Bob by Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead

Review:

 

Audience: Grades 3-5

Formate: Audiobook/Library Copy

 

 

I feel bad that I can't remember anything about Gran Nicholas's house.

- first sentence

 

Livy is practically 11, well... 10 & 1/2 (almost). She hasn't been to visit her Gran in Australia for five years. She has forgotten a lot of things: 1) A green stuffed elephant in overalls; 2) A net bag full of black chess pieces; 3) A clunky old tape recorder. But she also forgot something really, really important - Bob. 

 

Bob is a short, greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit. He's been hiding in a closet, waiting five years for Livy to return. She promised him she would help him figure out who he is and find his way home.

 

Together Bob & Livy will try to solve the clues, figure out where Bob comes from, and discover unforgettable magic. The story is told through Bob & Livy's points of view in alternating chapters. It's the story of an unusual friendship that can overcome almost anything.

 

This is a great story and I loved both Livy and Bob. He remembers their early friendship and at first, is upset with her for forgetting. Eventually, we understand why she forgot and it makes perfect sense. Bob's sense of humor is hysterical and a bit sarcastic - it's great. And I wasn't sure what Bob really was or where he belonged until the very end. Though there were clues, they were just beyond my frame of reference.

 

This is another great Sunshine State Award-nominated book, especially good for fans of magical realism, or talking "animals," or even fans of friendship stories. I've seen this book in the library, but I wasn't interested. I'm not sure why. I guess I thought it looked odd. I don't know what I was thinking. That's why they say, "never judge a book by its cover." I'm very glad this book was nominated or I might never have read it.

 

I highly recommend this book!

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1917225/bob-by-wendy-mass-rebecca-stead

Homeroom Diaries

Review:

Audience: Young Adult

Format: Hardcover/Owned

 

 

I'm starting over.

- First sentence

 

Margaret "Cuckoo" Clarke has just been released from a brief stay at a mental institution after she had an emotional breakdown. Now she's starting over with "Operation Happiness." Cuckoo and her friends (who call themselves the "Freakshow") are determined to bring the different factions of high school together and find a way for everyone to get along.

 

The illustrated diary style works well for this book. Cuckoo writes down her thoughts and feelings about high school life, along with illustrations. She also talks to literary characters in an attempt to figure out life. I think this book will appeal to teens and pre-teens, especially those who like the diary format. It's easy-to-read and tackles real-life situations. 

 

I read this for #3 School's Out for Summer

At 272 pages, it's worth  $3.00

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1914515/homeroom-diaries

The Jumbies

 

 

This book takes place in the Caribbean and is written by Tracey Baptiste who was born in Trinidad.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1914507/the-jumbies

Booklikes-opoly 7/3 roll

This is a bit delayed because of July 4th and schoolwork, and everything else in RL. I rolled on Wednesday the 3rd and it was a bit confusing, but I think I'm ready to post now.

 

Current Bank: $36.00

 

Including finished since my last BL-opoly post:

10 Beach Week - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch = $3.00

3 School's Out for Summer - Homeroom Diaries by James Patterson = $3.00

 

Regular Roll:

Moving 4 spaces takes me to Railroad 14: The Patagonia Star

 

First 4th of July bonus roll:

 

Moving 11 spaces takes me to 24 Booklikes Square (spin the Wheel Decide)

Spinning the Wheel gave me: Read a book that has been reviewed by one of the other players.

 

Second 4th of July bonus roll:

Moving 4 spaces takes me to:

                

 

In Jail, I rolled the dice to determine my bail

I deducted $5 from the bail fund and am now out of jail (hooray)!

 

 

Third 4th of July bonus roll (not sure if I take this after being in jail)

 

Moving 7 spaces takes me to: Mountain Cabin 16. (If I'm not supposed to roll again, I will delete this move.)

 

So here is my board with my confusing movements:

 

 

I'm still holding the Robot & the Scottie dog cards:

          

 

Now I need to pick books for:

RR 14 - Read a book set in Central or South America or by an author from any of those countries.

BL 24 - Read a book that has been reviewed by another player

Mountain Cabin 16 - Mystery/Suspense or title contains all the letters in the word CABIN

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1914161/booklikes-opoly-7-3-roll

Small Spaces

Review:

Audience: Middle Grade

Format: Audiobook/Library

 

 

October in East Evansburg, and the last warm sun of the year slanted red through the sugar maples.

- first sentence

 

I’ve seen Small Spaces on shelves, but I was never interested in reading it (I’m not even sure why). Turns out it is a scary story that involves ghosts, and that is right up my alley.

 

Ollie is a sixth-grader who loves books and uses reading to escape from a tragedy that she doesn’t want to think about. One day Ollie sees a strange woman about to throw a book into the river and she grabs the book and runs home. Ollie reads the book and is intrigued by the creepy story about making deals with a “smiling man” for a price. During a class field trip to Smoke Hollow farm, Ollie discovers the graves of the people from the story. On the drive home, the bus breaks down and the driver tells Ollie to “get moving before they come for the rest of you.” Ollie is confused but decides to trust her gut. She only manages to convince two kids to go with her. It seems like the scarecrows are closing in on them, but what do they want?

 

This book is great about questioning stereotypes. Ollie’s mom is a bold adventurer, her dad bakes and knits, and Coco is a pretty, feminine girl who also rock climbs. Ollie realizes that Coco doesn’t cry because she is weak, but because she feels things so strongly. Maybe crying isn't a weakness. Ollie is trying to hide from her feelings in books, but she realizes that she can’t hide forever. The scarecrows who chase the kids during the second half of the book must eventually be faced, just as Ollie must face her feelings about a tragic loss.

 

This is another Sunshine State nominated book (grades 6-8). I think kids who like scary books will really enjoy this one and it has a strong female lead, so even better.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1912937/small-spaces

The Adventurer's Guild

Review:

Audience: Middle Grade

Format: Audiobook/Library Copy

 

 

 

Though the world had ended long before Zed was born, this was still the scariest day of his life.

- first sentence

 

 

Zed and Brock are best friends and they live in Freestone, one of the last cities standing after the world fell to monsters. Zed is half-elf and he hopes to be picked for the Mages Guild. Brock, whose father is a merchant, expects to be picked for the Merchants Guild. But life doesn't always go as planned and the boys end up part of the Adventurer's Guild. The Adventurers are the last line of defense against the Dangers (otherworldly monsters) and the only ones who dare venture outside the walls of Freestone. Jett and Liza make up the remaining members of the apprentices who must spend the night outside the walls for their initiation.

 

This is a great first book in the series and I can't wait to read book two. Zed is a clumsy, funny hero with surprising powers. Brock is strong and thinks he has it all figured out, but ends up in a situation he hates but can't escape from. Liza is a noble who decides she wants to be whatever she decides and volunteers for the Adventurers. Jett is a dwarf and is strong inside and outside. 

 

I loved getting to know the characters and holding my breath when they were in danger. There is intrigue, danger, excitement, and loss in this book along with themes of friendship and what it means to be loyal. I can't wait to read book 2.

 

I think this is going to be a popular book in school this year.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1912274/the-adventurer-s-guild