Nightbooks - audiobook

Review:

Audience: Middle Grade

Format: Audiobook/Library

 

After his family had finally fallen asleep, Alex slung the backpack over his shoulder and snuck out of the apartment, easing the front door gently home so it didn't slam shut.

- first sentence

 

This is Hansel & Gretel reimagined in the most delightful way. Alex is a bright child with a fertile imagination who loves to write. He is lured into an apartment and kidnapped by a witch who forces him to tell her stories. He finds the whole situation difficult to believe because even though he loves scary stories, he doesn't believe in things like witches.

 

I loved this book. It was a bit scary, so make sure kids know what to expect. Young fans of scary stories will delight in cheering Alex on as he tries to find a way to defeat the witch and escape her magical apartment.

 

Recommended to fans of scary stories or fairytale retellings in grades 4 and up.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1944852/nightbooks-audiobook

Better than Carrots or Sticks

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Kindle/Owned

 

 

This book has some great material. I love the restorative practices for classroom management approach. The basic idea is to create a respectful classroom environment and teach students how to work through issues and resolve conflicts. Classrooms should be welcoming, constructive environments built on mutual respect and focused on encouraging student achievement.

 

The authors provide practical suggestions for how to implement the suggested practices and strategies. There is a lot of focus on building relationships: students to students & student to teacher.

 

This book is a must-read for any teacher - we must focus on developing compassion, relationship skills, and empathy in our students. We want them to learn more than just reading, writing & arithmetic (and tech skills). We want to help develop thoughtful, respectful, and intuitive adults.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1939778/better-than-carrots-or-sticks

Carmela Full of Wishes

Review:

Audience: Elementary

Format: Kindle/Owned

 

This picture book is too much for preschoolers and even kindergarteners. The themes of hope and perseverance are lost in a story that is hard for young children to follow or enjoy. The illustrations are well-done and the brother and sister's faces are very expressive. I think this book is meant to promote diversity and understanding. Maybe it could be used with older elementary children. I just found it a bit boring.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1937156/carmela-full-of-wishes

Review:

Audience: Middle Grade

Format: Hardcover/Library Copy

 

Corinne La Mer's heart beat like wild drums as she ran through the forest.

- first sentence

 

 

The Jumbies takes place on a Caribbean island and is based on Caribbean fairy tales. Everyone in the village avoids the forest, but Corinne doesn’t believe in the fairy tales about jumbies and she isn’t scared. Corinne’s mother died when she was four and she and her father have taken care of each other ever since. One day, a strange and beautiful woman appears in the market and again later at Corinne’s house. Her name is Severine and while Corinne’s father likes her, Corinne senses something is not quite right with Severine. Corinne and her friends will have to gather all of their courage and work together (despite their differences) to save her father and the island from Severine and the jumbies.
Before I started reading, I looked for some background on the book. First to check where the story takes place and then to find out what jumbies are. I found an article about the book that specified some of the types of jumbies: douens (small creatures that lure children into the forest), soucouyant (old ladies who shed their skin and suck your blood), and lagahoo (a kind of wolf-man). So, when I came upon these creatures in the story, I had some idea of what they were. But Baptiste does a fantastic job of describing them in the story so I would have understood even without the background knowledge. I did come across a word in italics, used several times: chups. It was used along with the phrase “sucked her teeth.” Even using text clues, I wasn’t sure exactly what it meant, so I Googled it. Chups means to suck one’s teeth in disgust or as a sign of disrespect. I’m glad I looked it up because it added another layer of meaning.
There are a lot of hints in the book about who Corrine’s mom was and how it pertains to Severine. I had an idea what the truth was, but I was also excited to watch Corrine discover the truth. Corrine is a strong, clever, brave girl and a great role model for young girls. In the article about the book, Baptiste talks about how much she loved fairy tales as a kid but how she never saw herself in the books. I think it’s fantastic that she wrote this book (and the series) so that young girls like her can see themselves in her books and relate to them.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1937150/post

Christine

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook/Owned

 

This is the story of a lover's triangle, I suppose you'd say -- Arnie Cunningham, Leigh Cabot, and, of course, Christine.

- First sentence

 

What is there to say that hasn't been said before? This is not one of my favorite King books, but the narrator is good and I did enjoy listening to Dennis' point of view. As other reviewers have said, the middle of the book, which is narrated in the third person, is just not as good. 

 

I just watched the movie (again), and while it is campy and more than a bit dated, it might just be better overall than the book. 

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1936741/christine