Monday, August 15, 2016

Monday's Riddle: A Blue Morning...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week. Anyone who knows me, knows that my favorite breakfast includes this item. ; ) ~ F

I'm blue, but sometimes wild. I tease the tongue of any child. Bears love me, birds do too, picked just right so will you. Perfectly sweet once I'm done, where I pop up there's more than one.

What am I? Stop by Wednesday for the answer. 

I gave you a clue!


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Friday, August 12, 2016

A Diamond in the Desert

After the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor Tetsu’s father is taken away by the FBI. Not long after that he, his mother, and his sister, Kimi, are taken to an internment camp. They have to leave their home and dog in California, taking only a few belongings with them to the barracks in Arizona. The hot desert climate is only one of the many difficult things to adjust to about their new life. Tetsu worries about his father and is concerned that there isn’t a way to get in touch with him because his father cannot read or write English. Their living conditions involve a lot of sweeping, bad bathroom conditions, and lots of new people. School couldn't be more different from the way it was before coming to the camp, but luckily there's a volunteer who helps to teach the children. Tetsu misses baseball and wants to play again. When the opportunity arises to help build and create a baseball field on the land outside the barracks, Tetsu jumps at the chance. He can't wait for everything to be cleared out and ready so he can play, but when that day comes his sister needs him, and he becomes frustrated. He leaves her and goes to play some baseball for the first time in ages. What should have been a great day, changes when he learns that his sister is missing. When she can't be found anywhere later that day or night, Tetsu becomes frantic. Will they be able to find Kimi? Will Tetsu and his father ever be reunited? How long will they have to stay at the internment camp? Take this trip through history to find out what life was like for some of the Japanese who were relocated to internment camps.

A Diamond in the Desert by Kathryn Fitzmaurice appealed to me because I enjoy historical fiction. It's one of my favorite ways to learn more about what's happened in the past; the characters help the setting and situation come alive for me. Each chapter was very short, which made this a fast read. I could relate to Tetsu and felt so sorry for him and all the other people who were at the camp. It makes the reader realize that it's not fair to treat people badly simply because other people who look like them or come from the same place they came from are bad. I especially enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end and finding out about the research she did to write this book. It was interesting to know that she interviewed people who really were at the camp and who played baseball there. I had no idea baseball was such a big part of the camps, but I can see how it gave people hope and something else to think about. I recommend this book to kids in third grade and up. Adults will also enjoy learning more about this time in history. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Has anyone else read A Diamond in the Desert? Or have you read another book by Kathryn Fitzmaurice? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Answer to Monday's Riddle: A Dry Spot...


Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Late is better than never, a little dry humor today. Friday, Lizzy's review will heat things up, so stay tuned. See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

Hot or cold, always dry; sun ablaze, sand whips by. Shadows stretch across a dune, one hump or two ride at noon. High or low, scenes do shift, all alone your mind will drift. No name to tell, but you're not wet. An oasis is your best bet. 

What am I referring to? Answer: The desert! 



Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats






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Monday, August 8, 2016

Monday's Riddle: It's A Mirage...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? I love to imagine this through stories, it's so mysterious and beautiful. ; ) ~ F

Hot or cold, always dry; sun ablaze, sand whips by. Shadows stretch across a dune, one hump or two ride at noon. High or low, scenes do shift, all alone your mind will drift. No name to tell, but you're not wet. An oasis is your best bet. 

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer. 

I gave you a clue!


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Friday, August 5, 2016

Can They Read the Signs?

Sam is beyond disappointed when he finds out that Uncle Jasper is shipping him off to boarding school. He doesn't even get to stay and play in the championship baseball game. When he tells teammates Roger and Joey they plan his escape, so Sam will be around for the big game. Unfortunately,it involves sneaking away and staying in a cave for a few days, which proves to have more secrets than they could've imagined. After a small earthquake a crumbling wall reveals a skeleton with a map and a riddle which they hope to find. They think there really is a treasure out there and they may be the lucky ones to find it if they can only unlock the riddle. Sam won't stay in the cave with the bones, so they take a midnight train to Trent to try and find the answers. What do the mysterious symbols on the map mean? Who is the crying lady that Sam sees? Is there really a treasure and will the boys be able to find it? One thing is for certain- the trio is not expecting what awaits them!

I have read many books by see C. Lee McKenzie and I was excited to read Sign of the Green Dragon. The book is full of adventure and excitement. The three boys will be appeal to kids because they have a good friendship and seem to find trouble. I liked learning more about the Chinese culture and the meaning of dragons. It was fun trying to solve the riddle and figure out what the boys needed to do in order to find the treasure. I would recommend this book to kids in third grade and up who like a book with mystery and adventure. I wonder if we'll get to go on another wild ride with Sam, Roger, and Joey in the future! If so, I know I'll be reading it!

Has anyone else read Sign of the Green Dragon? Or have you read another book by C. Lee McKenzie? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Dig Them Bones...



Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we'll dig up some frightful clues. Friday, Lizzy's review will rattle your bones, so stay tuned! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F


Make none about it, you're at home; built in time on living stone. Complex structures move strings and goo, they get you there by being you. Strong but empty, they'll carry the weight, no matter the organic freight. Designed to fit, that's the measure, groove today at your pleasure. 



What am I referring to? Answer: Bones!


Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats