Is Sarah Bold Enough?

All Sarah wants for her 11^th birthday is a pair of rollerblades, so she's greatly disappointed when her parents buy her a Colonial doll. It seems like the worst birthday present ever and she decides she will never love it as much as her other dolls. After naming it Miss Prickle, she throws it against her wall and is transported back in time to 1765. She may be in her hometown of Guilford, Connecticut- but almost nothing is the same. Sarah is shocked when the people she encounters think she's a runaway slave. No one believes her when she tries to explain who she is, and that she needs to get back to her family. Even more surprising is the reaction that the people in town have when she stands up for herself and tries to stop people from treating her unfairly. She’s been learning about the American Revolution in school, but experiencing the racism that existed at that time is very hard for Sarah to comprehend. With the help of a reverend and his family, she's able to sleep in safety and learn some of the customs of the time period. Is it possible that standing up for herself will get Sarah in more trouble than she can handle? Will she ever see her parents again? Travel back in time, and you’ll be turning the pages to find out what happens. 

I loved Sarah the Bold by Eileen Lettick. The research in this great historical fiction book made the story come alive. The details about the town of Guilford inspire me to learn more about its history. Sarah is a character who stands up for what she believes in. Her boldness made me worried at times because people thought she was a runaway slave, and I didn’t want her to get hurt. I liked reading about the people she met in 1765. It was especially fun when Sarah was in disguise and ran into an important figure from history. Her trip back in time opened her eyes to what life was like in the past, and it makes the reader think about how ridiculous it is that people have ever been judged because of the color of their skin. After reading this fascinating story I look forward to visiting the Henry Whitfield House in Guilford, Connecticut. It’s now a museum and the oldest building in the state! I recommend this book to anyone in third grade and up who enjoys historical fiction or time travel. Teachers will definitely want to include this book in a historical fiction unit. My favorite way to learn about history is through reading historical fiction. I look forward to more stories by this author.

* Eileen Lettick is generously giving away a signed paperback copy of Sarah the Bold.  All you have to do is comment on this review or stop back on Saturday and comment on our interview with the author. The winner will be randomly selected. Good luck! 

Has anyone else read Sarah the Bold by Eileen Lettick? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

Who's On The Other Side?

Grand old manors are known to keep secrets. The truth is hidden in the details by the characters that dwell within their walls. Coraline Jones may be young, but she has a keen eye and likes to explore. When her family moves into a flat that's part of a big spooky house, she sets out to investigate. Coraline meets the interesting people that live in the other flats, like Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, two strange women who have a bunch of dogs and a seemingly spiritual connection. Then there's the crazy man with the mustache and the invisible mouse circus. Coraline finds a weedy garden and a deep well she's not supposed to play around, which she does anyway. When it starts to rain, she's forced to stay inside. Her parents are busy working on their computers, it's raining buckets, she's bored- time to investigate the rooms in her new house. There are fourteen doors, and one is locked. She bugs her mom to open it, but there's nothing there, only a brick wall. A shadowy dream wakes her and she sees something dark move down the hall. She follows it to the door that opens to the brick wall. Remembering where her mom hid the key, she opens it and discovers a secret corridor that leads to another, better side of the house, where she finds her other mother and father waiting for her. They're doting and give her everything she wants, but there's something very wrong with their eyes.

Ah, Neil Gaiman. I just love his writing. The intertwining characters and scene building is brilliant. If you're into spooky house mysteries (we are!) then this is a story for you. I think it's brilliant that the manor is split up into flats, each with a character who brings a piece of the puzzle together- like how the flats make up the manor. The scenes with Miss Spink and Miss Forcible are fantastic, and I love that they predict things, but nonsensically; you must pay attention to pick up on the foreshadowing and woven in symbolism- one of the reasons I enjoy Neil Gaiman's writing so much. I would recommend this book to readers ages 10 and up. The book is scary, and it's awesome! (so is the movie.)

Has anyone else read Coraline or seen the movie? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Happy reading!

~ L

Who's Watching in the Woods?

Lizzy and I are having a spooky sleepover at her house in Manhattan this weekend, and we're getting ready to scare ourselves silly by watching The Watcher in the Woods. Hard to believe it's a Disney flick, but it is. Lizzy reviewed the movie awhile back, and it's bone-chilling. Keep an eye out for exclusive footage from our Saturday fright night! ~ F

Everyone knows that a good sleepover involves scaring yourselves silly. At every overnight my friends and I watch a movie we think will scare us, but of course it has to be parent approved (PG). There are lots of movies out there that give us the creeps, but our favorite is The Watcher in the Woods. It's an older movie that my mom had in her collection. Now, all my friends like me to bring it to their parties, even though we've all seen it. 

When Jan, her sister, Ellie, and their parents move into an old, spooky mansion they have no idea that their lives are about to change. The movie begins, and you feel like you are a watcher spying on the family as they settle in to their new home. As they unpack, a mirror breaks and Jan swears she sees a vision of a blindfolded girl in it. Jan’s strange visions don’t end there, and no one believes her. The mansion has a caretaker of sorts, Mrs. Aylwood (Bette Davis) whose daughter, Karen, died in a fire years before. Is it a coincidence that Ellie ends up adopting a dog she names Narek? There seem to be signs pointing to the past, if they can only figure out the clues in time. Is there someone in the woods watching them? What happened at the chapel? What secret has been hidden all these years? The way this movie is shot and the supernatural elements will have you shrieking!

I don’t like to be scared all the time, but I like how the movie gave me the shivers! There is a scene where Jan falls into the water and Mrs. Aylwood is stirring the water over her that freaks me out! I had no idea Bette Davis could be so scary! For anyone that likes a good fright- check out The Watcher in the Woods! Kids who watch this should be old enough that their parents let them watch PG movies and they should enjoy a good dose of fear! The craziest part for me is that it's a Disney movie. I had no idea they made movies like this, but this one gives me goose bumps every time I think about it! 

Has anyone else seen The Watcher in the Woods? Or have you seen another movie that unexpectedly made you scream? We’d love to hear about it!

Happy Reading and Watching!
~L

Margo's Musings: What's Creepy About Underwear?

Here in Connecticut, the leaves are starting to change color and the air is getting a bit chillier.  Halloween decorations have started to adorn houses and stores- helping us all get into the fall spirit. Last year my little sister, Margo, was drawn to Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds. So I knew as soon as I saw Creepy Pair of Underwear by the same author that it would be the perfect read for this time of year. I have to admit- I was curious about how underwear was going to turn out to be creepy.

Jasper Rabbit returns again in this sequel and he seems to be over his fear of carrots after the plan he devised to get rid of them in the first book. The story begins when Jasper convinces his mom that he wants a pair of creepy underwear he sees on display at the store. Once at home he realizes that maybe his underwear is a little creepier than he had first thought, and he decides to get rid of them. Of course, he isn’t scared or anything. Jasper’s just done with creepy underwear. But, when the underwear keeps showing up, he knows he must take drastic measures. What should he do?  Is there really something to be scared about? You’ll  be turning the pages to find out!

Margo and I loved that the story is a little creepy, but also very silly. I mean, being scared of underwear? Hilarious! The faces on the underwear and the expressions on Jasper’s face had us cracking up. Definitely a great addition to our favorite Halloween and fall reads. Since it isn’t technically a Halloween story- it can be enjoyed by kids and adults throughout the year.

I knew Margo would want her own pair of creepy underwear, and we are on the hunt for some. But, for now she is happy with the Halloween shirts my mom got her. She keeps pointing at her shirt and saying “creepy” and cracking up. So, maybe it’s a good thing we haven’t found those spooky underwear yet.

Has anyone else read Creepy Pair of Underwear? Or have you read another book by Aaron Reynolds? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~F

Is There Any Escape?

