Do Cats Have Family Trees?

Review:

 

This book gives an overview of the classification of living things and explains the different levels of animal classification including classes of vertebrates, the order of carnivores, and what defines each level. The language is perfect for 3-5 graders or older struggling readers or English language learners. 

 

There is a short quiz at the end of the book and a glossary that defines important words. Suggestions for books and websites with further information are also provided.

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1884340/do-cats-have-family-trees

What makes a mammal a mammal?

Review:

 

This is a cute read-aloud (or independent read) for elementary students to help them understand the characteristics of mammals and the different kinds of animals that fit into that category. It explains that mammals have hair, drink milk as babies, breathe air, are born alive, have big brains, are warm-blooded, and have middle ear bones & backbones. It explains it all in easy to understand language that would fit right into a third-grade curriculum. It then asks students whether a specific animal is a mammal and explains why or why not.

 

It is part of a series, including: What makes a bird a bird? and What makes a bug a bug?

 

This book can also be used with older students who need scaffolding, are struggling readers, or are English Language Learners.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1883497/what-makes-a-mammal-a-mammal

The Meg

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook/Owned

 

 

 

From the moment the early morning fog had begun to lift, they sensed they were being watched.

- first sentence

 

Not a bad killer beastie story. The Megalodon is scary and the way she escapes from the deep ocean is close enough to believable that we can suspend our disbelief. Mayhem ensues as humans attempt to capture/kill the shark. Oh, and the shark is pregnant, so a built-in sequel, no matter what happens to the main shark.

 

My main problems with this story are with the main character and with the author's apparent attitude towards women. Jonas is not likable at all. And the way the author describes and talks about women made me think the book was written in the 70's. It's absolutely cringe-worthy. The sexist language and attitude of the male characters are unbelievable. It was hard to listen to at times. Also, the repeated use of the words, "Ampullae of Lorenzini" was irritating as hell. Okay already, we know what they are and how the shark uses them. You don't have to refer to them by name in every other sentence.

 

Overall, the book wasn't bad, but I recommend seeing the movie instead. They eliminated the character of Jonas' wife completely and the cringe-worthy sexist bullshit was gone. And the women characters were more than just sex objects.

 

I'm using this book towards by HA A to Z challenge over on Goodreads.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1882907/the-meg

Snakes and Ladders - Update #9

 

Next roll:

 

 

 

 

 

1. Author is a woman - Grump by Liesl Shurtliff

9. Author's last name begins with the letters H, I, J, or K - What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz

16. Genre: fantasy - The Last Gargoyle by Paul Durham

21. Set in Europe - The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne

28. Written between 1900 and 1999 - The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

35. Had been adapted as a movie - Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

43. Characters involved in the law - The Cutting Edge by Jeffery Deaver

48. A book you acquired in February 2019 - By a Spider's Thread by Laura Lippman

55. Is more than 500 pages long - Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld 

 

 

Landed on:

 

64. Cover is more than 50% yellow

 

 

I was surprised how hard it was for me to find one for this space. I had one hardcover book on my shelves that worked for this space: Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris. I'm not sure if the front cover is exactly more than 50% yellow, but it looks that way (and the back cover is completely yellow). I just looked at my recent posts and noticed that the book I read for space #48 was also more than 50% yellow, go figure. Also, I just missed a snake again. Eventually, they will get me...

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1882892/snakes-and-ladders-update-9

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Review:

Audience: Young Adult

Format: Hardcover/Owned

 

 

 

The most important email that Darcy Patel ever wrote was three paragraphs long.

- first sentence

 

Darcy Patel's parents think she is going to college, but she has other plans. The young adult book she wrote during her senior year is going to be published and she is planning to live in New York on her own for a year and see if she has what it takes to be a "real" author. The advance Darcy received for her book is substantial and her sister helps her create a budget. But this is only half the story. In between Darcy's story, we find her novel, the story of Lizzie who escapes a terrorist attack by pretending to be dead. But while "pretending" Lizzie travels to the Afterworld and meets some very interesting people.

 

So, we see Darcy trying to survive in New York, manage her relationships and money, and going through the doubts and struggles of a young writer. The story is very real and touching. We grow to love Darcy and root for her success. We see her through all the ups and downs a young girl first on her own might experience.

 

We also see Lizzie in a story filled with danger, supernatural beings, and the power to travel to the world people go to after death. We watch Lizzie struggle to figure out what her life is now and how she can survive in it and try to figure out her new powers and what they mean.

 

This book is fabulous and I really enjoyed it - not what I expected at all from looking at the cover. It was fun to watch Darcy grow up and hear her doubts about her novel. Then we get to read her book in between Darcy's story. It's like two amazing and completely different stories in one book.

 

I read this for Snakes & Ladders space #55. Is more than 500 pages long. I was worried it would take me too long, but I had a hard time putting it down.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1882881/afterworlds-by-scott-westerfeld