be in a family who works hard together, but also knows how to play together and enjoy each other's company. Then, when disaster strikes, we see how the adults come together in a way which brings everyone safely home.
Of course, the story turns out right for all concerned. I wish, though, that I had an opportunity to see what happens next to all these characters. The whole book was just so good and enjoyable all around, that I was utterly unable to let it go. ...more
Imagine being given a special talent (the savvy), completely unique to you when you turn 13. It can be anything from invisibI love this world so much!
Imagine being given a special talent (the savvy), completely unique to you when you turn 13. It can be anything from invisibility to being able to control some element of the world around you. Now imagine not being able to control it.
In this book we meet Ledge, who seems to have coming into a unique savvy he absolutely cannot seem to scumble no matter how hard he tries. Scumbling is sort of like being able to dampen or direct your savvy so it is under your control rather than allowing it to control you. Poor Ledge has worse problems though. A nosy girl, a sister who worries a great deal and a place of sanctuary which is about to be ripped out right from under him. The only thing which will be able to save his entire family is his being able to scumble his savvy before it's too late.
As I said, I love this world. There's something about reading these books which always puts a great big smile on my face. The characters, the set-up, the relationships and even the writing itself are all perfection. I cannot get enough of these books!...more
Nothing makes me miss California like reading about a Tule fog. I know that fog well, and even came to love it. It really is a thick thing which will Nothing makes me miss California like reading about a Tule fog. I know that fog well, and even came to love it. It really is a thick thing which will make you lose your way in no time flat. This fog is the backbone of this rollicking story about outsmarting a shyster told in a voice which you can hear so strongly as you read you can't help but wonder why everyone can't write that way.
My favorite part of all this? The whole chase thing. Sure, it could probably never happen, but gosh it's fun. Hence my recommendation of this book!
This is one of those pleasurable mysteries from another time, about two kids who spend their time on the ocean trying out lobstering and looking for cThis is one of those pleasurable mysteries from another time, about two kids who spend their time on the ocean trying out lobstering and looking for clues in an ages old mystery. Add in a new kid who's snotty as they come, and you've got the elements for the perfect story, that makes you think of summer reading in a hammock like you did when you were a kid.
What I loved best about this book is just how real the kids are, and how much I connected to the story. The mystery part might have been a little obvious as to who was sabotaging the lobster pots, but the treasure the kids were hunting was crafty and interesting and told with just the right element of danger to give a thrill.
In the end, what can I say but that I'd like to visit Saturday Cove again. If I could find the other books by this author I definitely would. Highly recommended!...more
This is my absolute favorite of all the Eddie books. Eddie goes to Texas with his goat for a long vacation and learns many things, including how to...This is my absolute favorite of all the Eddie books. Eddie goes to Texas with his goat for a long vacation and learns many things, including how to...drive? Whew, it's a different time, but it's not unreasonable to think an 8 year old kid would be behind the wheel on a Texas ranch. My mom was driving herself to school when she was 12 back in 1942, so what do I know? That's what life was in the country.
I loved the adventures that Eddie had. I loved getting to see life on a Texas ranch in this way, and found the adventures very realistic and thrilling. I can't help but wonder if the author visited a Texas ranch before writing this one. ...more
I'm still not altogether sure what I think of this series. I liked the characters but felt like I was coming into the story in the middle of somethingI'm still not altogether sure what I think of this series. I liked the characters but felt like I was coming into the story in the middle of something, which means I need to take some time to dig out the other books by this author.
The adventure itself was interesting, as the two boys come to rely on one another. As they learn about each others and find understanding you're left with a hope that things will be different between these too groups of people. But there were still far too many questions left open at the end that were never addressed. So while this was a good book, it never quite felt like 'enough' of the story, which was disappointing....more
Playing detective is harder than it looks. For Daniel and his friends the mission seems clear - to find the missing man and return him to his daughterPlaying detective is harder than it looks. For Daniel and his friends the mission seems clear - to find the missing man and return him to his daughter. But their adventures take them all the way west - to the California coast, and from there out on the ocean itself where the group gets involved with pirates and treasure - and a whale of a double cross. Keeping their faith under such circumstances is pretty hard going. But the boys manage to win the day in the end.
Exciting and interesting, this is what a kids' book should be - with adventure around every turn. I enjoyed this installment, but couldn't help but feel like I'd missed something (which I had, since there's another book in the series I haven't read yet). Still, I would recommend this as a Christian adventure book for boys that is easy to enjoy....more
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