MSBA nominee 2009-2010

I agree with Deanna's review that it was a bit of an X-Men ripoff. I thought it was good, but I'm not sure I would have picked it for a Newbery honor book.

Mibs wants nothing more than to turn 13 and get her very own savvy. However, a few days before her birthday, her father gets into a horrible accident. Mibs becomes convinced that she is the only thing that can wake her papa up, and she goes off on an adventure to do so. Some subtle romance and growing up occur during the trip.

This was good right up until the end. I just didn't like the ending. Otherwise, if you enjoyed The Neddiad you're going to enjoy this book.

I personally just liked this book, but I think if you were more of a fan of adventure stories, or what a lot of people classify as "boy" books, then you would love this one. It's about three boys after their mom dies, when their dad decides to take them on a sailing trip in the Bahamas. One night, he disappears. The boys must struggle on to survive without him. Will they make it through alive?

Nominated for MSBA 2009-2010.

MSBA Nominee 2009-2010

I listened to the audio version of this book, and I really enjoyed it.

Addie's mom is the all or nothing type. Sometimes she's there making fiesta meals. Sometimes she's gone for days at a time. When will Addie's life ever be normal?

So I read this book because it was given to me. I liked it, and I could see how it would get a certain cult following, but I didn't love it. And I don't know if that's because I don't totally understand guy/girl friendships because I've never really had any, so I can't relate to that part of the book, or the way I totally knew what was going on with the parents from the way they were first described, or whether it just wasn't right for me. I would definitely recommend it. After all, people thought Frankie Landau-Banks was one of the best books of last year, and I had a bit of a hard time relating to that one too.

MSBA nominee 2009-2010

I think this book will be popular with kids who already enjoy Korman's work and for kids who enjoy heist type stories. I feel like it skews a little bit more towards a boy book, but I certainly enjoyed reading it and found it easier to get into than The Great Wide Sea.

My only complaint would be that it switches point of view among characters fairly often, and at times I found it particularly difficult to remember whether Griffin or Ben was speaking. I'd be interested to know if others had this difficulty.

MSBA Nominee 2009-2010

Creepy book! One of the few Avi books that I like.

I still enjoyed it, even though sometimes they feel a little predictable.