Soren is home in his nest high in the forest. He may only be an owlet, but he's learning so much form his parents and it won’t be too much longer before Soren knows how to fly. For now, he loves talking with his little sister, though his older brother is a bit of a grump. One night when his parents are off hunting, Soren’s thrust out of the nest and lands on the forest floor. He thinks his life is over and that he’ll be dinner for a larger animal. But then the owls come and seem to rescue him, only they’re not rescuing him. Soren realizes they are capturing him. He is taken to St. Aggie’s and he meets Gilfey almost immediately. They become fast friends, and it isn’t long before they start to realize that something very bad is going on there. Owls are made to chant their names over and over again. Each is also assigned a new number to go by and questions are forbidden. The leaders of St. Aggie’s force all the young owls to stand in the light of the full moon for three nights straight. This can cause a lot of damage to owlets and Soren and Gilfey worry they’ll forget who they are and what they believe. They haven’t even learned how to fly and it’s forbidden at St. Aggie’s. Is there any way that they can escape? Being sent to separate places to work makes it even harder for them to devise a plan. Can they come up with something that will work? You’ll have to read this interesting fantasy story to find out!

I recently saw a trailer for the movie The Guardians of Ga’Hoole and it made me curious about the books. I decided to pick up the first one in the series, The Capture by Kathryn Lasky. I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend because the narrator did a wonderful job with the different voices and bringing the story to life. I like the friendship between Soren and Gylfie. Both characters have their strengths, and I think they do a great job supporting each other. Being at Saint Aggie’s sounded scary to me, so I could understand why they wanted to leave. I felt nervous for them about the dangerous situation they were in, but enjoyed reading the story from the owls’ points of view. It would be a perfect read for anyone in fourth grade and up who likes a story with a variety of characters and a more complex plot. Since listening to the first book in the series I have already finished the next three. I’m waiting for book five to arrive at the library. I thought there were eight books in the series- but just heard there are sixteen. I am looking forward to reading more of the series- but with that number of books it could take a while.

Has anyone else read The Guardians of Ga’Hoole: The Capture? Or have you seen the movie? Or have you read another book by Kathryn Lasky? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

Nine, Ten: A September 11th Story

Will, Sergio, Aimee, and Naheed live in different parts of the United States, but their lives intersect at an airport on September 9^th. They're all at the same airport, but each is caught up in their own worlds. Then we follow along through their daily lives on September 9^th and 10^th. Learning about their struggles and the things they’re worried about makes the reader care about each character. Will lives in Pennsylvania and has spent the last year trying to live without his dad, who died in a car accident. Sergio is angry at his absentee father, and the streets of New York City help him blend in when he decides to ditch school. Moving to California is hard on Aimee, who is upset that her mom is away in New York City on business and not there for her on her first day at a new school. Naheed has just started middle school in Ohio and, for the first time in her life, is feeling self conscious about the head scarf she wears as part of her faith. When the events of September 11^th begin to unfold, each experiences what happens in a big way. How will their lives be impacted?

Nine, Ten: A September 11th Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin is a book that tells the story of September 11^th in a way that middle grade children can understand. You get to see the evens through the eyes of the four kids, and it’s told as tastefully as possible, while still giving the facts. I like how this book brought to light the historical events of September 11^th because anyone who is 17 or younger has no memory of the events on that day.  All of the kids seemed realistic to me and I liked getting to know each of them. Learning about the days leading up to the tragedy was a unique way to understand more about the events of September 11^th. I would recommend this to kids and adults from fourth grade and up. I especially recommend it for parents and kids to read this one together and have some important discussions. I’ve read other books by Nora Raleigh Baskin and enjoyed them, and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Has anyone else read Nine, Ten: A September 11th Story? Or have you read another book by Nora Raleigh Baskin? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

~L

Can You Really Dig a Hole to China?

Bubba says he can dig a hole to China, but his big sister, Squirt, doesn’t believe it. Bubba digs with a special shovel, and they're both surprised when the hole swallows them up, transporting them to a dark place surrounded by Terracotta Warriors. What is going on? How did they get here and why? Will they ever get home to their family? Things become even more curious when the ghost of an emperor tells them he needs his missing pi. Is it possible to find the pi in a place where they aren’t familiar? Making matters worse- someone seems to be after them. Will Bubba and Squirt solve the mystery and find the pi? You’ll have to follow along on this adventure to find out!

Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China is the first chapter book I’ve read by Sherry Ellis. I was curious about it because at the beach I’ve tried to dig a hole to the other side of the world. Mine didn’t work! I can’t imagine trying to dig that deep in a yard! Bubba was determined though. Bubba and Squirt are a very realistic brother and sister pair. I think kids will be able to relate to their sibling relationship. I liked that they learned a lot on their travels through Chinese culture and about what a “pi” is. The story weaves in history and interesting facts. This is a great chapter book for kids who are beginning to read longer texts and for those who may have a hard time picking out books. I would recommend this book to kids in second grade and up who like stories with adventure, magic, and humor. I enjoyed reading about Bubba and Squirt’s adventure, and I look forward to reading about more adventures in the future (hopefully). 

Has anyone else read Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China? Or have you read another book by Sherry Ellis? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Stop back Saturday for an interview with the author. 😀

Happy Reading!

~L

*Sherry is generously giving away three paperback copies of Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China.  All you have to do is comment on this review or our interview tomorrow. Winners will be randomly selected. Good luck! 

What Exactly Does the Black Cloak Do?

Serafina is the Chief Rat Catcher at the Biltmore Estate, residence of the Vanderbilt family. Only no one knows that she and her father live there in the basement. Serafina doesn’t have any friends, but she is very close to her father. She's never been outside and has been warned to never, ever go in the woods. Serafina spends the nights prowling. She knows the estate well from years of hiding in the shadows and creeping around. But one night, while out catching rats, she hears crying. When Serafina investigates, she sees a man in a black cloak trying to catch a young girl. He keeps saying he won’t hurt her, but she's clearly terrified, and Serafina vows to help her escape. With a swish of his cloak, the girl disappears. Serafina manages to get away. The next day, during an encounter with Braeden Vanderbilt (the owner’s nephew who lives there), she learns that other children have recently gone missing. The adults are starting to worry and search parties begin to form. Together Braeden and Serafina embark on a wild journey to see if they can uncover who is wearing the black cloak and figure out what he's doing with the children. Will they be able to piece together the clues? What does the cloak do? What happens to the children enveloped in its folds? Why isn’t Serafina supposed to go in the woods? You’ll have to check out this chilling tale to find out!

I have had Serafina and the Black Cloak on my TBR list since I first read about it on another blog. It’s taken me a while to get to it, and I really did not know what to expect. I liked the fact that Serafina was braver than she thought. When she met Braeden they became fast friends, but it made sense based on the disappearing children and the fact that neither of them had any friends. The black cloak was crazy, and I was very curious about the person behind it. I wondered what it did and what happened to the people who were swept up in it. Thankfully all those questions were wrapped up in the end. Serafina’s father seemed to be a gentle soul and I was happy she had him in her life. After reading the book, I was curious and had to look up the real Biltmore Estate since so much of the book took place there. Wow! It's easy to see how, with a house that size, someone could live in the basement and never be discovered. This book is a nice mix of realistic fiction and fantasy for those who enjoy a little bit of spooky. I’d recommend it to anyone in fourth grade and up who likes slightly creepy reads. It looks like there are a few more books in the series, too!

Has anyone else read Serafina and the Black Cloak? Or another book by Robert Beatty? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

Will Their Plan for the Last Day Work?

