Yep!
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Finally finished...
Review:
This isn't a bad book, but it took me a very long time to read. Partly because it is a physical book, I think. At night I mostly read on my Kindle because it is more convenient. But I also think the plot just wasn't that compelling. The blurb on the book jacket (see above) sounds very exciting. But the story just didn't live up to the excitement. Maybe if I had read just this book all at once, it would have been more enjoyable.
The Glorious Path wants complete control of the country. Those they capture are give the choice: Join or Be Killed.
Fifteen-year-old Callum Roe and his younger brother, James, were captured by the Glorious Path -- a militant religion based on the teachings of a former U.S. soldier -- and forced to join six years ago. As a war rages between the Path and what's left of the U.S. government, Cal gets along by working in the Path's dog kennels. But soon Cal is presented with an opportunity to move up in the Path's ranks, putting him on the verge of becoming one of the Path's deadliest secret agents.Then Cal befriends a stray dog named Bear and kills a commander who wants to train Bear to be a vicious attack dog. This sends them both on the run, and sets in motion a series of incredible events that will test Cal's loyalties and end in a fierce battle that the fate of the entire country rests on.
--From the book jacket
The bond between Cal and Bear really touched me. Once Bear trusted Cal, he was a faithful companion and would never leave Cal's side. But I just didn't get some of the actions Cal took when it came to Bear. Even though one time especially it was for Bear's own good, it really bothered me.
Nathan Hill wasn't a very scary villain and we didn't get to know him enough to feel his motives or to hate him. I hated the organization (The Path) more than I hated Hill. I get why Cal and James agreed to join, they didn't want to die. But it seemed like others could have fought back and didn't. The book tells us that Hill was very persuasive and his followers practically worship him. I think that is how James becomes a believer. They are taken at a young age; Cal was 9 and James was younger but I don't remember exactly how much younger. And maybe Cal was able to resist Hill's teachings but James needed something to believe in.
The end was predictable to a point. But I was really disappointed by part of it.
I do like that the final ending of the book wasn't cut and dried. You don't know exactly what happens to Cal, James & Bear, but you have hope that they will be okay.
Recommended to:
Fans of young adult dystopian fiction or fans of the author Jeff Hirsch.
Forgiveness....
Review:
When Desmond takes his new bicycle out for a ride through his neighborhood, his pride and joy turn to hurt and anger when a group of boys shout a very mean word at him. He first responds by shouting an insult, but soon discovers that fighting back with mean words doesn’t make him feel any better. With the help of kindly Father Trevor, Desmond comes to understand his conflicted feelings and see that all people deserve compassion, whether or not they say they are sorry. Brought to vivid life in A. G. Ford’s energetic illustrations, this heartfelt, relatable story conveys timeless wisdom about how to handle bullying and angry feelings, while seeing the good in everyone.Teaches kids that everyone, even bullies, have feelings. And that forgiveness feels good, even when the other person hasn't apologized. Also shows that anger can eat you up inside and make you feel awful.
Based on a true story from Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s childhood in South Africa.
Recommended to:
Elementary school read-aloud.
Monday, September 7, 2015
The Science of Friendship
Review:
Pirate is friends with Scientist. Scientist is friends with Viking. Pirate and Viking are NOT friends. What will Scientist do? Use his brain, of course! Scientist forms a hypothesis, conducts an experiment, observes his results, and tests his subjects again and again until he discovers the perfect formula for friendship.Scientist really wants his two friends to like each other. He uses the scientific method to figure out what he can do. This is a cute book about friendship that helps young students learn about the scientific method in a fun way.
Recommended to:
Great read-aloud for elementary school science teachers that want to teach young children about the scientific method.
The Napkins... I mean Eyes of the Dragon
Review:
The passage through the castle is dim, sensed by few and walked by only one. Flagg knows the way well. In four hundred years, he has walked it many times, in many guises, but now the passage serves its true purpose. Through the spyhole it conceals, the court magician observes King Roland -- old, weak, yet still a king. Roland's time is nearly over, though, and young Prince Peter, tall and handsome, the measure of a king in all ways, stands to inherit the realm.This book is a departure from Stephen King's typical horror writing. He wrote this story so his 13-year old daughter could read one of his books. I think he succeeded in writing a delightful fantasy story that can be enjoyed by both young and older readers. There is strong theme of Good versus Evil and a struggle to "do the right thing". As the story progressed, there really weren't any surprises, but while not unexpected, the ending was satisfying.
