not a review

I still need to post a few reviews from the previous month. Of course, I've finished two more in the past week. One day I will get caught up. Then again, probably not, as I can’t imagine me ever quitting reading.

I’m listing to a wonderful audiobook. This was after trying three times to find one with a narrator I could stand listing to for more than one disc. This narrator almost didn’t make the cut either. The book is Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. I am a little sad that I only have two more discs to go. At least I know there are several more books after this one!

Angry and Lost...while stealing a car?

Three more reviews for your reading pleasure. I still have four or more to write.

Angry Management by Chris Crutcher
Run by Nak, Angry Management is a group for misfits – teens who have dealt with some hard lives. Told in three novellas, the reader learns a little about each of them, and a lot about survival.

The author takes several characters from his popular teen novels, adds a couple of new ones, and intertwines all of their stories. To paraphrase a coworker, he wrote his own fan fiction.

While the stories are interesting they are not some of Crutcher’s best work. Skip this and head straight for Athletic Shorts.


How to Steal a Car by Pete Hautman
Fifteen-year-old Kelleigh Monahan is a good girl. Some might even call her dull. On an impulse, she does something that changes her image; she steals a car. This leads to stealing another car…and another…and thinking about stealing other cars. The high from driving off in someone else’s makes up for the thinly veiled turmoil of her home life. Can Kelleigh curb her penchant for illegally borrowing other people’s automobiles, or will her bad girl ways finally catch up to her?

While there are some serious moments in the story, this book is still more of a fun fluff novel. I like the main character’s voice, and the way her summer assignment is incorporated in the tale. Overall, this is just a quick, fun read.

Lost by Jacqueline Davies

It’s the early 1900s. When Essie, a Triangle Shirtwaist Factory worker, first sees Harriet, she labels the new worker as lost; however, Harriet isn’t the only one who is lost.

As the story unfolds, we learn of Essie’s family: her mother, younger brother, Saulie, and younger sister, Zelda. Essie and Zelda are particularly close. Each chapter switches between the now (Essie’s growing friendship with Harriet) and the then (Essie’s close relationship with Zelda) until the two stories merge. Will those who are lost ever find their way?

With descriptive paragraphs and colorful wording, Davies richly portrays life the early 1900s New York. While life is difficult for Essie and her family, there is beauty and joy as well. Additionally, the plot element and setting of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory (and the fire which took the lives of many young women) is one not often found in historical novels for teens, making it a welcomed change.

Look, Ma! More reviews!

Slowly, I am getting caught up on reviews. I'm splitting up the ones I have left in order to have less overwhelming posts. Oh...and so I hopefully don't miss any books in the process.

Here are two books that are great for tweens and teens.

When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton

Life in the small town of Rowlesburg, West Virginia is centered on trains. Most of the families in the town work for the railroad, and Jimmy Cannon’s family is no exception.

The story is told from Jimmy’s viewpoint, and each chapter focuses on All Hallow’s Eve from 1945 to 1949. Jimmy grows from a young teen to an adult, watching his father – a B&O foreman – age as each birthday (October 31) passes.

When I heard that this book was set in West Virginia – my home state – I immediately wanted to read it. At first, I wasn’t too impressed with the story; however, as each chapter progressed, I found myself drawn into Jimmy’s world. The description of West Virginia small town life paralleled the descriptions I have often read or heard about in other sources.

Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary by Brandon Mull

It’s just been a few months since Kendra and Seth returned home from a summer at Fablehaven, and the siblings are gearing up for Christmas break. Unfortunately, they won’t be spending a quiet holiday at home with their parents.

Kendra is kidnapped by the Society and presumed dead. Seth and his grandparents find the truth – and the family must race to find the key to unlocking another artifact before the Society gets their hands a hold of it!

Yet another action packed story filled with unexpected twists. Mull has done an excellent job of keeping each book of the series as entertaining as the first. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!

Picture this...

Here are a couple of cute picture books I've recently read.

I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll

Ethan is very disappointed to read that his usual monster, Gabe, has gone fishing. Can any of the substitute monsters fit Ethan’s needs, or will he be doomed to not sleep for a week?

With colorful, lively illustrations, this picture book is sure to tickle the funny bone of any monster-loving child. A great story for ages 5 and up.

My Goldfish by Barroux

My goldfish can do all sorts of things. He’s strong, and old and talented.

