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.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1246133/the-science-of-friendship

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.

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...

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.

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.)

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1241430/the-napkins-i-mean-eyes-of-the-dragon

Reading progress update: I've read 110 out of 336 pages.

 A moment later a nail imbeds itself in ******'s eye, and he drops to the floor like a stone.

Um..... What????
Where did that come from?
I mean, I knew something was coming, but really???

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1240815/reading-progress-update-i-ve-read-110-out-of-336-pages

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

Lovable dog story...

Review:

Dedication:

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 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.

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).

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1240808/lovable-dog-story