Yet a tiny mouse is enough to bring him down, a mouse that chances upon a grain of Dragon Sand behind Peter's shelves and dies crying tears of fire and belching gray smoke. A mouse that dies as King Roland does. Flagg saw it all and smiled, for now Prince Thomas, a young boy easily swayed to Flagg's own purposes, would rule the kingdom. But Thomas has a secret that has turned his days into nightmares and his nights into prayed-for oblivion. The last bastion of hope lies at the top of the Needle, the royal prison where Peter plans a daring escape...
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job. Flagg's evil was palpable, including a hissing speaking voice. I liked the way the "storyteller" spoke to the reader and hinted at things to come. And as the story came towards the end and the suspense amped up, the chapters were very short. It was like we couldn't waste any time; it made the end come very quickly.
Recommended to:
Fans of fantasy stories with distinctly good & evil characters. It can be read by middle school students and above. (Note that many fans of Stephen King did not like this book.)
Reading progress update: I've read 110 out of 336 pages.
Um..... What????
A moment later a nail imbeds itself in ******'s eye, and he drops to the floor like a stone.
Where did that come from?
I mean, I knew something was coming, but really???
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Bringing light to dark places...
Review:
In this book, a young girl living in a dark, hard angry city, tries to steal an old woman's bag. The woman holds on with "the strength of heroes". The old woman agrees to let go if the young girl "promises to plant them". When the girl opens the bag, instead of money or food, she finds acorns. Then she goes around planting them and bringing light and hope to people in dark places.
This is a beautiful story meant to be read to elementary school students. Hopefully, it encourages them to pay it forward and try to bring light into the lives of others. The illustrations are gorgeous and they change as the story goes on.
Recommended to:
Great choice for a read-aloud to elementary students as a way to teach that hope brings hope and bringing hope to others is always a good thing.
Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1246091/bringing-light-to-dark-places
This is a beautiful story meant to be read to elementary school students. Hopefully, it encourages them to pay it forward and try to bring light into the lives of others. The illustrations are gorgeous and they change as the story goes on.
Recommended to:
Great choice for a read-aloud to elementary students as a way to teach that hope brings hope and bringing hope to others is always a good thing.
Lovable dog story...
Review:
Dedication:This story is about a family whose mom rescues great pyrenees dogs and whose dad is a vet. A boy moves in next door with his aunt & uncle. The boy doesn't speak and he quickly bonds with the dogs.
For Sue Carlin and all
those who rescue dogs --
And for those who adopt
and foster them.
It is a heroic, never-ending job.
And for Kodi.
This a cute story about how dogs can change your life and how dogs are very sensitive to people's needs. They know who needs their love most and are able to give it. Sometimes dogs know that people need saving when they don't even know it themselves.
I enjoyed this story. It literally took me an hour to read. This story will appeal to any dog lover or kid who has always wanted a dog...
Recommended to:
Readers in grades 3-5 (or anyone else who loves dogs).
Ahh... Jeopardy! Kids Week - another show to make me feel that I'm not smarter than a 5th grader ;)
Review:
Olivia Bean loves Jeopardy! When her father was around, they would watch it together every night. Now her father moved to California with her best friend's mother (and her best friend). But Olivia still watches Jeopardy! every night. She has been dreaming of being on Jeopardy! Kids Week for what seems like forever and this year is her last chance. First thing she has to do is register.... A parent has to do that. Which parent can she count on?
Olivia is a cute girl with a Jeopardy! obsession. She is having trouble adjusting to her new family situation. Her dad is too busy gambling or hanging out with his girlfriend to remember to call her once a week. Her mom's boyfriend lives with them now (and Olivia doesn't really like him much). And the boy next door is either very nice or very mean to her (she is not sure what to think about him).
This is a realistic story about families adjusting to changes and how deeply it affects the children. I liked Olivia and her family. I was really rooting for Olivia to get on Jeopardy! It just meant so much to her. The story deals with difficult issues in a lighthearted manner. Perfect for kids in grades 3-5.
Recommended to:
Young readers in grades 3-5, especially girls, who may relate to Olivia's dreams.
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