This is a wonderful picture book for those who owns a pet fish. What can your goldfish do? Preschool and older.

first of many reviews...

I've been on a a reading spree lately, and have finished seven books and one audiobook. Here are the first few reviews.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

Hallelujah! I have finished this audiobook!

That isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy listening to this edition of Gabaldon’s epic Outlander series. I wholeheartedly did! However, I have been listening to this series for about a year, with a few – much shorter – audiobooks mixed between the Outlander books.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes is 48 discs and 58 hours of audio pleasure. As with the previous novels, Davina Porter does an excellent job of bringing life to the text.

The book begins where the previous ends. America is in the early stages of the Revolutionary War. Jamie continues to play the dangerous game of playing both sides. Additionally, there is the matter of the newspaper clipping that Brianna brought from the future. The clipping that announces the fiery death of Jamie and Claire.

As with the previous novels, Gabaldon colorfully portrays life during the 1700s, bringing the reader up close with history without being boring.

The latest book was published last month. I’m anxiously awaiting it to be available on audiobook at my library! (adult)


The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

When young orphan Peter pays a fortuneteller to tell him about his baby sister, he does not expect the answer to be an Elephant, especially as there are no elephants in their part of the world. Later, a magician makes a very last minute decision to produce a magnificent bit of magic...and an elephant crashes through the ceiling of the opera house. Thus begins a chain of events that will fulfill the fortuneteller’s prophecy.

I’ll admit that I almost didn’t finish this book. The story flit from one person to another, and didn’t draw me in at all. It is missing the magic that made The Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn-Dixie such fantastic novels. (children's)

Kaleideoscope Eyes by Jen Bryant

Lyza was always had a close relationship with her adventurous grandfather. While helping her dad clean out the house after her grandfather’s death, she finds a mysterious package addressed to her. This leads Lyza and her two best friends on an adventure to discover lost pirate treasure.

This novel written in verse is set in New Jersey during the summer and fall of 1968 with the backdrop of the Vietnam War and it’s affect on young American teens. While not the best book I’ve read this year, I enjoyed the story and the mystery. (tween/teen)

Not about books…

Check out the linked section of this blog. I added a few. Two actually have to do with children’s lit! The third is for my latest business venture: Gold Canyon. Yup. I’m a peddlin’ candles (and other items).

Where the Wild Things...are disturbing.

As I’m sure everyone knows, the feature length, live action film of Where the Wild Things Are is now in theaters. I was cautiously excited about this film. The book is one of my all time favorite children’s picture books. I knew that there had to be stuff added to the story in order to make it long enough, but was more than a bit anxious about what the additions would be.

I was right to be anxious.

The husband and I went to a late night showing of the movie over opening weekend. Hubby was excited – not because he particularly wanted to see the movie, but because he knows how much I love the book. He was excited for me. I was excited, but worried. I had seen a status or two on Facebook from people who had seen the movie and were less than impressed.

The beginning was decent. You fall in love with Max, and feel sorrow for his troubled young soul. But, when he dons his wolf suit, the story begins to get too dark. Biting his mother, he runs away when she sends him to his room.

Let the disturbing part really begin!

The Wild Things have a myriad of psychological and behavioral issues. Extremely aggressive and angry. Manipulative. Paranoid. Depressed. They either need a mass quantity of happy pills or to be locked in padded rooms. Max – who craves much needed attention – finds it with the Wild Things, but quickly becomes confused and anxious as they pit him against one another.

The ending really wasn’t much of an ending. Like the book, Max returns home and there is his dinner waiting for him, nice and hot. While this is a great ending for a children’s picture book, it is a weak one for a movie that proves to be not for a young audience.

My final words on the movie:

Honestly, I was so upset with this rendition of a classic children’s book that I almost cried when I left the theater.

Don’t take your young kids to see it. I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking my 9 and 10 year old cousins, let alone a child at the appropriate age range for the picture book. If you want to see an age appropriate movie based on a children’s book, go see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (and read the book with your kids as well!).

And, if you want to see the movie, borrow it from the library when it comes out on DVD. Don’t waste the money at the theater.

Should I stay or should I go?

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

A talented cellist, seventeen-year-old Mia has a charmed life. The biggest decision looming over her is whether to go to New York – and Julliard – or to stay in Oregon with her family, friends and boyfriend.