Brand, Steve, and Topher are all in Ms. Bixby‘s sixth grade classroom. Steve and Topher have been friends since the first grade when they met playing Legos. Brand has only been at their school since last year, but they formed a fast friendship. Their teacher, Ms. Bixby has touched their lives through moments that made them feel special and important. Moments nobody else knows about. So they take it hard when they find out that Ms. Bixby has pancreatic cancer and won’t be finishing out the school year. She tells them when her last day will be and the class plans a big party. Unfortunately, Ms. Bixby doesn’t come to school the next week and they learn she won’t be back, not even for the party. The boys devise a plan to do something special for their teacher. Their plan changes after they overhear that she's moving from the hospital in Boston to a treatment facility out of state. They've never skipped school before, but they make a foolproof plan. What'd they decide to do? Let’s just say it involves an expensive cheesecake, some wine, a scary man named Hazel, books, and buses. Will they pull off the special events they've planned? Is it possible to give someone a perfect day? How can they pay for their teacher’s favorite cheesecake when they learn it costs a lot more than they'd thought? You’ll have to read this tearjerker to find out.

Ms. Bixby‘s Last Day by John David Anderson is the first book I’ve read by this author. Being told from three different characters’ points of view gives readers a good idea about what’s happening in each scene. The characters are unique and different, but all still friends. Some things that happened in the story I could see kids getting in a lot of trouble for! The cheesecake plays an important role in the book and I went from wanting a piece- to maybe not wanting a piece. I loved that Miss Bixby was caring and made a connection with the boys (and I’m sure many others). It’s always wonderful when kids feel special and think a teacher is singling them out for something they’re good at or appreciating one of their personality traits. Honestly, I’m not sure how many teachers would want their students visiting them when they’re at a hospital getting ready for major surgery, but the end of the book was touching and definitely made me cry. I think a lot of adults will appreciate all the references to movies that were taking place in the 70s and 80s, like The Godfather and The Princess Bride. I would recommend this book to anyone in fourth grade and up who likes realistic fiction and reading books from different character perspectives. Although this book has laughter and sadness, there’s also a lot of action.

Has anyone else read Ms. Bixby’s Last Day? Or have you read another book by John David Anderson? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

 Happy Reading!

~ L

Will They Get the Loot?

Twelve-year-old March McQuinn has spent a life on the run, with his famous cat burglar father, Alfie. He’s learned a lot from his dad and has even played a role in some of the heists. Of course, March doesn’t do the planning, or the actual breaking and entering, or the stealing. But, when he shows up to help his father at the end of a big robbery, he is surprised that his father is falling from a roof. Before his father passes on, he says a few seemingly random words to March and gives him a moonstone from a famous heist he had been involved in years before. Now March is alone in Amsterdam and worried that someone is watching him. After taking the important things he needs and some notes his father had written, March follows one of the clues to an underground event and watches in amazement as a woman named Blue and a girl do some fascinating music, ribbon and tumbling work. The police break it up though, and this leads to March being taken into custody. The girl doing the ribbon work turns out to be his long lost twin sister, Jules. Neither of them knew the other existed. What other mysteries had Alfie hidden? Jules and March are sent back to America and put in a home for children. They meet two other kids who quickly become their friends. When Jules goes missing, and March recognizes her on tv in the footage of a major jewel heist, he wonders whose side Jules is on and why. Now March is determined to find the rest of the moonstones hinted at in the note his father left him. Even more enticing is the reward of millions of dollars promised to him by the woman whose cursed moonstones were stolen by March’s dad and fellow thieves years before. Unfortunately, there are other people who want those gems. Will March and Jules work together or stay on separate sides? Will he and his friends be able to travel around the county in less than a week rounding up all the gems in time for the full moon?  Are the stones really cursed and will the prophecy his father was told years before come true? Read this fast paced book to find out!

Loot is the first book I’ve read by Jude Watson. Looking at the cover I knew it was bound to be a book filled with action. I liked March and the other main characters. While they all had their flaws- they also had their strengths. The danger and excitement definitely kept me turning the pages. I couldn’t help but wonder if the kids would be successful on their quest for the moonstones, and if the lady on the other end of the deal would keep her promise and reward them with money. I like the threat of the curse and the magical moonstones were intriguing. They sounded beautiful. I would recommend this book to people ages nine and up who like a good adventure, and are okay with some of the action and stunts being unbelievable. It reminded me of the action movies my older brother likes to watch- very entertaining, even if you can’t picture it all really happening in real life. This is the first book in the series and I look forward to reading the next one.

