Book reviews for the young and the old. This site reviews children, teen, and adult books with a few interesting things thrown into the mix. Check out the labels on the right hand side for specific genres or topics.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Student Saturday: Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
Friday, April 21, 2023
The Altruism Trial by Christopher Francis
Riley Pickering is a young man who thinks of no one but himself. He behaves as if the world owes him everything and exists for him alone. What was funny about this is that I see kids like this in my classroom every year. Some leave middle school for high school the same way they entered school. They believe they are the most important person to exist and everyone else exists to do their bidding. In this book Riley receives a package with an unassembled plane. He makes his parents put it together. When the day comes to display their project he is called first. He steps into the plane and starts it up. He has read no instructions so he doesn't know how to fly it. The plane takes off and he crashes into an island. Here he meets two other kids who are just like him. The story is all about change. But can Riley learn or be willing to learn important lessons to get off the island? Like all of the other books this author has written, I loved this book. They are not only fun to read, but they are also full of life lessons. I highly recommend all of his books.
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Stoneway by Christopher Francis
Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Supernatural, Realistic Fiction
Source: Purchased
For the first time reading a book by Christopher Francis, I found myself crying. This was probably one of my favorites of all of his books. Maybe it is because I am a teacher and see the effects of bullying at school. This last year was particularly hard on a couple of students. I tried really hard to be there for some of them. It is one thing to have a teacher in your corner and another to have true friends stand up for you. That is what this book is truly about. Yes there is a ghost in this story. He is there because his ties the bullied to the bully. He makes an appearance to get help. This is not a ghost story. I have read reviews about this book that thought the "ghost story" was lacking. Because a ghost appears it doesn't mean it is a scary ghost story.
The author did a great job of keeping the story flowing and letting us see how the characters changed over time. Does everyone change? No, just like in real life not everyone changes. I read this as an ebook. I have since purchased it for my classroom. That is how good I feel this book and its message is. Well don Mr. Francis, Well done!
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Trapped in 1867 by Christopher Francis
Genre: Upper Elementary, Middle Grade, Science Fiction
Source: Purchased
A boy, a girl, a class assignment, and a time machine. Guari and Ben have been paired up for a class assignment. They are to research how Ottawa has changed over the past 150 years. What better way to research the assignment then travel back in time? Ben doesn't believe Guari. He is unaware that her father, a scientist has an actual time machine in their basement. What happens when they land in the middle of the winter? This was a fun book to read. They face freezing to death, wolves, fires, all to try to get the best grade on the assignment. Can these two become friends? Why is Ben so mean to Guari all the time. It gives a realistic look into the history of Ottawa, Canada, while creating a fun storyline.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
You'll Get Throug This by Max Lucado
I read this book at a point where I truly needed it. Max Lucado took the story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers and shows us how Joseph kept hope during the most turbulent and trying times of his life. He breaks the story down into major points and shows us how Joseph's attitude toward God and his faith is what got him through it all. This doesn't mean that Joseph never got depressed, angry, or felt despair. Those are all human emotions, and he was human. However, he chose not to stay in those emotions. I recently went through a trial in my life. A friend gave me scripture. Then another friend mentioned several songs she had heard and told me to look at the lyrics because she thought of me when she heard it. Then I opened one of the sites that makes book recommendations to me and there was Max's book. The minute I started listening to the lyrics, stepping out of the way to let God take control, I felt relief. Like Joseph I chose not to let my situation define me. I chose to let God show me how he would work it to his good. Sometimes that good is to be worked only in our own life. I had reached a slump and needed this lesson. I love how god puts things in our path when we need it. Definitely a must read.
Monday, April 17, 2023
The Hills be Shaken by Michael Stewart
Genre: Adult, Thriller
Source: Purchased
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Spike: The Penguin With Rainbow Hair by Sarah Cullen, Carmen Ellis
Genre; Children’s Picture Book
Source: Purchased
I absolutely loved this book. I
loved it so much I read it to my husband. He laughed and said I was being a
teacher. However, he loved it as well. I am a sucker for stories that rhyme.
They did a wonderful job with that. The story is of a young penguin born with a
tuft of rainbow colored hair on top of his head. His parents are so proud of
him and name him Spike. Spike is not fond of his hair and tries everything he
can to make his rainbow colored hair go away. The lesson to be learned is that
we are all different and we don’t need to be the same to fit in. This is a
wonderful book to teach such a wonderful lesson geared for the youngest of children.
The Illustrator, Zuzana Svobodova is a wonderful artist. The
colors she chose are soft and colorful, except for his bright tuft of hair. The
penguins are cute and cuddly. I kept thinking that I would love to have a
stuffed penguin who looked just like Spike. I personally think it would be a
beautiful addition to go with the book. I will still share this with my
grandchildren. They love reading them even if they are older and read on their
own. It is all in how you present it to them. Highly recommended to parents,
grandparents and teachers.
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Student Saturday: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Sunday, April 9, 2023
A Long Way From Home by Laura Schaefer
I loved this book. We learn why Abby's mom is so caught up in her work. We learn why Abby's mom and her aunt have not spoken in years. We learn the real underlying reason they moved to Florida. The twists and turns kept me reading non-stop. The lessons learned by all characters and what the author's message was to readers is what made this book so wonderful. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this book.