Review:

 

 

 

 

Back to New Fiddleham, New England with Abigail Rook and her eccentric employer, R.F. Jackaby, supernatural investigator. From shape shifters disguised as kitten-fish to a dig for dinosaurs and a great of suspicious deaths, this book has a lot going on. But, in the end, it all ties together.

 

I like Abigail, she is smart and strong and also a bit unsure of herself. Jackaby is a bit crazy, but still a good-hearted person. I listened to the audio of this book and enjoyed the narrator's voice. I noticed things about the writing that didn't stand out as much when I read the first book. Abigail speaks in alliteration often... very often. It is sort of funny, for instance, at one point she talks about another character having a "propensity for peddling pilfered goods." Once I noticed this, it made me smile every time she did it.

 

This is a fun series, and I will probably read the next one... eventually. :)

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1558898/post

Booklikes-opoly status update

Bank: $35.00

 

April 24th

Finished Beastly Bones

305 pages = $3.00

 

Roll: 7

Landed on Paradise Pier (31)

Book: Twilight Eyes by Dean Koontz

 

 

Bank: $32.00

 

April 19th

 

 

Bonus $10 from The better to see you, my dear

Nice Luck! Thanks!

 

Roll: 8 (doubles)

Landed on the Ring square

Roll again: 11

Landed on Chance (25)

Reading: Beastly Bones

 

 

Bank: $22.00

 

April 15th

Roll: 8

Landed on Chance (8)

Book: City of Ember, Graphic Novel

144 pages = $2.00

 

 

Bank: $20.00

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554755/booklikes-opoly-status-update

"Read a book that involves a carnival"

 

 

Ok. I'm going with Twilight Eyes by Dean Koontz. Wish me luck...

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1557696/read-a-book-that-involves-a-carnival

Booklikes-opoly 4/25 Roll

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Rolled 7 and landed on

 

 

Deciding on a book...

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1557689/booklikes-opoly-4-25-roll

Hear ye, Hear ye: Booklikes-opoly Rules Change!

Reblogged from: Moonlight Reader

I am re-running this post this morning, to make sure I get maximum coverage! If you're playing Booklikes-opoly, note the rules change!

 

**************************************************************************************************************

 

I've entertained a request from a player to reconsider the "odd days are roll days" rule, and I think that JL makes a good point. The purpose of the rule is to slow down speed readers from rolling every day. However, if it takes a slower reader 3 days to finish a book, they aren't able to roll until day 4, which sort of defeats the purpose of the rule.

 

In light of this, I am making a rules change as follows:

 

Players can roll no more frequently than every other day.

 

Example: player rolls on Monday, but doesn't finish her book until Thursday - player can roll on Thursday, because Tuesday and Wednesday are non-roll days for the individual player. If player finishes the book she starts Thursday on Friday, she still can't roll until Saturday, because Friday is a non-roll day for the player.

 

In other words, players are now responsible for keeping track of their own roll days!

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1555320/hear-ye-hear-ye-booklikes-opoly-rules-change

Resistance series

Review:

 

 

This is a great middle-grade graphic novel series on the French resistance during World War II. Kids play their part and there is danger, but it is not overwhelming. My son brought this series home from his school library. He loved it and wanted to share it with me. I love when he does that!!

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1555180/resistance-series

Two teenage boys figuring out their identity and their friendship...

Review:

 

 

This is an amazing book that seems to truly understand the minds of teenage boys trying to navigate life. It appeals to both boys and girls who are trying to figure out their identity and their lives. Dante seems to know who he is from the beginning, but Aristotle (Ari) is constantly worrying about the fact that he doesn't know who he is or what he wants.

 

Some of the students in my class found Ari's angst to be more than a bit annoying, but I really enjoyed this book. I felt for Ari, even though, at times, I didn't really understand why he was so angry. Dante didn't always understand it either. However, I am certain I was just as confused and confusing as a teenager (especially to my mom). And now, I have my own teenage daughter. Her moods are more than a bit unpredictable and confusing; so now I know what my mother felt like.

