Wednesday, July 30, 2014

What's Behind the Walls?

When CJ, Brid, Patrick, and their baby sister move to 5th 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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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

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 

Available in all e-book formats
Download for only .99¢ on Smashwords





Monday, July 28, 2014

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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Friday, July 25, 2014

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. :)   



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