Has anyone else read Loot?  Or have you read another book by Jude Watson? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

The Scoop on Poop!

Imagine yourself wearing a suit of armor in the middle ages. How would you go to the bathroom?  When did indoor plumbing become popular? What do astronauts do when they need to relieve themselves? Poop Happened: A History of the World from the Bottom Up by Sarah Albee is an amazing book that will take readers back through time to answer burning questions about how and where people went to the bathroom. Once you start reading, you’ll be fascinated by how bathroom etiquette and practices have changed over time. I had no idea that there were so many jobs relating to emptying chamber pots, wiping bottoms, and removing waste. Plus, there were many situations I hadn’t thought about before- but they really opened my eyes to what life was like in a variety of times throughout history. 

If you enjoy learning about the past and like to discover unique facts, then this is the book for you! The story of poop throughout the ages really made me think. I am definitely happy to live during a time and place where I have running water and an indoor toilet. Boy, bathroom issues were just one of the struggles people have had since the beginning of time. I especially like that the book had lots of historical information and longer sections to read, but text boxes and sidebars were sprinkled throughout the text. It’s possible to read every word or just enjoy snippets to give yourself an idea about this interesting topic. At close to 200 pages, this isn’t a book you will want to read all in one sitting. Still, you'll want to share the facts you learn with others, but based on the topic you’ll need to find the right place and time to sprinkle them into a conversation. A great way to get kids interested in non-fiction writing because it shows that you can write about anything you're curious about. A bonus- this author visited my school and was fabulous. She is really entertaining and with over 75 books she helped get us excited about research and note taking. I recommend this to anyone eight years old and up. 

Has anyone else read Poop Happened: A History of the World from the Bottom? Or have you read another book by Sarah Albee? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!
~ L

Catch the book trailer!

Some Very Messy Medieval Magic

Some Very Messy Medieval Magic is the third book in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel series by C. Lee McKenzie. This one picks up right where The Great Timelock Disaster left off. Pete and Weasel are called to a meeting and told they must go back in time to fix something that changed when Pete accidentally opened the time lock in their last adventure. Unfortunately they don’t have much time to prepare before they’re sent back, and they can’t even pack proper clothes to help them blend in. When they end up in medieval times, daily life gets a little tricky. Pete’s never ridden a horse and Weasel’s not allowed to wear his glasses because they haven’t been invented yet. Neither Pete nor Weasel can figure out what's going on, and they don’t have the slightest clue what important event they're supposed to make sure happens. How will someone get in touch with them? Who can they trust? Pete’s even more confused now that Weasel can hear everything he’s thinking. Why can Weasel do that all of a sudden? And what about the horse, Mellie, who Pete can communicate with in his mind? Will Pete and Weasel be able to set things right and get back to their time? Is there any way to stop more changes from happening and impacting the future? You’ll have to read this fast pace story to find out!

I have read many books by C. Lee McKenzie and enjoyed all of them. I was excited to read the latest adventure of the characters that have come to hold a place in my heart. Some Very Messy Medieval Magic showed how much Pete and Weasel have grown throughout the series. Not only is their friendship stronger, but they have each learned important things about themselves in the process. It was interesting when they were in medieval times because it made me realize how hard it would be to blend in with another time period; mistakes could give everything away. I recommend this book to kids in third grade and up who like magic or getting into a little mischief. I've found the series to flow smoothly from book to book, but also believe that each story can be read as a standalone. 

Has anyone else read Some Very Messy Medieval Magic? Or have you read another book by C. Lee McKenzie? 

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

Upside-Down Magic!