 

I think teens, especially those questioning their sexuality, will enjoy this book.

 

Recommended to:

Grades 9-12, both boys and girls. 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1555020/two-teenage-boys-figuring-out-their-identity-and-their-friendship

Sisters sent to Sweden to escape WWII...

Review:

 

 

During World War II, many Jewish children were sent to other countries and placed with families to keep them safe. Stephie and Nellie were two of those children. They end up on a small island and with two different families. At first glance, Nellie is in the warm, loving family and Stephie ends up with a woman who doesn't seem to even like her. Stephie is holding on to the idea that their parents will join them and they will all go to America. 

 

This is a great story about two girls adjusting to their new life and dealing with bullying and prejudice. I felt so bad for Stephie. She is trying so hard, but she misses her old life and her parents so much. Her parents sent her and her sister away to save them from the Germans and their hatred. But, even in Sweden, they can't avoid it completely.

 

When Stephie finally reveals her pain to her foster mother (Aunt Marta), she finds that Aunt Marta is dealing with her own pain. They both realize they aren't alone and don't have to deal with everything on their own.

 

Recommended to:

Middle school ages, especially girls. Even though it's historical fiction, the problems the girls deal with are easily relatable. The book doesn't deal with the horrors of the concentration camps, but the way the war affects Stephie, Nellie, and their family.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1555015/sisters-sent-to-sweden-to-escape-wwii

Coach helps teen turn his life around...

Review:

 

 

Like, for me, the best way to describe it is, I got a lot of scream inside.

- Chapter 3

 

Castle Crenshaw is in the seventh grade and he is always in trouble, mostly fighting. He doesn't take any crap. But, he sees a team running track in the park, proves he can run faster, and the Coach asks him to join. Castle (nicknamed Ghost) runs fast because he needed to. One night his father chased his mother and him out of their apartment. His father had a gun and was shooting at them. So, Ghost doesn't have it easy, and he doesn't always make the right choices, but this team and more importantly, the Coach are his chance for a new direction.

 

This book is a quick read, written for middle-grade students. The character of Ghost seems real; he is angry, embarrassed by where he lives, and has no father figure. The Coach becomes an important part of his life, not just on the team, but in helping him to make better choices and do the right thing.

 

I read this book for my Multicultural lit class. 

 

Recommended to:

Readers in grades 6-8, especially boys.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554770/coach-helps-teen-turn-his-life-around

Booklikes-opoly status update

Bank: $32.00

 

April 19th

 

 

Bonus $10 from The better to see you, my dear

Nice Luck! Thanks!

 

 

Bank: $22.00

 

 

 

April 15th

Roll: 8

Book: City of Ember, Graphic Novel

144 pages = $2.00

 

 

Bank: $20.00

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554755/booklikes-opoly-status-update

Historical Mystery

 

 

 

 

 I've decided to go with a Jackaby sequel for my historical mystery. I really enjoyed the first book and have been planning to read more of them.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554491/historical-mystery

Booklikes-opoly 4/19 roll

 

 

 

 

 

April 19th

Roll: 8 (doubles)

(I know it says 4/20, but it's 4/19 11:05 eastern time here)

 

lands me on 

Read a book where someone gets married, with jewelry on the cover, or where any character is a millionaire/billionaire!

 

Doubles so I roll again: 11

Which lands me on:

 

From what I read in the Q&A discussion board, I think I can choose to just read a book from the final square if I want. So, that is what I plan to do. Not sure what book yet though.

 

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554483/booklikes-opoly-4-19-roll

City of Ember, Graphic Novel - Review

Review:

 

 

This is a great story made even better by the gorgeous artwork. I read the book a couple years ago but was never interested in the sequels. Now I find myself wondering what happens next. Maybe I will find the next book in graphic novel format too.

 

I read this as part of Booklikes-opoly as a book beginning with "C". Now that I'm finally finished, I guess I can roll again since it is still the 19th. :)

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1554466/city-of-ember-graphic-novel-review