The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce (book review)

The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce is a Dear America book written by Kathryn Lasky. It is the story of a young orphan who comes to America as an indentured servant on the Mayflower. Jasper is exposed to a whole new world full of "savages", strange beasts, and hidden worlds. When two boys threaten Jasper after he bravely stops their duel in the village, he has no choice but to run away into the wild. Jasper is taken in by the Native Americans as one of their own, but he dreads the day when they must return him back to the village.

This was one of the best Dear America books I have read. The plot was interesting and you never knew what adventure Jasper was going to run into next!

I give this book 8.5 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 30 books down, 0 to go!

The Gatehouse Mystery (book review)

The Gatehouse Mystery, by Julie Campbell, is the third in the Trixie Belden series. In this book, Trixie and her rich friend Honey explore a gatehouse on the edge of the woods. They expect to find nothing more than a few bugs, so imagine their surprise when they find a diamond! Should Trixie and Honey keep the diamond a secret and solve the mystery, or should they turn it over to the police? And how did the diamond get there to start with?

This was the least interesting of the Trixie Belden books I've read so far, partly because I figured out the mystery early in the story. The plot was uninteresting and it wasn't full of twists and turns like #1 and #2.

I give this book 6 out of 10 stars.


The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 29 books down, 1 to go!

Tai Shan of the Dead (book review)

Tai Shan of the Dead was an action-packed story by Jean Lightner Norum. She is my dad's cousin and she wrote this book for the National Novel Writing Month. She really should get it published! It was a great story!

The 4 beginning chapters focused on the different people involved--the teachers, the students, the Chinese, and the terrorists. And the story unfolds from there. The terrorists are planning on attacking the giant panda habitats in zoos across the country. This is disastrous not only because of the deaths of the pandas, but also because the Chinese have a secret: they have stored dormant copies of the virus that has the potential to turn people into zombies. When the pandas' bodies are blown up, people close to them are exposed to the virus, and this has devastating results on the country!

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars!

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 28 books down, 2 to go.

Winter of Red Snow (book review)

Winter of Red Snow is a historical novel by Kristiana Gregory. The book is written like a diary. It's fictional, of course, but it does give you a lot of information. The girl who "wrote" this diary, Abigail Stewart, lives in colonial Valley Forge. She meets the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, George Washington, and she sees first hand the strife of the Continental soldiers. Abigail wants to help, but with the approaching winter, a new baby, and a disappearance in town, is there enough time?

This story was OK, but not one of the better Dear America books I've read. The characters were a mix of real people and fictional characters, which made it rather interesting.

I give this book 6 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 27 books down, 3 to go.

Drowned Wednesday (book review)

Drowned Wednesday, by Garth Nix, was a fantasy story, the third in its series. In this novel, Arthur Penhaligon and his pal Leaf get swept away from the hospital to a strange world called the House. The House is not new to Arthur--he has defeated two of the treacherous Morrow Days here during the past two days (House time is different than ours). Now on the third day, he must face drowned Wednesday. When Leaf gets swept away on the Border Sea and onto the ship of the pirate Feverfew, Arthur and his friend from the House, Suzy Blue, have to rescue her. Luckily, the Will is in the same place as Feverfew's hideout. Little do Arthur and Suzy know that their destination is inside Drowned Wednesday herself!

This book was the least interesting of the series so far. However, it ended in a cliffhanger, making me want to buy the next one! The characters were well developed and interesting, but there were so many that it was hard to remember who was who sometimes!

I give this book 7 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 26 books down, 4 to go.

Dragon: Hound of Honor (book review)

Dragon: Hound of Honor, is a historical mystery by Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton. The book is set in medieval France, where an inexplicable murder has just occurred. The valiant knight Aubrey de Montdidier, found in the woods near the castle, has been stabbed to death. Together with Aubrey's friend, Sier de NarSac, and a glorious white wolfhound called Dragon, the young page Thierry is determined to solve the crime. But it will be Dragon who, bit by bit, pieces the clues together to solve this shocking mystery.

The story was modeled after the legend of the Dog of Montargis. It was well written and suspenseful. The characters were interesting and well-developed and a few were simply put in the story to serve as red herrings! Dragon was a fast read, but it was a great story.

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 25 books down, 5 to go.

Diary of a Young Girl (book review)

Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank, is her actual diary and the events it holds are real. Anne wrote the diary during the time of World War II. Her family was in hiding from the Nazis. Along with her family in hiding were some neighbors and a dentist, and there was a lot of conflict between everyone. Ann lived an extremely hard life.

The diary was certainly sad. She fought with the others a lot in hiding and the diary sometimes held unpleasant thoughts about them. It must have been an extremely difficult way to live. If what you wish is to know more about World War II and get the inside story on witnesses' lives, the diary is a must-read.

I give this book 9.5 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 24 books down, 6 to go.

Girl in Blue (book review)

Girl in Blue is a historical novel by Ann Rinaldi. In this story, 16-year-old Sarah Louisa works hard on her family's farm. She is skilled in shooting, swimming, and riding horses. When Sarah learns that she is going to be married off to her dirty and unkind neighbor, she runs away to join the army, pretending to be a boy. But once her secret is discovered, there is nowhere Sarah can run...that is, until her commander finds her a job as a detective. Soon, Sarah finds herself drawn into a web of romance, suspicion, and treachery.

This was one of Ann Rinaldi's best books. You get to know most of the characters very well, but just when you think you know all their secrets, they change...sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. The plot was interesting and suspenseful and never leaves you feeling bored!

I give this book 8 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 23 books down, 7 to go.

The Call of the Wild (book review)

The Call of the Wild, by Jack London, is a sad story of survival. Buck is a happy shepard-St. Bernard mix who lives in Santa Clara, California, with a kind owner by the name of Judge Miller. But then, he is kidnapped by the gardener's assistant and sent to be a sled dog in the North during the Klondike gold rush. He meets many dogs who are more unfortunate than he, but he also faces many hardships himself. A man in a red sweater beats him cruelly and makes him realize that not all people are like Judge Miller. Buck meets many people with many different personalities, but it is ultimately their brutality that makes him choose the destiny he does... Buck is heading into the wild.

This was a very well written story, and a very sad one too. Someone died in almost every chapter, and nearly all of them were dogs. The character of Buck was very well-developed, but the other characters passed out of his life very quickly. The book was a great one and it made me thankful that I wasn't a dog living during that time.

I give this book 8.5 out of 10 stars.

The Lord of the Rings Part Three: The Return of the King (book review)

The Return of the King, by JRR Tolkien, is the final book in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. In this book, the hobbits Frodo and Sam, take the final step to destroy the treacherous Ring of Power. But it has been a hard journey littered by perils, and Frodo has begun to despair. Can Sam keep their hopes up long enough to complete their journey?

Far away, their hobbit friends Merry and Pippin are fighting a battle of their own. They fight to destroy the power of the evil wizard Saruman. But there is danger at every turn! Will Merry and Pippin live to see the day when Frodo and Sam return?

This book was my least favorite of the series, but it was still a great book! I'm sad to be finishing the series, but I can always read them again. The characters were all very well developed, but there were so many that I sometimes had a hard time keeping track of them!

I give this book 8.5 out of 10 stars!


The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 15 books down, 0 to go! I finished!

My list:
1. The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon (library book)
2. The Lord of the Rings-Part Two-The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. The Lord of the Rings-Part Three-The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
4. Septimus Heap-Book One-Magyk by Angie Sage
5. Children of the Lamp by P.B. Kerr
6. The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects by Michael Buckley
7. The Book without Words by Avi
8. A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
9. Ragweed by Avi
10. Poppy by Avi
11. Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins
12. Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep by Liz Kessler
13. Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Spirit Walker by Michelle Paver
14. The Chronicles of Prydain: The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
15. His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Children of the Lamp: The Akhenaten Adventure (book review)

The Akhenaten Adventure, by PB Kerr, is the story of twelve-year-old twins John and Phillipa Gaunt, who one day discover that they are djinn, and have the power to grant wishes, turn into animals, and other amazing things. Luckily for them, they are introduced to Nimrod, their strange djinn-uncle. He helps them harness their powers and is soon leading them on an adventure through Egypt to discover the tomb of the long lost pharoah Akhenaten. The twins will face cobras, scorpions, possessed humans, and also the most evil djinn in the universe, Iblis. Will they live to see another adventure?

This was a great story. It went along at a fast pace, and there were surprises everywhere! The characters weren't as well developed as they could have been though, but that was the only bad thing about this book!

I give this book 8 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 14 books down, 1 to go!

Poppy (book review)

Poppy is the second book in the Poppy series by Avi. In this story, a young deer mouse named Poppy meets the headstrong traveler Ragweed, who has just arrived in Dimwood forest from the city. Ragweed and Poppy immediately fall in love, and Ragweed asks Poppy out to a dance on Bannock Hill. But the evil ruler of Dimwood, a horned owl named Mr. Ocax, doesn't give them permission to go out on the hill. To get revenge, he kills Ragweed and nearly kills Poppy. After this encounter, something stirs within Poppy. The mice of Dimwood forest have lived under Ocax's evil rule for too long! It's time to do something. To show she cares, Poppy teams up with a very unlikely companion and heads out to do what's right.

This story was suspenseful and interesting. You always had to know what was going to happen next! It was also funny. Poppy is a well developed character, as are the others in the story. They all vary greatly. The plot was interesting and unpredictable.

I give this book 8.5 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 13 books down, 2 to books to go.

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods (book review)

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods, by Suzanne Collins, is the story of 11-year-old Gregor and his 2-year-old sister Boots. Gregor has stumbled on a land below the surface of the Earth, where humans live together with giant rats, mice, bats, spiders, cockroaches, ants and lizards. It is Gregor's third journey to this world called the Underland. He is the chosen one, the warrior, who has saved the Underland twice before because of a prophecy. Now, he is back, with his sister Boots, the Overland princess, to stop a mysterious plague from spreading throughout the Underland. He must face enemies, monsters, and the shocking truth of the plague so that he can save the Underland... as well as his closest friends.

This is one of my favorite series! And I cannot wait to read the fourth book!

I give this book 8.5 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 12 books down, 3 to go!

Emily Windsnap & the Monster from the Deep (book review)

Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep is a fantasy story by Liz Kessler. Emily Windsnap has always felt alone in the world; she is half mermaid and half human. When on land, she's human, in the water, she's a mermaid. During her old life on the pier, she felt lonely living with humans. Now, on the magical Allpoints Island, a safe haven for mermaids, she feels like an outcast. All she wants is to show her mermaid friends that she is just as good as they are. Instead, she wakes up the bloodthirsty kraken, an octopus-like monster who is only supposed to be woken every hundred years. Now, eight years before the next scheduled awakening, the kraken is angry for revenge. The only way the mermaids can bring peace is to give the kraken the person who woke it up. Can Emily find a way to fix this mess?

This was a super fast read...I read it in one sitting. The characters were interesting and very different from one another. I think it would be fun to meet most of them--if they were real, of course! It was a fun read, as was the first in the series, and I'm definitely going to get the rest!

I give this book 8 out of 10 stars.


The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 11 books down, 4 to go.

The Book of Three : Book One of the Chronicles of Prydain(book review)

The Book of Three is a fantasy story by Lloyd Alexander. In the village of Caer Dallben, Assistant Pig-Keeper Taran dreams of doing something heroic. Instead he looks after a pig, though his charge is Hen Wen, Prydain's one and only oracular pig. When Hen Wen runs away, Taran gets his chance to be a hero. But he finds himself lost in the dark woods. And with the dreaded Horned King on the loose and the lord of Annuvin, land of the dead, gathering evil forces, Taran finds that it isn't easy to be a hero.


I didn't really like this book. Although it contained interesting characters, the book overall lacked a lot of action and failed to pull me in. I don't think I'll read the next books in the series.

I give this book 5 out of 10 stars.


The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 10 books down, 5 to go.

Twinkling Fire

by Annie (age 10)

Twinkling fire in my eye
Twinkling fire in the sky

Twinkling fire, a mischievous glint
Twinkling fire, a sun distant

Twinkling fire, what do you ask?
Twinkling fire, what is your task?

Twinkling fire of death and despair?
Or twinkling fire of joy to be shared?

A Wind in the Door (book review)

A Wind in the Door, by Madeleine L'Engle, is the sequel to A Wrinkle in Time. In this story, Meg Murry is afraid for her brother Charles Wallace. He is being bullied by the other first-graders at his school, and he has also fallen prey to a strange disease called mitochondritis. To save him, Meg and her friend Calvin O'Keefe must go inside one of Charles Wallace's mitochondria to stop an evil entity called Echthroi from destroying Charles Wallace...as well as the world. But they are not alone on their quest- accompanying them are the cherubim Proginoskes, a tall, dark man named Blajeny, a mysterious snake named Louise the Larger, Meg and Calvin's former teacher Mr. Jenkins, and one of Charles Wallace's very own farandolae, Sporos. Can they all save Charles together?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was definitely as wonderful as Wrinkle in Time, and I can't wait to read the next one, A Swiftly Tilting Planet. Thanks Jean!

I give this book 10 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 9 books down, 6 to go.

Charlie Bone-first 3 books in series (book review)

Midnight for Charlie Bone, by Jenny Nimmo is the story of a boy who discovers that he has magical powers--he can hear people talking in photographs and he can also go inside the photographs. Charlie is dismayed and wishes more than anything that he had no powers, but his evil Yewbeam aunts are delighted. They send him to Bloor's Academy for Gifted Children, where he discovers that some of his classmates' powers are equally mysterious. Soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the past of one of these classmates, the mysterious Emilia Moon.

In Charlie Bone and the Time Twister, Charlie and his friends discover a boy who has traveled through time from the icy winter of 1916. His name is Henry Yewbeam, and he needs the help of Charlie and his friends to return home. But things are not what they seem. Not only is something is haunting the tower of Bloor's where they have hid Henry, but there are also people after him. One of Charlie's own friends turns out to be a spy, so who can he trust?

In Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy, Charlie and his friend Emma Tolly discover an invisible boy in the attic of Bloor's. His name is Ollie Sparks, and he needs help to find his long-lost brother, who is also hiding. A mysterious new student has arrived at Bloor's, and strange things seem to be going on to the people she hangs out with. Can she have something to do with Ollie? Can she help him? Will she?

I loved reading these books and I can't wait for the next ones! They're fast readers, but great ones! Like many of my Spring Reading Thing books, they also could have gone on my Once Upon a Time Challenge list.

I give all of these books 8.5 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 22 books down, 8 to go.

Magyk (book review)

Magyk is a suspenseful fantasy story by Angie Sage. In this story, Silas and Sarah Heap are celebrating the arrival of their seventh son, Septimus Heap. Septimus is special and Magykal, as he is the seventh son of the seventh son. When Septimus is taken from them by the Matron Midwife, a servant of the dark and powerful wizard, DomDaniel, the Necromancer, Silas and Sarah lament. But then a baby girl is found in the woods. The Heaps take her in and name her Jenna. But this girl holds a dark secret...a secret that, ten years later, will send Silas to a place he never imagined he would ever have to go, with people he never thought he'd meet, on a mission he never thought he would embark on. Is Jenna the key to finding Septimus and restoring peace?

It took me five days to read this book, but I enjoyed every minute of it! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I give this book 10 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 8 books down, 7 to go.

Ragweed (book review)

Ragweed is a fantasy story by Avi, the first in the Poppy series. Ragweed is a young mouse who leaves his home early to explore the world. He heads to the big city, where he meets a bunch of city mice--Clutch the guitar playing, skateboarding mouse and her band, Lugnut and Dipstick, as well as the mysterious albino Blinker. Blinker's previous life still haunts him. He was formerly kept in a cage in a human home. The human wasn't so bad, but this home was also inhabited by the evil feline Silversides. Now Silversides and her pal Graybar are back, and determined to destroy the mouse population. Can Ragweed, Clutch, Dipstick, Lugnut,and Blinker save the day?

I really enjoyed this story. It was a fast read, but Ragweed was action-packed and suspenseful!

I give this book 10 out of 10 stars.


The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 7 books down, 8 to go.

The Little People: Stories of Fairies, Pixies, and Other Small Folk (book review)

Little People is a collection of fairy stories translated by Neil Philips. (He also wrote short descriptions and explanations about the stories throughout the book.) Each of the six chapters contains a collection of stories from around Europe. There are stories from France, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Holland, and many other places. It was very interesting to see how the stories and fairies differ in each country.

This book was very interesting. The author talks about each story in a descriptive voice and he translates the stories in a way that is easy to understand.

I give this book 9 out of 10.


The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 18 books down, 12 to go.

Clara Barton and the American Red Cross (book review)

Clara Barton and the American Red Cross, written by Eve Marko, tells the story of Clara Barton and how she founded the American Red Cross. Clara started her nursing career with her own pets. She then went on to nurse her sick brother and finally to nursing soldiers in the Civil War! When Clara went to Europe for vacation, she heard about the International Red Cross. Thinking about how wonderful this would be in America, she headed back home and persuaded the president to join. And now, we are not only part of the International Red Cross, but we also have the American Red Cross as well, all thanks to Clara Barton!

This was a really good book, and it made me want to learn more about Clara Barton! It was a fast read and didn't go into that much detail, but I still enjoyed reading it!

This book gets 8.5 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 17 books down, 13 to go.

Just Jane (book review)

Just Jane is a historical novel by William Lavender. As the story begins, Lady Jane Prentice is newly arrived in the American Colonies from England. She keeps hearing about some sort of problem going on between England and the Colonies, but everyone she asks is elusive. Jane feels they're hiding something from her. When her own family splits into two sides, Jane must face a huge choice: is she still a daughter of England or is she an American now?

This is a wonderful story, and I didn't want it to end. I think I'd like to read others in this series (entitled Great Episodes).

I give this book 10 out of 10 stars.

(This book was read for school, not for one of the challenges.)

One For Sorrow, Two For Joy (book review)

One For Sorrow, Two For Joy is a fantasy story by Clive Woodall. In the story, a brave robin named Kirrick is standing up against the evil magpies. He is trying to find a way to destroy their rule in the bird kingdom. He is not without allies--his mate Portia, who is also a robin, Darreal the red kite, Tomar and Isidris the snowy owls, Kraken the gull, and Storne the golden eagle are all on his side. And little do the birds know it, but the creature they fear and hate most--Man, is going to pay a vital part in destroying the magpies' rule.

This book was very good, but GORY! Apparently the magpies like inflicting pain...seriously, you don't want hear more. The book would be perfect if not for the gore! Yuck!

I give this book 7 out of 10 stars.


The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 16 books down, 14 to go.

The Naked Mole Rat Letters (book review)

The Naked Mole-Rat Letters is a coming of age story by Mary Amato.

In this story, Francine is a twelve-year-old girl who, after suffering when her mother died, learns that her father is talking to another girl online! Her name: Ayanna Bayo. She is a Kenyan biologist studying naked mole-rats. In secret, Frankie sends her a series of e-mails warning her to stay away! But Frankie is so caught up in e-mailing Ratlady, as she calls Ayanna, that she forgets the more important things in life, such as friends and family.

This is a very good story, but a sort of strange one. I enjoyed it, though it was somewhat sad.

I give this book 7 out of 10 stars.


The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 15 books down, 15 to go! Half-way there!

The Nancy Drew Files (book review)

The Nancy Drew Files by Carolyn Keene is actually three books in one: The Wrong Chemistry, Out of Bounds, and Flirting With Danger.

In The Wrong Chemistry, Nancy Drew, female detective, goes undercover at a college to investigate the disappearance of a possibly dangerous chemical. But it's clear someone doesn't want her there. Will Nancy pull through and solve this mystery?

In Out of Bounds, Nancy and her friends investigate the strange behavior of some professional football players. Are they just worn out, or is something more going on?

In the final story, Flirting with Danger, a rich movie star's daughter is kidnapped. Nancy discovers some secrets about the girl's past that were best left undiscovered...

All three of these books were suspensful, funny, and frightening. I loved them, and I can't wait to read more Nancy Drew books!

All three of these books were 9 out of 10.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 14 books down, 16 to go.

Shiva's Fire (book review)

Shiva's Fire is by Suzanne Fisher Staples. It tells the story of Parvati, a little Indian girl who is one with nature. Her destiny is to become a devadasi, a legendary dancer. Or at least this is what she believes, until she meets a kind boy who captures her heart. Parvati is faced with a choice: should she continue dancing or run off with this gentle-eyed boy? Through this choice, Parvati will discover that destiny can be elusive.

This book started out being somewhat slow and maybe even a bit boring, but it got better as it went along. Overall, not one of the best books I've ever read, but I did enjoy it.

I give this book 7 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 11 books down, 19 to go.

Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man (book review)

Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man is by Wendelin Van Draanen. Sammy Keyes is a twelve-year-old detective. Her Grams is always warning her not to look for trouble, but it seems like trouble is always looking for her. When Sammy and her friends Marissa and Dot go trick-or-treating, trouble knocks on her door. Well, actually, Sammy knocks on trouble's door. She does something no 7th Grader has done before. She knocks on the door of the Bush House. As if the spooky old mansion surrounded by bushes isn't scary enough on its own, it's even creepier once Sammy and her friends discover a skeleton and Frankenstein hiding inside! Something is definitely going on here, and Sammy is determined to find out what.

I really enjoyed this book. It was suspenseful, scary, and funny. This is the third Sammy Keyes book I've read, and I've enjoyed every one of them.

I give this book 8 stars out of 10.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 10 books down, 20 to go. Yeah...1/3 of the way there!

Pendragon Book 5: Black Water (book review)

Black Water, by DJ MacHale, is the 5th book in the exciting series, Pendragon. In the story, 15-year-old Bobby Pendragon travels through a magical portal to the jungle world of Eelong to save it from destruction. Eelong is the 5th territory of Halla, the universe. And it is Bobby's job to save it, because he was born as a Traveler, someone destined to protect Halla from evil. On Eelong, the jungle territory, a group of cat people rules supreme over humans. But an evil demon is about to turn things topsy-turvy on Eelong and lead it to destruction by spreading an awful plague. Only Bobby and his friends can stop him, but if they choose to save Eelong, their choice might destroy every other being in Halla.


This was a very good story, as are all the others in this series! I can't wait to read the next one!


I give this book 9.5 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 9 books down, 21 to go.

Blue Jasmine (book review)

Blue Jasmine is a captivating life story by Kashmira Sheth. It tells the tale of twelve-year-old Seema Trivedi, an Indian girl moving to a new home far away from her relatives. She is moving to America. Seema meets friends and enemies and discovers many surprises in this new country, but the biggest surprise of all will be at her old home in India, the very place she never imagined she would see again.

This was a really good story, the kind of book you don't find very often. It was very interesting and very sad, too. It makes you wonder how you would feel going to a new country far, far away with different customs and traditions.

This book was a 10 out of 10, definitely!

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 8 books down, 22 to go.

Swordbird (book review)

Swordbird is a fantasy by twelve-year-old author Nancy Yi Fan. It is the story of a war between the cardinals and the bluejays of Stone-Run Forest. Legend has it that only Wind-Voice, a dove with great powers and a flashing sword, can restore the peace. But can Wind-Voice come in time to save the forest's birds?

I really liked this story! It was a fast read, but a really good one. The only problem that I had with the story was that it was woven together a little bit fast. Overall, I'd have to say that it was a really great story though.

I give this book a nine out of ten!

(This wasn't for one of the reading challenges.)

The Worst Hard Time (book review)

The Worst Hard Time is an amazing book by Timothy Egan that tells the story of the people who survived the Dust Bowl. This book even won the National Book Award! I can certainly understand why. (My grandpa lent this book to me, and I can see why he liked it so much!)

The Dust Bowl was a series of terrible dust storms that caused many people to suffocate or die from diseases like dust pneumonia and laryngitis. It swept through the mid-west during the Great Depression, which was already causing great suffering. The story is told in three parts: the first part tells how the mid-west flourished during the Roaring 20s, the next talks about the Depression and about when the dust storms began, and the final part tells the tale of the worst of the dust storms, as well as about the beginning of the end of this terrible time. This deeply moving story makes me thankful I didn't live through those frightening times!

This is definitely a 10 out of 10!

Non-Fiction Five Reading Challenge: 1 book down, 4 to go.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 7 books down, 23 to go.

Reptile

by Annie (age 10)

I feel the morning sun shining on my face,
I open up and welcome it.

It makes my body feel whole,
With warmth spreading down to my tail.

But I crawl away from the midday sun,
(and come out when it is setting),

Because it is not kind and gentle like the morning sun,
It burns and scratches me 'till I leave.

I am a reptile.

The Golden Compass (book review)

The Golden Compass is a fantasy story by Philip Pullman. The story takes place in a parallel world where every human is accompanied by a daemon, a creature in the form of an animal. A daemon can shapeshift until you grow up, when it takes its final form. The main character is Lyra Belacqua, with her daemon Pantalaimon. She roams Jordan College as an orphan, until the sinister villian Mrs. Coulter captures her heart. When Lyra learns Mrs. Coulter's terrible secret, she runs away to the North, accompanied by some unusual companions, and Pantalaimon, of course. What she doesn't know is that she alone is destined to save her world.

I really enjoyed this book! I was sucked right in, imagining I was living in Lyra's world. I can't wait to read the next one in the series!

I give this book a 10 out of 10!

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 6 books down, 9 to go.

By the way, I found out just yesterday that this book is being made into a movie. Hooray! And they have a website where you can take a quiz and find out about your own personal daemon. Here's mine:

Time Cat (book review)

Time Cat was written by Lloyd Alexander.

Jason isn't surprised at all when his cat Gareth speaks to him. He was sure Gareth could if he tried. However, he is surprised when he learns Gareth's secret: he can travel to any time and any place in the world! So Gareth takes Jason on an around the world adventure, with the surprises never ending!

It was a very fast read, but a good one! It's funny, scary, and educational!

I give this book 9.5 out of 10 stars!

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 6 books down, 24 to go.

The Lord of the Rings Part Two: The Two Towers (book review)

The Two Towers is the second book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, by JRR Tolkien. It took me almost a week to read, but it was very good and I had a hard time putting it down.

In this book, Frodo is a poor hobbit with the Ring of Power, an evil weapon which, as its name describes, holds great powers. He knows he must destroy this weapon by bringing it to Mordor, a dark land where the evil lord Sauron rules. But it is a hard journey, and along with his faithful companion Sam, Frodo must put his trust in the dark Gollum, a creature possessed by the Ring's power.

I give this book 10 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 5 books down, 10 to go.

Spirit Walker (book review)

Spirit Walker is a fantasy by Michelle Paver. It's the second one in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, following Wolf Brother.

In the story, Torak a thirteen-year-old outcast from the Wolf Clan, is living with the Raven Clan. After killing a demon bear that was destroying the Forest, he is a hero amongst them. But Torak is destined to fight another evil, this time a demon child. His hunt takes him across the Sea, to the islands of the Seal Clan. There he discovers secrets that will change his life forever.

I thought this book was well-written and a good read. It was suspenseful and hard to put down. In my opinion, it was much better than the first one, Wolf Brother.

I give this book 10 out of 10 stars (finally!).

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 4 down, 11 to go.

Yet another reading challenge!

The Newbery Challenge is being hosted by Nattie Writes. This should be any easy one to complete!

Here's my list:

1. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
2. Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes (re-read)
3. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
4. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
5. The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
6. Sounder by William H. Armstron
7. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
8. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

The Book without Words (book review)

The Book without Words is a fantasy by Avi. In this story, Master Thorston is a powerful alchemist who is about to make the stones of life, which will let him achieve immortality. But when he falls to his death and swallows a stone, the only heirs to Thorston's magic are his servant girl named Sybil and Odo, Thorston's talking raven. However, when they can't read his Book without Words, they are faced with a choice: get thrown into the street or find out how to read Thorston's book and make gold to save themselves.

I really enjoyed this story, though I have read books by Avi, such as The Good Dog and Poppy and Rye, that I liked even more. If you try this book, I hope you will enjoy it just as much as I did!

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 3 down, 12 to go.

Ocean Joys

Ocean Joys
by Annie (age 10)

Ocean waves
Devour the sand
Leaving their own gifts in return
of shiny stones and shells.

A pair of cormorants
Flies across the ocean blue
Snapping at the fish,
and chittering in joy.

A young boy holds a shining stone.
The sun glints off its face.
He listens to the sea in a shell
waves lapping at his ears.

Another day has passed by.
The blue sky fades away.
The sea grass waves in the wind.
Another day awaits.

another reading challenge...hooray!

After much careful deliberation, Annie has chosen her books for the Non-Fiction Five Reading Challenge. (Unlike her mom, she will probably actually finish all these challenges. And she writes much better reviews to boot!)

1. The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan (also on her Spring Reading Thing list)
2. The Cat's Mind: Understanding Your Cat's Behavior by Dr. Bruce Fogle
3. Wolf Country: Eleven Years Tracking the Algonquin Wolves by John B. Theberge with Mary T. Theberge
4. Mysteries of History by Robert Steward, Ph.D.
5. The New Big Book of U.S. Presidents by Marc Frey and Todd Davis

Indian Captive (book review)

Indian Captive is the true story of Mary Jemison, written by Lois Lenski. It takes place during the French and Indian War. Mary Jemison is taken from from her home and her family is tomahawked. The Indians bring her to a Seneca village called "Seneca Town", where she is adopted into a Seneca family. At first Mary is wary of the Indians, but most of them are very kind to her. After a few years, she is given a chance to return to the whites. But her family is dead, and she has come to think of the Indians as her new family. How can she leave them now?

This is a sad but exciting story of hope and friendship. I think anyone who enjoys stories about Native Americans, or history in general, would love this book as I did.

I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

**This book was read for school, not for one of the reading challenges.

Unearthing the Dragon: The Great Feathered Dinosaur Discovery (book review)

Unearthing the Dragon: The Great Feathered Dinosaur Discovery, is by paleontologist Mark Norell. In the book, he writes about the fossil beds of Liaoning, a Chinese province, where large amounts of amazing fossils have been discovered. He also talks about his experiences with the Chinese culture.

Also mentioned in the book are groups, such as BAND (Birds Are Not Dinosaurs), who do not believe that birds are dinosaurs. Norell discusses some of the reasons why birds are now generally considered to be dinosaurs.

I really enjoyed this book. Not surprising, since I've long been interested in both dinosaurs and Chinese culture! It was a fast read, and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in paleontology or in China.

I give this book 8 out of 10 stars.

(I'm also very excited that I'm going to see Mark Norell give a presentation in a few weeks. Maybe he'll sign Dad's book!)

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 5 down, 25 to go.

The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects (book review)

For most people, living in a community of runaway fairy-tale characters, called Everafters, would be amazing. But not for Sabrina Grimm. It just so happens that her great-great-great-great grandfather Wilhelm Grimm, along with the powerful witch Baba Yaga, cast an enchantment on the small town of Ferryport Landing, ensuring that no Everafters could escape. So most Everafters hate the Grimms.

Although she puts up with the Everafters every day, Sabrina does not trust them. She knows one of them kidnapped her parents, and left her stuck with her eccentric grandma, a four thousand year old fairy, the Big Bad Wolf, and her sister Daphne Grimm, for family. Sabrina is determined to find out which one of the Everafters is responsible, and bring them to justice.

I thought this book was really well-written. It was funny and entertaining, and at times suspenseful. This is the second in The Sisters Grimm series, and I hope there will be many more to come.

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: 2 books read, 13 to go.

On Wings of a Dragon (book review)

On Wings of a Dragon is a fantasy by Cora Taylor. In the book, Kour'el is a young girl from a land far away, and a magical people. She wakes up one day in a tower cell with no memory of the past. With help from her faithful companion Api'Naga, an immortal dragon, she painfully pieces together her memories and remembers her mission.

Far away, a dying king needs the help of Kour'el and Api'Naga. The ruthless Queen Mariah will do anything to have complete control over the land. But a servant named Maighdlin can help Kour'el, for as they will soon discover, they both have incredible powers.

I enjoyed this book much more than the last one I read, the Black Gryphon. On the Wings of a Dragon was full of emotion, and it was action-packed! If this were to be part of a series, I would eagerly await the next book!

I give this book 8 out of 10 stars.

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge: 3 books down, 27 to go.

a few additions...

A few books to add to my The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge:

22. Meet Kit by Valerie Tripp
23. The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan
24. Unearthing the Dragon by Mark Norell
25. Girl in Blue by Ann Rinaldi
26. Dragon: Hound of Honor by Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamelton
27. Time Cat by Lloyd Alexander
28. Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man by Wendelin Van Draanen
29. Pendragon: Black Water by D.J. MacHale
30. Tai Shan of the Dead by Jean Lightner Norum

a few additons...

Just a few more to add to my list for the The Once Upon a Time Challenge:

6. The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects by Michael Buckley
7. The Book without Words by Avi
8. A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
9. Ragweed by Avi
10. Poppy by Avi
11. Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins
12. Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep by Liz Kessler
13. Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Spirit Walker by Michelle Paver
14. The Chronicles of Prydain: The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
15. His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

The Black Gryphon (book review)

The Black Gryphon is a fantasy by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon. It was about the mythical creature the gryphon. In the story, there is a war going on between two mages, Ma'ar and Urtho. One of the war's greatest heroes is the Black Gryphon, Skandranon Rashkae. But when Skan is sent on a mission and doesn't return, his closest friend Amberdrake, a Healer from the Kaled'a'in people, starts worrying. Skan is always home on time. Is it the end of the Black Gryphon?

I believe the book could use more action, but overall it was a good fantasy. Someday I might read the next book in the series, The White Gryphon, but there are other books that I'm definitely planning to read first.

I give this book 7 out of 10 stars.

The Once Upon a Time Challenge: one book down, four to go.

Abstract Expressionists (book review)

Abstract Expressionists, by Rachel Barnes, begins by explaining the Abstract Art movement. It talks about where the movement happened and what obstacles it faced.

Following this introduction are twelve chapters about various abstract expressionists. Each chapter included a short biography about the artist and and a few pictures of their works. In some of the chapters, there were little sections about the lives of some of the people the artist worked with.

I thought the book was very educational and well-written. Some of the artists had very interesting lives! Overall, the book was certainly one I would recommend.


**This book was read for school; it is not for one of the book challenges.

Kira-Kira (book review)

Kira-Kira is Japanese for glittering. In this novel by Cynthia Kadohata, a young Japanese-American girl, Katie, discovers the true meaning of Kira-Kira.

Katie has always been close to her big sister Lynn. They were the best of friends. To Lynn, Kira-Kira means one’s eyes, the endless sky, and the deep, mysterious ocean. To Katie, it means anything from a puppy to a Kleenex.

The two have always been at home with their parents in a snug house in Iowa. But changes are on the way, and they aren’t all good. And in the middle of it all, Lynn starts drifting away from Katie. Soon, a tragedy strikes that will separate them forever.

When finally things start to settle down, Katie finds herself discovering the true meaning of family, friendship, and Kira-Kira.

The story was a very sad one, but I believe it is one of the best books you could ever read.


**This book was read for school; it is not from the reading challenges.

Becoming Naomi Leon (book review)

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan. This is a story about the true meaning of family and friendship.





Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw's life has its downsides. There's her status at school as "nobody special". And her name happens to be a target for teasing. But overall, life at Avocado Acres Trailer Rancho is peaceful, with her brother Owen and her Gram. And her soap carvings, one of her greatest talents. That is, until her mom reappears after seven years, stirring up all kinds of excitement.

But her mom isn't at all what Naomi imagines. She's not Volunteer Mom, or Business Mom, or Nursery Mom. Instead Drunken, Mean Mom. And soon she gets the idea in her head that Naomi is going to Las Vegas with her in the summer. And if Naomi isn't ready, something bad is going to happen.

So Naomi, Owen, and Gram take off on a trip beyond their wildest dreams. Naomi has no idea that she is going to live up to her family name... in a way she never could have imagined.

I give this book nine out of ten stars!

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge...two books down, nineteen to go.

a senryu

by Annie (age 9)

sidewinder slithers
across the smooth, silky sand
breaking golden waves

A Rat's Tale (book review)

A Rat's Tale, a fantasy by Tor Seidler. It's funny and dramatic, yet a bit dull at times, too.

Montague Mad-Rat and Isabel Moberly-Rat are very different. She's upper class and lives in the fanciest wharf a rat could want, Wharf 62. He's a peasant rat whose family is well known for MAKING THINGS WITH THEIR PAWS, which is considered less than lowly in the rat world. Yet by a twist of fate, the two meet by the gutters on a Sunday morning. She falls in, and he happens to rescue her.

When Montague accompanies an elderly rat couple to the Grand Rat Chat, a meeting of rats to speak of important issues, Isabel's father speaks out about how the rats were getting lazy. They lived in peace with the humans as long as the rats provided them with fifty thousand dollars a year. But no money, no mercy. The rats were running out of time. They hadn't collected a single cent and the poisoning had begun.

Montague donated his painted seashell murals to the program, and was humiliated in front of Isabel. The Moberly-Rats thought the art was worthless. All except Isabel. She found a way to turn Montague's shells into one hundred thousand dollars, enough to stop the poisoning for two whole years!

This story is about equal rights and prejudice. Everyone in the society, no matter how wealthy or poor they are, can make a difference.


I give this book seven out of ten stars!

The Spring Reading Thing reading challenge...one book down, twenty to go.

Spring Reading Thing

And for reading challenge #2...the Spring Reading Thing. This one runs concurrently with the Once Upon a Time reading challenge. That is, approximately March 21 through June 21. (And here is where she leaves her poor old mom in the dust!)







1. A Rat's Tale by Tor Seidler (library book)
2. On the Wings of a Dragon by Cora Taylor (library book)
3. Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan (library book)
4. Danger After Dark by Ellie McDonald
5. One for Sorrow, Two for Joy by Clive Woodall (re-read)
6. The Naked Mole-Rat Letters by Mary Amato (re-read)
7. Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
8. Trixie Belden: The Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell
9. Blue Jasmine by Kashmira Sheth (re-read)
10. The Keys to the Kingdom: Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix
11. Nancy Drew: The Wrong Chemistry by Carolyn Keene
12. Nancy Drew: Out of Bounds by Carolyn Keene
13. Nancy Drew: Flirting with Danger by Carolyn Keene
14. Dear America: The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce-A Pilgrim Boy by Ann Rinaldi
15. Dear America: The Winter of Red Snow-The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart
16. Shiva's Fire by Suzanne Fisher Staples
17. Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
18. Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo
19. Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy by Jenny Nimmo
20. Clara Barton and the American Red Cross by Eve Marko
21. The Little People: Stories of Fairies, Pixies, and Other Small Folk by Neil Philip

Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge

The Once Upon a Time Challenge...the perfect challenge for Miss Annie! Big-time fan of the fantasy genre! And she's promised to post reviews here of all the books from her list.




Annie's list:
1. The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon (library book)
2. The Lord of the Rings-Part Two-The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. The Lord of the Rings-Part Three-The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
4. Septimus Heap-Book One-Magyk by Angie Sage
5. Children of the Lamp by P.B. Kerr

a limerick

a limerick
by Annie (age 9)

There once was a baby, you know,
Born under a blanket of snow.
Her mother was ice
And therefore not nice,
Though part of Mother Nature's show.

and still another haiku

and still another haiku
by Annie (age 9)

when the sun shines down
on the pretty golden land
life illuminates

yet another haiku

yet another haiku
by Annie (age 9)

when the sun comes out
and sheds its heavenly rays
the snow slinks away

another haiku

another haiku
by Annie (age 9)

sparrow hiding in
the branches and brambles of
the thick green hedgerow

a haiku

a haiku
by Annie (age 9)

rotting milkweed lies
on the ground despairingly
silky flowers fly

Colors of Nature

Colors of Nature
by Annie (age 9)

Rainbow shines across the sky
Glimmering in the mist
Seven colors way up high
Once gone, it will be missed.

Falling leaves swirl round and round
Yellow, orange, brown, and red
Some of them will touch the ground
Some will land upon my head.

Aurora borealis, way up north
Shimmering in the night
Like snakes slithering back and forth
In the sky so bright.

A Thunderstorm

A Thunderstorm
by Annie (age 9)

A storm is raging in the night.
The ground is soft and wet.
The cat is shaking in a fright,
While the mice squeak and fret.

The thunder's deep and rumbling boom,
The lightning's blinding flash,
Makes a confusion in my room.
I'm caught in Nature's fearsome clash.

Wind

Wind
by Annie (age 9)

Sailing through the tops of trees
Gently now, I'm at ease.
I race below a moonlit star
Reminds me of galaxies near and far.
Where they are, I cannot say.
No time to chat, got work today.

I must race around the world
Through trees twisted and leaves twirled.
Though what the reason, I cannot say,
Yes, oh yes, there's work today.

Even though there's work to do,
With a single thrust, I'm there for you.
I swirl around your big tree,
I laugh and howl for your family.
If you dare to try to race me,
I'll leave you in the dust, you see.

I fly, I fly, I fly so free
Cheer and smile and dance with me.
For I'm the wind, no time to play...
Work to do, work today.

Wolf and Mouse

Wolf and Mouse
by Annie (age 9)

Wolf is sleeping in the night
While mouse watches, eyes wide in fright
For he knows he must pass by,
If home is where he wants to lie.
But sleeping wolf opens one eye
As mouse tries to scurry by.
Silent wolf sits in the snow
For what the sound is he must know.
There is no hope for little mouse
Who'll never again see his little house.
He spies wolf with jaws opened wide.
They will not say he never tried.

another spelling story

Annie's homework assignment for today was to write a story using her spelling words for this week. She wrote as if writing the description on a book jacket. I wish I was a fraction as clever as she is!

This week's words:
lambent, blatherskite, wistfully, invertebrate, strategy, pediatrician, excitement, seethe, numerous, prominent, iridescent, cerulean, throughout, leisurely, extraordinary, humorous


This is the story of a rather humorous girl, a friendly pediatrician, and a cerulean invertebrate.

The girl, Ti, and her companion Patty, a prominent pediatrician, embark on a quest to free an important item from an evil blatherskite. The item, The Lambent Orb, an iridescent sphere, was once guarded by the Cerulean Star, an invertebrate. But she has been put to sleep. The duo comes up with a strategy to save the orb. Throughout the not-so-leisurely adventure, the seething blatherskite makes numerous attempts to murder Ti, but always fails. In the end, when the orb is retrieved, he wistfully dies of anger.

"What an extraordinary tale full of excitement!" --The New York Times

Orphan

*by Annie (April 2006, age 8)

I love you,
Yes I do.
If only you loved me.

Yes, if I was a loved one,
I would surely shout "Yippee!"

But I am not,
I'm just a dot

in the background.