Nory Horrace's magic doesn’t seem to work the way she would like it to- it’s wonky. Being able to turn into an animal should be easy, especially the small black kitten she needs to change into for the Big Test at Sage Academy. Every time she tries, she turns into the wrong animal- or rather a combination of animals, like a bat and a cat. Worst of all, she gets lost in the mind of the creature and ends up embarrassing herself. It only makes things harder that her father is the headmaster of the academy. When Nory fails the Big Test she is heartbroken, but when an aunt she doesn’t know comes to take her away, Nory’s heart sinks even more. Her dad doesn’t want her to stay at his house with her wonky magic. Now she won’t get to see her brother and sister. Plus, they won’t even answer her phone calls. At her new school, there’s a class for kids who have upside-down magic. Their magic does the opposite of what it’s supposed to do. The kids in class seem nice, but Nory thinks they are a little strange. She and another student, Elliot, who turns things to ice instead setting them on fire, decide they don’t belong there and devise a plan to get into the “normal” magic classes. Will Elliot and Nory be able to tame their magic? Is it possible to take the test again and get out of the class they're in? Will Nory talk to her family again? Why is her dad so disappointed in her? Read this fast-paced story and find out!  

I had fun reading Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski! It was a book filled with unique characters, and I was easily able to read it in one day. I felt bad for Nory and her friends that they had trouble controlling their powers, also that they were often surprised by the outcome of their attempts. I imagine it'd be tough to lose control and have your magic surprise you all the time. It was fascinating to see what happened in the upside-down class. I thought their teacher was nice, and I liked how she pointed out what made them even more important was that their skills were different. Being able to do things that others can’t comes in handy! My favorite part was probably the end, but I don’t want to give anything away. I would recommend this book to kids (and adults) in second grade and up who enjoy stories with magic and characters that have a lot to learn. I know it will be exciting to read the rest of the books in the series!

Has anyone else read Upside-Down Magic? Or have you read another book by Sarah Mlynowski? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

What Happens When You Drink the Moon?

“Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. Some of the most wonderful things in the world are invisible. Trusting in invisible things makes them more powerful and wondrous.”  ~Kelly Barnhill, The Girl Who Drank the Moon



Every year the Elders of the Protectorate bring a baby to be sacrificed to the witch in the woods. They leave the baby to die in a clearing and the Protectorate is safe for another year. Little do they know that the witch, Xan, is actually kind and doesn’t require or want any sacrifices. She is actually confused when she finds the first baby, but she takes care of it and brings it to a village through the woods. 

There Xan makes sure to find a happy family for the baby. This is repeated year after year, until Xan picked up one of the babies and accidentally lets it drink moonlight. That kind of magic could be tricky for a regular family to deal with and the baby is just so sweet. Xan decides to bring her home to raise her, and names the little one Luna. It is soon clear that Luna has magic that can’t be controlled because she doesn’t understand the way life works yet. Xan does what she has to in order to protect Luna from herself and together they live a happy life at their home in the bog, with their swamp monster, and a very tiny dragon. But in the Protectorate there is someone who has always been haunted by the sacrifices and vows to put an end to the witch. Is there really an evil force preying on the village?  Will Luna ever learn to control her magic? What really happened to all those babies? You’ll have to soak in the pages of this story to find out!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is the first book I’ve read by the author, and it won’t be the last! I was curious about it since I first saw it and I’m so glad I didn’t wait any longer. I adored the characters and they each added so much to the story. I was very intrigued by the world that was described- half bog and half woods. The book has a lot of messages for readers, about the things we don’t say, love, acceptance, and doing what is right. This seemed like a modern day fairy tale to me and it is a story that will appeal to readers in fourth grade and up who enjoy magic and books that take place in other worlds. The writing is beautiful. A book filled with all kinds of emotions- it is one that will make you think.




Has anyone else read The Girl Who Drank the Moon? Or have you read another book by Kelly Barnhill? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~ L

The Mighty Miss Malone

“…some people have kindness and gentleness wrapped around them like a blanket and there’s no doubting who they are.” ~Christopher Paul Curtis, The Mighty Miss Malone

Deza Malone is the smartest girl at her school in Gary, Indiana. She loves everything about school and checks out books from her local library regularly. Deza’s older brother, Jimmie, excels at singing and has a voice like an angel. Sadly, he hasn’t grown since he was twelve, and now people think he's her younger brother. Unfortunately, the Great Depression has hit the Malone family hard and they don’t have the money to take Jimmie to a special doctor to find out what’s going on. Mr. Malone has been out of work and Mrs. Malone works as a housekeeper, but this barely keeps a roof over their heads and a small amount of food on the table. After a tragic accident, Father seems different, until the big fight between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling is about to take place. Deza doesn’t understand it, but there’s hope everywhere. She thinks the fight is stupid until her father explains it to her and how important it is that there is an arena in which the color of skin doesn’t matter. Everyone is certain they know how the fight will end, and after it is over Mr. Malone decides he needs to leave Gary and look for a job in Flint, Michigan. It isn’t long after when their landlord kicks the rest of the Malones out of their house. Leaving behind her school, her best friend, and the only life she has ever known is painful for Deza. Still, she moves with her mother to a Hooverville in Flint hoping to find her father and be united as a family again. Will they ever find Deza’s father? Is it possible to survive without money for food or shelter? Does Deza have enough hope and perseverance to continue on? Don’t miss this trip back in history, because you won’t be able to put it down!

I read Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis and fell in love with it. I couldn’t wait to read The Mighty Miss Malone and I was not disappointed. Deza is an inspirational character because she keeps trying and does her best to stay positive no matter what. Whenever I read about the Great Depression I am amazed that people survived, especially with so many struggles. My heart went out to Deza and her family and all that they went though. Reading about the Malones was so much fun because of their relationship with each other. Seeing how hard life was for Deza made me think about all the things I take for granted and how lucky I am to have food, shelter, clothes, and even frivolous items. Sadly, there were people in the book who were prejudiced against Deza and her family because of their skin color, and when they said things to her like, “You are a credit to your race” they didn’t realize they were letting Deza know they were someone judgmental who couldn’t be trusted. I especially like how the author showed us that we often misjudge people or situations because we think we know what's going on, but really we bring our own bias with us. Reading the “Afterward” I was surprised at the information I learned and how I had misjudged a situation in the book. It’s awesome when you can read a book, fall into another time and place, and learn an important lesson. I would recommend this book to people in grades four and up who like historical fiction and characters with heart. I will certainly read anything by this author! 

Has anyone else read The Mighty Miss Malone? Or have you read another book by Christopher Paul Curtis? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

Where Will Edward Tulane's Journey Take Him?

A china rabbit named Edward Tulane lives on Egypt Street with a girl named Abilene. Abilene dresses Edward in the finest clothes and treats him with tenderness. When her family takes a journey on the Queen Mary, she insists that Edward comes too. Unfortunately, this is when Edward gets tossed overboard and spends most of the next year face down at the bottom of the ocean. Oh how he wishes he could see the stars again. When Edward is finally fished out of the sea, he's taken to the home of a couple who thinks he's a girl rabbit. His name is changed and so are his clothes. This won’t be the last stop on Edward’s travels, nor will it be his last new name. Each person he encounters will leave their mark on his heart. Each step of the way he is learning to love. But is loving someone worth it? Is it possible for a china rabbit’s heart to break? Will Edward find his way back to Abilene? You’ll have to read this tale to find out!

I have read quite a few books by Kate DiCamillo, but I wasn’t sure what The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane would be about. I don't know many stories from a doll’s point of view, so it was fascinating to hear Edward’s take on the world. I liked seeing the different people who adopted Edward and the impact they had on him. He truly was on an adventure from the moment he left Egypt Street. Because Edward was a silent observer, his life felt out of his control- after all, he couldn’t move or talk. It was interesting to see how he went from one owner to the next and what the journey entailed. I especially liked how Edward’s heart seemed to grow as he learned to love. I have to say that I thought the story was going to end with a specific twist that didn’t come, but the end was still satisfying. I would recommend this book to people in grades three and up who like books with animals or toys as the main characters. The illustrations throughout the book are beautiful and really add to the story. 

Has anyone else read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane? Or have you read another book by Kate DiCamillo? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L