Jenny Nimmo has a great set of characters and adventures in the Children of the Red King series. As a lover of fanatasy, I’m an easy sell and this series has me searching out the next one to see where it goes. I find Charlie, the main character, likable and hopeful without being [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘library’
September 16, 2009
10:The Big One-Oh – Dean Pitchford
This is a book aimed squarely at the 8-12 year old boy niche. Part gross and disgusting, part humour, part revenge of the loser; it hits the mark. Charley Maplewood is turning 10. Thanks to a inappropriately timed birthday greeting, he decides it really is time for him to have a birthday [...]
September 14, 2009
Raymond and Graham Rule the School by Mike Knudson and Steve Wilkinson
First a disclaimer, this is a book intended for boys, I am not a boy. I did not enjoy this book and I don’t think it should come close to your library. I think Mike and Steve missed the boat on this one. Raymond and Graham are entering grade four. They are looking forward to [...]
September 14, 2009
The Fairies of Nutfolk Wood by Barb Bentler Ullman
Pastoral and warm; this is a book to delight lovers of fairies and fantasy. At first I was reluctant to believe there could be a fresh take on a world of little people. After all it has been done with The Littles and The Borrowers. The title didn’t lead me to believe it would be [...]
September 14, 2009
The Jewels of Sofia Tate by Doris Etienne
This book is a fair take on the mystery genre. I enjoyed the main characters and watching them develop. I found the villians a bit ‘pat’. The ending was a little too neat and tidy. Teacher librarians need to be aware of the embedded Christian perspective within this story. The plot hinges on unraveling a [...]
September 14, 2009
Raleigh’s Page by Alan Armstrong
Armstrong takes you into life in the Elizabethan times a Sir Walter Raleigh’s page. This is a thoroughly researched and compelling account of the first expansions of England into North America. I am torn on whether to recommend this book for K-8 libraries. I believe Armstrong handles the racism of his characters with deftness but [...]
September 14, 2009
Skellig by David Almond
Dark and creepy are the words which come to mind when reflecting on Skellig. This is a book with boy appeal. Michael is moving into a new house after anticipating this event as something wonderful, something unexpected intervenes. Michael’s mom has a very premature baby. Now he is living in a run-down house with preoccupied [...]
September 4, 2009
Book of a Thousand Days – Shannon Hale
Dashti is a determined young woman. In becoming the maid of a distracted and frightened princess, she unwittingly becomes a prisoner with her in a darkened tower. Dashti remains positive and industrious during her confinement. Her mistress is unpredictable and unhealthy but Dashti remains devoted and trust-worthy. In addition to the confinement and darkenss of [...]
August 2, 2009
Torrie and the Dragonslayers
Author: K.V. Johansen Copyright Date: 2009
Torrie is not the prince or the princess, not the sorcerer or witch. It takes a bit to figure out what Torrie is. Torrie is an Old Thing, a furry, short creature, more human than animal, quite a likable creature and the narrator of Torrie and the Dragonslayers. Torrie and [...]
July 31, 2009
GPS: Website Gold
Today I ran across an astonishing blog of book reviews, Becky’s Book Reviews. What makes this website gold? Becky read. She reads a whole lot. She reads everything and then she writes about it. I feel I am reading a bunch and I’m reading for work most of the time. [...]
