Time travel adventure

Review:

Samuel Faulkner's trouble with time started at 9:48 Saturday morning. - first sentence Sam's father is missing. While searching the basement of his father's antique bookstore, Sam finds a statue, a book and a coin. Sam inserts the coin in the statue and is transported back to Scotland in 800 A.D. Every time Sam travels, he must find another coin to use the statue again. But how can he get home, and where is his father? This is an exciting adventure. Sam travels from the time of the Vikings, to World War 1, to ancient Egypt. He also faces troubles at home with bullies, and his step uncle. He grows and learns from each of his travels, and becomes stronger as well. Young readers will be drawn into Sam's experience and maybe learn a bit of history along the way. Prevost originally wrote historical mysteries for adults and makes every effort to keep the historical information accurate. His goal (according to the interview in the back of the book), is to show kids that History is fascinating. This is the first book in a trilogy. Recommended to: Readers in grades 4-8 who enjoy adventure, time travel or history.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1509717/time-travel-adventure

Great follow up to the first...

Review:

The sun was low over the sea off the shore of Artime, making the distant islands look like flaming drops of lava on the horizon. An enormous winged cheetah named Simber came into view, flying over the nearby jungle. - opening sentences This book was just as good as the first. The end was a huge cliffhanger and I am dying to read the next one. But, my tbr list calls... and there are at least 5 more books in the series. So, I will take a short break. But I'll be back.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1508751/great-follow-up-to-the-first

Love this series...

Review:

"There was a hint of wind coming over the top of the stone walls and through the barbed-wire sky on the day Alexander Stowe was to be Purged." - First sentence "Fear and a suspicion of strangers is, I'm afraid, a characteristic of many humans." - Mr. Today "Fighting against Quill's bigotry, which says brains and brawn are better, or more important, than creativity." - Mr. Today "Survival depended on shrewdness and good judgment as well as skill." - Alex This is a stupendous fantasy, dystopian story that young people will love. Lisa McMann does a first-class job of world building and character development. Alex and his twin brother (Aaron) live in Quill. Every year Quill goes through a "Purge" where all 13-year olds are divided into three categories: Wanted, Necessary, and UnWanted. Any kids that show creative tendencies are labeled UnWanted and destined to be put to death. The Wanteds go to the military academy and the Necessaries move on to menial jobs that keep the city going. But, the UnWanteds are traveling towards a different destination.... I was captivated by this story and as soon as I finished book one, I immediately ordered book two and started reading. The cover claims this is, "the Hunger Games meets Harry Potter." I believe this story is amazing in its own right and deserves a chance to fascinate you... Highly recommended!

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1507598/love-this-series

A secret pawnbroker....

Review:

This is a magical story about a young boy, Ludlow Fitch who leaves his rotten parents and meets up with Joe Zabbidou, a secret pawnbroker. Joe is opening his pawnshop in a poor town that is controlled by an evil man who delights in kicking people out of their homes. Joe can't solve their problems, or the problems of Ludlow, but he encourages people to be patient and good things will come...

 

The story is charming but has a few important twists that young people might miss. Without them, the story is a bit confusing.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1506951/a-secret-pawnbroker

Conclusion to the Pine Deep trilogy

Review:

It has been so long since I've been able to post a review. Between being busy and Booklikes being down... Oh well. I guess a few will be pretty short. I loved this series. It was creepy and scary and twisty. Another gem from Jonathan Maberry. Highly recommended.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1506948/conclusion-to-the-pine-deep-trilogy

Good book, awful narration

Review:

 

Ok, so I know this book is a classic and my daughter had to read it for school. So, I decided to listen to it on audio while I was driving in my car. The author narrated the book and I hated the way he spoke and the voices he used. They seemed whiny and annoying most of the time. I am certain this affected the way I felt about the book.

 

The story was touching, funny and heartbreaking at times. It seemed a bit too pushy with the "all Indians are drunks" thing and that sort of bothered me. But, the main character, Junior, is inspirational in that he decides he wants something better for himself and takes the chance to go to an all white school to find it. He is brave, crazy, stupid, and funny all at the same time. Leaving the reservation to go to a different school is huge and causes a lot of turmoil in Junior's life, but he struggles through it.

 

In my opinion, if you are interested in this book, skip the audio and just read it yourself. :)

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1503542/good-book-awful-narration

A different look at Typhoid Mary

Review:

 

 

Brothers she had once, but none so suffocating as this Brother.

- first line

 

 

A group of college students and a junior professor go out on the river one day and end up landing on a mysterious island. The students are all studying the field of public health. They hang out together often and call themselves the Sewer Rats. They are curious about the island and drawn to its mysteries. As they explore the island, they come across signs of recent habitation, even though no one should be living there. Many years ago, it was where Typhoid Mary was imprisoned - for the sake of public safety. Things gradually get creepier, as it starts to get dark and the students start to worry if they will ever make it off the island.

 

This is an interesting story. Half of the story is told from Mary's point of view, and the other half from the student's. Mary is angry and wants to be left alone. One of the students, Karalee is the granddaughter of the doctor who imprisoned Mary on the island.

 

I can't say it left any real impression on me, but the story was unusual. I finished it a while ago, but have been busy with school. Sorry about the short, semi-coherent review.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1503526/a-different-look-at-typhoid-mary