What's Behind the Walls?

When CJ, Brid, Patrick, and their baby sister move to 5^th Avenue from Brooklyn their lives change dramatically. With their new address comes fancy private schools and distance from old friends. They aren't happy about it until they stumble upon clues to a mystery that's almost 100 years old. Bouncing a tennis ball, which goes astray, leads them to a mysterious message behind a wall, and they discover a way overdue library book (it was due in 1937). They don't realize that returning the book will change their lives forever. They aren’t the only ones trying to solve the mystery. But, not everyone has access to the poems written on the walls of their apartment, and they also have a handwritten book of poems that must mean something. But, what? Is the man who is has been creeping around their apartment safe? Who is Eloise from downstairs? Was a treasure really hidden? Could something like that even still be there after all these years? Is it possible for three kids to solve a mystery that no one has been able to solve in all these years? You have to read this adventure! See if you can solve the case!

Walls Within Walls by Maureen Sherry was right up my alley. I love to solve mysteries and so do these kids. Put us in an apartment together and we'd have lots of fun! I like that the mystery was based around poems because I read a variety of different ones in this book, and I feel like not only was I getting to solve the mystery, but I learned a lot too. It was also great that there were codes and puzzles for the reader to solve along with the characters. I liked CJ and Brid, but their younger brother Patrick was probably my favorite. I think I'll skip having him write any letters to my teachers though after seeing what he wrote (you will laugh out loud). Eloise is an excellent character and she added so much to the story. This was my first book by this author but I look forward to reading more books by her in the future, especially the rest of the series which has been exciting so far. I would recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up. I think younger kids could enjoy it with an adult but they might need some help and some explanations to solve the problems/codes. Anyone who lives in NYC will have a blast and the upper hand when trying to figure out the clues. I know I have some places to visit soon to see if they match what was in the book.   

Has anyone else read Walls Within Walls? Or have you read another book by Maureen Sherry? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

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Answer to Monday's Riddle: Poetry in Motion...

Lazy Jane by Shel Silverstein- my favorite poem. :)

Excellent guessing Riddles! Congratulations to Joanne R. Fritz for guessing correctly. This was a tricky riddle! Lizzy's review will whisk us away, and Friday we'll woo you with words. See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

I'm inner imagery; the sense of a scene. I'll make you smell color or carelessly careen. Peddling words when they're tossed and seasoned, I'll deliver to you both rhyme and reason. Some think I'm cheap, too wrapped up in emotion. Some find me scholarly, others seek potion. I can be anything to those who dare leap, it's the blank of my pages that shapes wolves into sheep. What can I be? I'm a genre in history, keeping forever the stroke of life's mystery. Those who write me may become famous, though most end up broke and nameless. But, it matters not the title or author, time sticks to the story like stones in a coffer. 

What am I? Answer: poetry

The answer to the riddle clue is: Poe wrote on both. :)

Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations 

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

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Monday's Riddle: Tangled Words...

Hello Riddlers! It's that time again. Can you guess our theme this week? If you enjoy Monday's Riddle, you're experiencing this with cadence. ; ) ~ F

I'm inner imagery; the sense of a scene. I'll make you smell color or carelessly careen. Peddling words when they're tossed and seasoned, I'll deliver to you both rhyme and reason. Some think I'm cheap, too wrapped up in emotion. Some find me scholarly, others seek potion. I can be anything to those who dare leap, it's the blank of my pages that shapes wolves into sheep. What can I be? I'm a genre in history, keeping forever the stroke of life's mystery. Those who write me may become famous, though most end up broke and nameless. But, it matters not the title or author, time sticks to the story like stones in a coffer. 

What am I?

I gave you a clue! 

The answer to this riddle is a clue. ;)  

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What Happened to the Last Unicorn?

"I'm looking for others like me. Have you seen them, magician?"

There is a forest, known to few, where the last unicorn dwells. By her magic, the woods spread out in eternal spring, mirroring her immortality. The trees twinkle from her brilliance, and even woodland creatures catch a spark of her grace. Though having a friend would be nice, leaving the forest is dangerous. Besides, other unicorns had their own forests to tend to. When she overhears a huntsman proclaim that all the unicorns have gone, she doesn't understand. It's true unicorns can be killed, but surly they don't just vanish? 

When a poetic butterfly's dizzying words peak her curiosity, she sets out on a quest to find her kin. With her only hope in the hands of a bumbling wizard and a hard-nosed lady named Molly Grue, what are her chances of finding the others? How will she escape Mommy Fortuna's traveling carnival? Will all be lost if the red bull finds her? What happens when a unicorn feels regret? You will have to watch this spectacular film to find out! 

Being on the topic of unicorns this week, I couldn't resist watching one of the greatest movies of all time, The Last Unicorn. This is a rare case where the movie is as good, if not better, than the book, because the visual imagery is amazing! It's one of a few films I've seen where the magic really resonates, telling of old, whimsical lore and revealing truths we all know, but are kept hidden in plain sight. This is a story you won't forget, and I recommend it to all those who wish to be enchanted. :)   

Enjoy the show! ~ F

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Do Wishes On Unicorns Come True?

Every day after school Mags has to take care of her little sister, Hannie, who has special needs, and her brother, Mooch, who everyone is saying is a thief. Her mom has to get ready to go to work at her second job in the factory and someone needs to make dinner, do the dishes, clean up the trailer, and get the little ones to bed. Sometimes Mags just wishes it didn't have to be her. When does she get to be a kid? When does someone take care of her? Life isn’t easy when everyone at school thinks you're trash, and the school bully is trying to cause problems for you. When Mags and Hannie stumble upon an old, dirty discarded unicorn in the field coming home from school, Hannie must have it. Mags tries to explain to her that there's nowhere to put it in their trailer. But, Hannie believes the unicorn is magic, and she won't leave it behind. Finally, they take it home, deciding to hide it in a garbage bag. Mooch makes the first wish on the unicorn. Next, Mags wishes on the unicorn because she really needs some new clothes. Hannie doesn't wish because she isn’t sure what she wants to wish for. Mags thinks the wishes are silly, but then there are clothes waiting for her when she gets home. Secondhand clothes appear from her aunt, and they make Mags feel pretty good. The next day more magic seems to be happening. Is it the unicorn? Things seem to be getting better, but when faced with a big decision will Mags make the right choice? Will Hannie ever use her wish? Can wishes really come true if wished on a stuffed unicorn? You will have to decide for yourself.

I really enjoyed Wish on a Unicorn by Karen Hesse. My heart went out to Mags, and I wish I could meet her and be friends with her because it's clear she needs a friend. I felt bad for her that she wants to be friends with some girls in class who may not be so nice. Sometimes we want things because we're looking at them through a distorted lens. Mags feels bad about herself and her home life, and I think this makes the popular girls seem more glamorous. My heart also went out to Mags because she has a lot of responsibility for someone her age. Kids are mean to her sister and brother, but her family is simply trying to just get along day by day. I think kids in fifth grade and up would enjoy this book and would want to be friends with Mags too. It made me realize that we often spend so much time wishing about things we don't have- that we don't see what's right in front of us. When push comes to shove we want our family and those we love to be safe and happy. I have to tell you this book made me cry. I listened to it on audio, and I definitely recommend it to others. The narrator did a wonderful job, and I felt my heart being pulled towards the characters. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Has anyone else read Wish on a Unicorn? Or have you read another book by Karen Hesse? We would love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

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