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 ‘reading’
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 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
House of Many Ways
Author: Diana Wynne Jones Copyright Date: 2008
“A chaotically magical sequel to How’s Moving Castle” quoth the cover of this book. It is exactly as it says magical and chaotic. It vaguely reminds me of Piers Anthony in its apparent randomness. Things come together in the end for the great climax of the novel but it [...]
July 31, 2009
The Mealworm Diaries
Author: Anna Kerz Copyright Date: 2009
Jeremy and his mother have moved from rural Nova Scotia to Toronto. Jeremy has some major adjustments to make in life and in school. Funny and poignant, this story is a marvelous read. The text is relatively simple but not over simplified. Short chapters will appeal to struggling readers. Jeremy [...]
