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2.59k reviews by:
librarybonanza
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
A perfect follow-up to this opposites-attract friendship.
A perfect follow-up to this opposites-attract friendship.
Age: Middle School, advanced reader
Growing up the daughter of a book mender, 12-year-old Meggie has always had a fascination with books and the magical stories within. Although her father kindles her love for literature, he has never actually read aloud to her. When Meggie's father is captured by a group of goons, she soon discovers the secrets that her father has been keeping from her, including his magical ability to read characters to life. Meggie is thrown into an adventure to save her father from the grips of the villainous characters that he read from a fantastical book called Inkheart.
The British audiobook narrator was delightful with various character voices--perfect for a car trip. In retrospect, the events of the book felt a bit repetitious but fantasy fans will eat it up.
Growing up the daughter of a book mender, 12-year-old Meggie has always had a fascination with books and the magical stories within. Although her father kindles her love for literature, he has never actually read aloud to her. When Meggie's father is captured by a group of goons, she soon discovers the secrets that her father has been keeping from her, including his magical ability to read characters to life. Meggie is thrown into an adventure to save her father from the grips of the villainous characters that he read from a fantastical book called Inkheart.
The British audiobook narrator was delightful with various character voices--perfect for a car trip. In retrospect, the events of the book felt a bit repetitious but fantasy fans will eat it up.
Age: High School-College
Tough Issue: Rape
This needs to be required reading in high school classrooms. On top of the excellent writing and the suspense of the book, Summers provides a hard and emotional journey of a high school senior who has been raped by the town star and sheriff's son. When no one believes her, even her best friend, Romy is left in a victim's silence, blaming and hating herself while trying to forget her trauma.
After it is finally revealed who killed Penny, Summers contrasts the reader's horrifying realization with sound bites from a radio show of people trying to justify the crime and humanizing the male aggressor. Using the power of fiction to highlight this grotesque societal norm is absolutely heartstopping and why every teen should read this and discuss it. (However, upon further thought, it would be horrifying to sit through a lengthy discussion about rape if you yourself have experienced it. I still think that this book is very important for opening up discussion, but it should be voluntary.)
Tough Issue: Rape
This needs to be required reading in high school classrooms. On top of the excellent writing and the suspense of the book, Summers provides a hard and emotional journey of a high school senior who has been raped by the town star and sheriff's son. When no one believes her, even her best friend, Romy is left in a victim's silence, blaming and hating herself while trying to forget her trauma.
After it is finally revealed who killed Penny, Summers contrasts the reader's horrifying realization with sound bites from a radio show of people trying to justify the crime and humanizing the male aggressor. Using the power of fiction to highlight this grotesque societal norm is absolutely heartstopping and why every teen should read this and discuss it. (However, upon further thought, it would be horrifying to sit through a lengthy discussion about rape if you yourself have experienced it. I still think that this book is very important for opening up discussion, but it should be voluntary.)
Age: Toddler-Preschool
Another fun, interactive addition but nothing quite as awe-inspiring as the first (sadly). Still perfect for bedtime reads.
Another fun, interactive addition but nothing quite as awe-inspiring as the first (sadly). Still perfect for bedtime reads.
Age: Middle School-High School
First line: "There are places you can go," Arianna told him, "and a guy as smart as you has a decent chance of surviving to eighteen."
A thrilling read that follows the lives of three runaways as they flee the socially acceptable--and parental approved--"unwinding" of their bodies. While I certainly enjoyed it and the writing was very plot-driven, I just couldn't get past the concept that pro-choice people would be like "well, if parents can't choose to abort fetal tissue at the beginning of a pregnancy, then I guess we can give them the option to kill their child at 13 and have their body parts redistributed."
Regardless, I still think fans of dystopian worlds and fast-paced plots will thoroughly enjoy this read.
First line: "There are places you can go," Arianna told him, "and a guy as smart as you has a decent chance of surviving to eighteen."
A thrilling read that follows the lives of three runaways as they flee the socially acceptable--and parental approved--"unwinding" of their bodies. While I certainly enjoyed it and the writing was very plot-driven, I just couldn't get past the concept that pro-choice people would be like "well, if parents can't choose to abort fetal tissue at the beginning of a pregnancy, then I guess we can give them the option to kill their child at 13 and have their body parts redistributed."
Regardless, I still think fans of dystopian worlds and fast-paced plots will thoroughly enjoy this read.
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Nature: Trees
Jack loves to hack, chop, and stack wood. On the search for the perfect tree, several animals stop Jack to show him their perfect trees. He notices the unique features of the trees and rethinks his belief that trees are made for one purpose. The artwork feels slightly excessive, but mesmerizing.
Nature: Trees
Jack loves to hack, chop, and stack wood. On the search for the perfect tree, several animals stop Jack to show him their perfect trees. He notices the unique features of the trees and rethinks his belief that trees are made for one purpose. The artwork feels slightly excessive, but mesmerizing.
Age: 3rd-5th grade
Media: ink and watercolor
You'll find around 57 explorers cram packed in this introduction to the various forms of exploration. The paintings/drawings are pretty captivating leaning towards caricatures. The fast-paced tone is one of excitement and flattery.
While the title holds much promise, this book was a disappointment. The biggest downfall is the excessive amount of explorers introduced. Each explorer's discoveries are simplified facts without much build up and room to highlight specific traits amongst the explorers (lightly, awkwardly mentioned). Precious space is wasted with superfluous details like "Ms. Mary looked like a proper lady. But under her long skirts? Men's trousers" (12). While these are unique and cute and help split up the list of discoveries, they waste time that could be given relating the explorers to the audience. I also really disliked the way St. George handled the effect of exploration on native civilizations, saying that "bad explorers can do the natives in" (20).
This would have been better split up into two books, each at the same length of this book.
Media: ink and watercolor
You'll find around 57 explorers cram packed in this introduction to the various forms of exploration. The paintings/drawings are pretty captivating leaning towards caricatures. The fast-paced tone is one of excitement and flattery.
While the title holds much promise, this book was a disappointment. The biggest downfall is the excessive amount of explorers introduced. Each explorer's discoveries are simplified facts without much build up and room to highlight specific traits amongst the explorers (lightly, awkwardly mentioned). Precious space is wasted with superfluous details like "Ms. Mary looked like a proper lady. But under her long skirts? Men's trousers" (12). While these are unique and cute and help split up the list of discoveries, they waste time that could be given relating the explorers to the audience. I also really disliked the way St. George handled the effect of exploration on native civilizations, saying that "bad explorers can do the natives in" (20).
This would have been better split up into two books, each at the same length of this book.
Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Familiar Issue: New kid on the block
Perhaps inspired by Facebook feeds obnoxiously full of food pictures, Border presents a sweet tale of a Peanut Butter. Having moved into the neighborhood he has no friends to play soccer with him. The book shows him introducing himself to several food products, each with unique, distinct, and sometimes quirky personalities. Just when he had given up, he finally finds the perfect friend: Jelly.
The title is an odd choice because Cupcake gets just as much time in the book as all the other foods. But the dry humor and silliness makes up for it. Great photography and staging!
Familiar Issue: New kid on the block
Perhaps inspired by Facebook feeds obnoxiously full of food pictures, Border presents a sweet tale of a Peanut Butter. Having moved into the neighborhood he has no friends to play soccer with him. The book shows him introducing himself to several food products, each with unique, distinct, and sometimes quirky personalities. Just when he had given up, he finally finds the perfect friend: Jelly.
The title is an odd choice because Cupcake gets just as much time in the book as all the other foods. But the dry humor and silliness makes up for it. Great photography and staging!