Then the unthinkable happens. After school is cancelled due to a dusting of snow, Mia, her parents and her eight year old brother decide to spend the day visiting some friends and family.

They don’t make it there.

Mia wakes up from the accident seeing her parents’ dead bodies on the road. She goes to pull her brother from the ditch where he is laying…and realizes that it isn’t Teddy. It’s her.

As her body is in a coma, Mia’s spirit travels the hospital where she has been life flighted and observes the actions of her friends and family, all the while contemplating the most important decision ever – stay or go.

Wow. My exact audible exclamation upon finishing this teen novel was actually, “Holy shit!”

This is one of the best written books I have read this year. It’s a story of love – love of friends; love of family; love of music; first true romantic love. It’s a story of life, as Mia thinks about her life and the lives of those around her.

I cried no less than 3 times while reading the 196 pages.

Wow. Simply wow.

I finished one book last night and another this morning, so, instead of just two more reviews I am posting four! Yay!



Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

Kendra and Seth are still at their grandparents’ home. The Sphinx’s loyalties are in doubt. And, yet again, danger is lurking right around the corner. While Kendra goes on a mission with the Knights of the Dawn, Seth discovers a mysterious plague that is rapidly spreading throughout the creatures of Fablehaven.

Can the siblings help their grandparents save Fablehaven from complete destruction?

As with the previous installments of this series, Grip of the Shadow Plague is action packed and full of adventure. Even at 477 pages, it is a fairly quick read. I can’t wait for the next book to arrive at my library!

All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg

Matt’s Vietnam is not the one he learns about every month at the adoption agency. His Vietnam is full of smoke and bombs and fear. Matt struggles to find his place in his American home…in his American life, and to understand why his birth mother sent him there.

Set after the Vietnam War, this poignant tale is written in first person verse. A quick read and an excellent story.

Are these my basoomas I see before me? by Louise Rennison

Georgia is back for the tenth and final edition of her confessions. The fifteen-year-old is still stuck on the rack of love with lots of confusing decisions to make. Massimo, the Luuurve God, is her one and only….right? But what about saving her ex, Robbie, from the octopussy arms of the foreheadless Wet Lindsay? And then there is Dave the Laugh, who she has accidentally snogged a time or few…


I’ll admit that when I first started this book, I wasn’t too keen on the writing. Perhaps because it felt that it was the same story as the previous nine books. By halfway through, though, I was literally laughing out loud at Georgia’s misadventures in love and her general day to day antics.



Sacred Scars: A Resurrection of Magic, Book Two by Kathleen Duey

Continuing where the previous book left off, Sadima still hopes of escaping with the imprisoned boys (and Franklin), and Hapt is still struggling to survive. As with the first book, the chapters alternate between Sadima and Hapt.


As Hapt continues to learn magic, he struggles with the changes in himself and what he feels needs to be done. Even more, he struggles with the uncertainty of who can be trusted.


At first, when Sadima and the boys manage to escape, she is always on edge – fearing that Somiss will manage to find them. After several years pass, the fear becomes less, and they all begin to truly enjoy life.


Then Somiss comes and Sadima’s life is forever changed.


This installment is much longer than Skin Hunger (book 1). There are a few sections that seem to go too quickly, with years of Sadima’s life passing in just a few paragraphs, but overall the stories told are captivating. I need to see when the next book will be published!

urm...yeah. I've been reading. Just haven't been posting. Here are two of my recent reads:

Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
When the Wizards develop yet another attack on the Enchanted Forest and manage to steal King Mendanbar’s sword, it is up to Cimorene and friends to find the sword in time. Can they manage to keep the Wizards from destroying the magic of the Forest?

The third installment of Wrede’s Enchanted Forest Chronicles introduces us to a few new characters, like a giant flying blue donkey – who is actually a rabbit, and a fire witch. While a fun read, the story isn’t quite as enticing as the previous two volumes of the series.


The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

When twelve-year-old Homer’s older brother is tricked into becoming a soldier in the Union army, Homer decides he must do what he can to save his brother from certain death. His adventures take him from rural Maine to a stop on the Underground Railroad, on his first train and ship rides, and all the way to the battle at Gettysburg.

This excellent children’s novel is packed full of adventure. Homer’s words ring true – even when he is telling a lie. The colorful characters add to this wonderful story of brotherly bonds. I highly recommend this book!