Pictures of Hollis Woods (book review)

Pictures of Hollis Woods, by Patricia Reilly Giff, is the story of twelve-year-old Hollis Woods. She's an orphan who lives with the elderly artist named Josie. She's doubtful at first, but they begin to form a bond. The only problem is, Josie is growing more forgetful every day, and if the people in charge of Hollis find out, they'll take the girl away. Hollis knows she and Josie have to run, but where will they go? And what if they find her? This is the extraordinary tale of a girl who risks it all to be with one of the few people she's ever loved.

Pictures of Hollis Woods is a story that's sad and happy at the same time. I loved the book, but I wasn't satisfied with the ending. It just didn't seem to go with the rest of the story, and to me, it seemed as if the author just wanted to finish up the book in a hurry. Still, I would definitely recommend this book.

Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars (book review)

Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars, by Sheri Holman, is the story of the young Korean princess named Sondok. She loves nothing more than stargazing, but her father won't allow it. So when a Chinese ambassador and his royal stargazers come to her father's palace, Sondok gets a few ideas of her own. But when she meets the ambassador, Sondok finds that he isn't at all the man she imagines. He's ruthless and cunning, and he hates her. It seems as though Sondok will have to put up with this man if she wants to follow her dreams. Will she hold on, or will she crack under the pressure her father and the ambassador are putting on her?

This is the second time I read this book, and I think I got a lot more out of it this time. It was a quick read, and it left me wanting to know the rest of Sondok's story at the end. Fortunately, although this is fiction, Sondok was a real person. I hope I can do some research and find out more about her.

Harry Potter series (book review)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling, is the story of eleven-year-old Harry Potter. He lives with his cruel aunt and uncle until a mysterious stranger arrives and tells Harry that he's a wizard! Now, Harry is whisked off to a magical school and a whole world of magic, danger, and adventure is opened up to him.

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry is excited to go back to his favorite place in the world, the magical school called Hogwarts. Then he receives a message by a strange creature warning him not to go this year. Harry ignores its warning and returns, only to find that someone is turning students to stone...and he is the main suspect! Harry's got to find out who's attacking everyone, or he and his friends might be the next victims!

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the story focuses on a criminal who escaped from the wizard prison of Azkaban, Sirius Black. Azkaban's guards heard Black muttering, "He's at Hogwarts...He's at Hogwarts..." and everyone seems to think Black is talking about Harry Potter! Now, the only place that was ever a home to him may be the most dangerous place yet, and a mysterious black dog called the Grim, which is a sign of early death, is following Harry everywhere. Could this year really be his last?

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the story of Harry's fourth year. After surviving an attempt by a dark wizard to take his life the previous year, Harry is ready to go back to Hogwarts. To his surprise, this year his school is sponsoring the infamous Triwizard Tournament! But his excitement changes to worry when his name appears in the cup, for students have been known to die in the tournament. Now, Harry has three dangerous tasks ahead of him, and a rift in his closest friendship doesn't help. On top of it all, there may be a traitor at the school. With the help of his friends, Harry is going to try and win the tournament, as well as uncover the traitor.

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry discovers a secret organization dedicated to fighting the Dark Lord, Voldemort. He is pained by disturbing dreams, and when he finally returns to Hogwarts, things don't get better. A cruel teacher is ready to take away one of Harry's favorite things at Hogwarts, and a bunch of expectant students want him to teach them to fight Voldemort. Harry knows that the Dark Lord will strike again soon, and he will be ready. But will he be ready for the death of one of his greatest friends and allies?

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry is still shaken by the death of his close friend. But yet another death, and a betrayal by one of the people Hogwarts trusted most will tear his life into even more pieces.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the final installment in this series. Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, are on a hunt for seven gruesome items called Horcruxes. If they destroy the Horcruxes, it will only be a matter of time before they can attack Voldemort. Then, a legend about three objects called the Deathly Hallows distracts Harry from his quest. If he can get the Hallows, he may be able to defeat Voldemort once and for all. But to what length will he go to gain them?

I loved all of these books (though my favorites were the third and fourth), and that's why I decided to read them all again. It was fun to be able to read them all at once this time, instead of having to wait for the new one to come out. I recommend them to anyone who hasn't already explored J.K. Rowling's magic, especially lovers of fantasy or adventure.

