The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow

Monday, March 18, 2019

Fairday's Riddle: Enchantment Under the Sea

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? They're fascinating to learn about! ~ F

Mystery lore speaks of me— lines spell under the sea. I enchant Arctic coasts and have a tooth my blessing boasts.

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer

I gave you a clue!

Monday, March 11, 2019

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (#MMGM) Book Review: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma, are whisked away one Christmas Eve when the oldest, Kate, was only four. Someone was after them, and for their protection they were given only the last name of P. They don’t know who they are and if they will ever see their parents again. Going from one orphanage to another and never being able to find a home was discouraging, but Kate as the oldest, did her best to make things okay for her younger brother and sister no matter where they were. When they were finally sent to the last orphanage, Cambridge Falls, it was far away and dismal. There they met Dr. Pym and his housekeeper. They lived in a large home and the siblings seemed to be the only orphans in the place, which they thought was odd. They do love the amazing food and the kind adults. It isn’t long before they discover a magical book. This book transports them back in time to when Cambridge Falls was ruled by the Countess, an evil, witchy woman who imprisoned the children of the town. The Countess wants the book and will stop at nothing to get her way. Can Kate Emma and Michael ever get back to the present time? What will happen if the Countess gets the book? What exactly can the book/atlas do? Take a journey through time and space to find out!

I have had The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens on my list of books to read for at least two years. I am thrilled that I finally got to it. I listened to the audio book version read by my favorite narrator, Jim Dale (narrator of the Harry Potter series). Kate, Emma, and Michael are siblings unified by their family bond, but they also have very different personalities. They fight, but they love each other. I felt bad for Kate because her life involves being so grown-up and responsible because their parents are gone and she’s the oldest. I love the fantasy aspects of the book because it was very exciting to learn about the magic and how it worked. The atlas intrigued me and I am very curious about the other two books in the set. I would recommend this book to kids and adults who like fantasy, magic, and time travel. Those are some of my favorite things! I enjoyed the fantastical characters, and the evil ones were done very well because I didn’t like them at all. I look forward to reading more books by this author and I already have the next book in the series.

Has anyone else read The Emerald Atlas? Or have you read another book by John Stephens? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~ L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Friday, March 8, 2019

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Connecting Spots

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! Compass was a great answer, but we're traveling with an atlas. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into Lizzy's middle grade book review. See you all around the book block. ~ F

Looking for a place in mind? If I'm on hand, it's a find. Standing at the western edge, heaven bears this Titan's pledge. Traveling hands mark the spots, I will help connect the dots.

What am I? Answer: Atlas

Titan, Atlas

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I

Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations

Monday, March 4, 2019

Fairday's Riddle: Where In The World?

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Cartography is fascinating, and these can be very useful. ~ F

Looking for a place in mind? If I'm on hand, it's a find. Standing at the western edge, heaven bears this Titan's pledge. Traveling hands mark the spots, I will help connect the dots.

What am I? Stop by Friday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!

Monday, February 25, 2019

Margo's Musings: Bernice is More Than Just a Squash

Hints of spring are in the air here, and I know my family is ready for warmer weather. Days are getting a little longer and before we know it we’ll be getting our garden ready. I can’t wait to help my dad do some digging in the dirt, but until then I can read about gardens and the wonderful produce we get from them. My little sister, Margo, picked up Sophie’s Squash when we visited the library recently. It’s adorable!

Sophie sees a squash that her mother planned to cook, but it was just the right size to bounce on her knee and hold in her arms. They were instant friends, and Sophie named her Bernice. Soon the two were going everywhere together. Although her parents wanted her to give Bernice to a local food pantry before she started to rot, Sophie wouldn’t hear of it. Nothing was going to happen to Bernice! She loved Bernice! Even when little “freckles” start popping up on Bernice, Sophie is not swayed. Will Sophie be able to handle it when her pal becomes squishier? Is there anything she can do to help her squash? This sweet book has a delightful ending that will bring a smile to your face.

Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf is a beautiful picture book with a story that melted my heart. I can understand becoming attached to an inanimate object- so Sophie’s love of Bernice seemed very realistic to me. Margo cracked up at all the things Sophie and Bernice did together. The illustrations are cute and have a fun appeal. I was worried about how Sophie would react when Bernice wasn’t in tip top shape anymore, but the story moved to the next stage in the squash's life perfectly. The ending is awesome, and I love that there's a follow-up book- Sophie’s Squash Go to School. I know we’ll be picking it up soon. Until then, Margo will have me reading this one over and over again.

Has anyone else read Sophie’s Squash? Or have you read another book by Pat Zietlow Miller? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~ F

Friday, February 22, 2019

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Squash Time!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we're into squash. Tune in MONDAY to find out how the answer ties into the story. Can you guess the children's picture book Margo's chosen for us? See you all around the book block. ~ F

On the vine I shall grow— living light, lying low. When my flowers burst and bloom buzzing bees begin to loom. I'll take shape in seasons time, climbing up the fencing line. I'm likely roasted or stewed in soup, my gutty cousins get the scoop.

What am I? Answer: Squash!

From the squash's perspective.