Star Split (book review)

Star Split, by Kathryn Lasky, is the story of thirteen-year-old Darci. She lives in a world powered by genetic engineering and the Bio Union. Darci happens to love rock climbing, but it will be this very thing that will change her life for the better or the worse. As Darci is relaxing on a rock face, she suddenly comes face-to-face with an umbula (clone) of herself! The umbula's name is Vivian, and they both soon realize that they can never, ever be seen together. However, soon both Darci's and Vivian's worlds are turned upside down, and each hour brings them closer to death.

I loved this book! It was a suspenseful thriller packed with science, and it made me want to find out more about the subject.

The Giver (book review)

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is the story of Jonas. His world is perfect...or so he thinks. There is no pain or suffering. Then, on the day he turns twelve and gets his Assignment, Jonas is singled out to receive training from an old man he comes to call the Giver. Now Jonas has to learn the truth about pain, death, and war. He cannot turn back, even if he wants to. This is his destiny, and he has to accept it.

This story was simple, yet explored many topics, including genetic engineering, euthenasia, and the power of emotion. Overall, it was a very moving book. I can't wait to read the sequel, Gathering Blue!

My two cents (genetic engineering)

I've decided to have a new feature on my blog. It's called "my two cents" and will feature essays about a variety of issues.


Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the process of moving genes from one organism to another. One example of genetic engineering is genetically modified food, which is made when the genes of one organism are moved to a plant species. This could be done to make crops more insect-resistant. Other examples include cloning, which is the process of creating a genetically identical organism, and gene therapy. Gene therapy involves implanting a desired gene in a virus. This virus is then injected into a sick individual in hopes that this gene will help them.

Genetic engineering is not in itself a good or a bad thing, as there are both positive and negative uses for this knowledge. For example, gene therapy is a positive use of genetic engineering. Genetically modifying food is another positive example. However, even this can have problems. For example, problems could arise when genetically modified crops manage to breed with wild species of plants.

The case of cloning is similar to that of genetically modified food. It can be good or bad. Stem cell research, a type of cloning, can be very helpful with research into cures for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases. Cloning whole organisms, on the other hand, upsets genetic diversity.

As is shown here, genetic engineering, like many other forms of new technology, can potentially be either helpful or harmful, depending on how it is used.

A Wrinkle In Time (book review)

A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L'Engle, is the story of Meg Murry, her little brother Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin O'Keefe. Meg has never been happy with herself. She has braces, glasses, and does horribly at school. Meg doesn't realize how smart she actually is. But Meg's life is about to change. In the middle of the night, a mysterious stranger bursts into Meg's house. Later, the stranger and her friends (who are actually fallen stars) take Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin on the journey of a lifetime as they travel through space to save Meg's missing father.

I love this book! This is actually the second time I've read it, and I think I gained even more from it this time. It is a moving science fiction tale about accepting one's faults, the harm pride and arrogance can do, and the power of love.

Little Fur: The Legend Begins (book review)

Little Fur: The Legend Begins, by Isobelle Carmody, is the story of Little Fur. She's half troll, half elf and as tall as a three-year-old child. Little Fur lives in a magical wilderness hidden within an ancient city, caring for small animals and for seven ancient trees called the Old Ones. But when news that her beloved trees are in danger reaches Little Fur, she and her animal friends decide to go on a dangerous quest into the human world to save them.

This book was filled with suspenseful chapter endings and cliffhangers. Little Fur is an unlikely heroine who's out not only to save her home, but also to prove that small creatures can do big things. I can't wait to read the sequel, Little Fur: A Fox Called Sorrow.

The Dark Is Rising (book review)

The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper, is the story of eleven-year-old Will. His life is pretty normal (at least, normal for a boy with nine siblings) until he discovers that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to protecting the world from the evil forces called the Dark. Will is plunged into a race for the six magical Signs that can save Earth from the Dark, but each step he takes, the mysterious and sinister Black Rider is on his tail. Will has twelve days to save his world. Will the Dark get there first?

This book was full of twists and turns in the plot. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as its prequel, Over Sea, Under Stone, but it was still a winner! The book was chilling and suspenseful, and I can't wait to read the next one, Greenwitch!

I didn't run fast enough and now I'm it!

Jean tagged me with this reading meme and now I have to do it!

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?

I don't really cringe away from any books. I'm willing to try just about anything!

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?

I would have a sleepover with Lyra (from The Golden Compass), Hermione (from the Harry Potter series), and Meg (from A Wrinkle In Time). These are three brave, intelligent girls who I'd like to get to know.


(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?

I've been lucky so far; I haven't found a book that would bore me to death!

Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?

I don't think I've ever done that, but I did pretend that I watched the Harry Potter movies a while ago when I'd really only read the books.

You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (If you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead and personalize the VIP).

I would recommend A Wrinkle In Time. It has a lot of important messages including the importance of self-esteem, the power of love, and accepting who you are.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?

I would pick Chinese or maybe Arabic.

A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?

I would pick the His Dark Materials trilogy (I know, it's three books, but they all go together!)

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?

I found a lot of new authors like Orson Scott Card that I might not have otherwise run across!


That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather-bound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favorite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.

My dream library would fill a Victorian mansion! One room would have a fireplace on each end and a huge chair so I could sit and read by the fire. The bookshelves would be the floor to ceiling kind, and I would use rolling ladders to reach certain books. This room would have all of my favorite books. There would be a tower overlooking a forest where I could just sit, read, and watch the wildlife all day! One room would be filled with nonfiction books and worktables with computers on them for research!

Tag 4 people for this meme...

I'm not sure if I know four new people to tag, but I'd love to hear what Melissa and Carl have to say! And hey, Dad, you should play too!

Over Sea, Under Stone (book review)

This book is also for the Full Circle Challenge.

Over Sea, Under Stone, by Susan Cooper, is the story of the three Drew children. One holiday in Cornwall, Barney, Simon, and Jane find themselves in a fantastical mansion called the Gray House. The Gray House, which belongs to their uncle Merry Lyon, is full of hidden doors and secret passages. As if by chance, the children stumble upon an old map. It is more special than they know. Their map is the key to finding a grail, a grail that can help them fight the forces of evil known as the Dark. However, there are some people (if you can even call them people) who are determined to find the grail and use it for Dark purposes. The three children have to beware, because the Dark is rising.

I loved the book's sense of adventure, suspense, and fantasy. It's relation to the story of King Arthur made it even more interesting. I'm already reading the next one in the series.

Terrier (book review)

Terrier, by Tamora Pierce, is the story of sixteen-year-old Beka Cooper. Beka has just joined the police force of Corus (capital city of the land of Tortall). This force is called the Dogs. Beka, as a Puppy, is assigned to the two famous senior Dogs, Clara Goodwin and Mattes Tunstall. She'll have to learn quickly, because she's assigned to the Lower City, a dark place filled with murderers, pickpockets, and drunks. As if Beka isn't busy enough, her eerie magic tells her that there two sinister plots are going on right under the Dogs' noses! It's up to Beka and her friends to make sure that the culprits are caught before it's too late.

I loved this book and I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out! It was neat how the book was a mix of thriller and fantasy. Beka's magic was also different and interesting, but you will have to read the book to see what I mean.

Island of the Aunts (Book review)

Island of the Aunts, by Eva Ibbotson, is the story of Aunt Myrtle, Aunt Coral, and Aunt Etta. They live on a small island caring for stranded sea animals...and not all of the creatures they care for are of this world...among their patients are mermaids, giant birds, and a stoorworm (a wingless sea dragon). But when these fantastical beasts get out of hand, the aunts kidnap dejected children to help them. Most of the children come to think of the Island as their new home. However, they never expected that they would have to guard the island with their lives, because when one rather unpleasant boy manages to contact his father and tell him the Island's secret, that is exactly what they will have to do.

This was a suspenseful story full of cliffhanger chapter endings. I was sad when it was over, and I can't wait to read more of Eva Ibbotson's books!

The Sea of Monsters (book review)

This book was also for the Full-Circle Challenge.

The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan, is the story of Perseus Jackson, thirteen-year-old demigod and son of Poisedon. The only place Percy and his friends feel safe is Camp Half-Blood, a magical camp where young demigods can go to train and learn. But the magical camp borders are failing, and Percy knows something is wrong. Along with his friends Annabeth and Tyson, Percy goes on a dangerous journey through the Sea of Monsters to find the only thing that can save the place he calls a second home.

I loved the relation to Ancient Greek mythology in this story. I also liked the way the characters' personalities varied according to who their parent god was. This series is full of adventure, fun, and humor, and I'll definitely be sad when this series is over!

Poppy and Rye (book review)

This is also the final book in my list for the Four-Legged Friends Challenge.

Poppy and Rye, by Avi, is the sequel toPoppy. In this book, Poppy, a young deer mouse, journeys through the vast Dimwood forest with her porcupine pal, Ereth. Poppy is heartbroken by her fiance Ragweed's death, and she is determined to tell Ragweed's parents the tragic news. However, upon arriving at the once peaceful Brook, she finds that the family has been forced to move up on top of a hill overlooking the Brook. A group of beavers have moved in and flooded their home! Though the family is devastated by the news, Rye, the family's eldest child, is determined to prove himself worthy of beautiful Poppy's love. He wants to do something about the beavers, something brave and daring. However, Rye finds himself a prisoner in the beavers' lodge! Poppy is determined to save Rye and get rid of the beavers once and for all. But will she give her own life to do it?

This was a book full of humor, romance, and adventure. The characters were unique, and also very complex. In the book, some characters appear one way on the outside, but are actually completely different on the inside. This has been a wonderful series so far!

Underworld (book review)

Underworld, by Catherine MacPhail, is the story of Fiona, Angie, Zesh, Axel, and Liam. They hate each other at school. They all believe things can't get any worse when they are picked for a school field trip to a remote Scottish island. However, things do get worse when they are all trapped in the labyrinth of caves under the island and their teacher is nearly killed. They must use their wits if they want to survive. And everyone has the feeling that something is watching them, because deep beneath the ground, something is stirring.

Underworld was a funny, spooky story that tells of five dejected teenagers with no friends and how being stuck with only each other to help them survive changes them in ways they don't yet know. It was also the story of a lost legend and a monster. I definitely enjoyed this one!

Ender's Game (book review)

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card, is the story of Andrew (Ender) Wiggin, a six-year-old boy taken from his home to join Battle School, a place where children practice fighting against fake enemies to prepare them for careers battling in space. Earth has been invaded twice before by alien, insect-like buggers, and it's preparing for the Third Invasion. All the commanders from the First and Second Invasions are too old to fight now, so who is going to take their place? Children.

Meanwhile, while Ender is training hard at Battle School, Ender's siblings, Valentine and Peter, are becoming two of the most well-known people in America. But their identities are kept a secret, and they are known only as Demosthenes and Locke. They have an important part to play in the battle that's going to take place on Earth.

Ender doesn't know it, but the world is counting on him to defeat the buggers. He is the commander of the force to fight the Third Invasion. Is Ender up to the challenge?

Ender's Game was a story with a complex plot and complex characters. It is now one of my all-time favorite books, and I can't wait to read the sequel!

Two more challenges

First, there's The Chunkster Challenge--2008 is being hosted by Dana. Here's my list for this challenge:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Sweet, Far Thing by Gemma Doyle

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

And then, there's the Reading Full Circle Challenge, which Joy is hosting. And here's my list for that one:

The Whispering Land by Gerald Durrell

The Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

Castles: Old Stone Poems by Lewis J. Patrick

The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

Tithe (book review)

Tithe, by Holly Black, is the story of Kaye--she's fierce, tough, and independent, and she travels with her mother's rock band. However, one day they are forced to go stay with Kaye's grandmother. Everything is fine until one night, at a party, strange things start happening. Kaye enchants a cute boy and makes a rocking horse come to life. Then, on her way home, she meets Roiben. He's a handsome faerie knight who's dying. However, with Kaye's help, Roiben is on his way again. But by helping Roiben, Kaye gets caught up in a conflict between two faerie courts, the Seelie and the Unseelie. Visited by her own faerie friends from her childhood, Kaye discovers a shocking secret--she too is faerie and she has her own important role to play in this battle.

This book wasn't my favorite, but I did enjoy it. I liked how these faeries seemed wild and fierce, instead of the calm, innocent versions of childhood stories. I'd like to read the sequel someday, but there are definitely other books I'd like to get to first.

Guardians of Ga'Hoole Book Nine: The First Collier (Book review)

(This book is also for the Four-Legged Friends Challenge.)

The First Collier, the ninth book in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky, is the story of Grank, an owl who serves the noble King H'rath and Queen Siv. It takes place in the midst of a bloody war between owls and hagsfiends (part crow/part owl creatures possessing natchmagen, or bad magic). Grank is gifted with firesight, which means that he can see visions in flames. But that won't help him when one day King H'rath is killed in battle. The hagsfiends want Siv's egg to use for their natchmagen, and Siv doesn't intend to let them have it. She leaves the egg to Grank and takes the hagsfiends on a wild goose chase in the far north while Grank flies the egg to an uninhabited, forested island to care for it. They both meet unlikely allies and enemies, and make important discoveries that could change the course of every owl's life.

I liked the story's complex characters and plot, and also the wide range of animals featured in it. There were not only owls and crow/owls, but also dire wolves, polar bears, and other birds. The end was a cliffhanger that left me wishing I had the next book!