Hi everybody! I'm now going to announce my final read-a-thon list. The numbers in bold will be the ones that you've chosen.
1. Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce.
2. Wolf Trails by Nik Sawe.
3. The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe by Roland Smith.
4. Monkey Town: The Summer of the Scopes Trial by Ronald Kidd.
5. Faeries' Landing Volume 1 by You Hyun
6. Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates.
7. Zodiac P.I. Volume 2 by Natsumi Ando
8. The Mystery of the Biltmore House by Carole Marsh
9. Sea Princess Azuri Volume 1 by Erica Reiss
10. The Ruby Key by Holly Lisle
11. Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne
12. Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
13. Tokyo Mew Mew A La Mode Volume 1 by Mia Ikumi
14. The Pack by Tom Pow
15. Rainy by Sis Deans
16. The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
17. Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull
18. Pendragon: The Quillan Games by D.J. MacHale
19. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
20. Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles De Lint
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Read-a-thon list
Hi everyone! As you probably know, it's only a week until the next read-a-thon. I'm going to do what I did last year to help me weed the list down. I'll post the first sentence from each book (and if it's a graphic novel, the first sentence on the back cover), and you choose the ones that you think sound most interesting. Even if you know what book the sentence comes from, judge only from the sentence!!! Ready?
1. The wolves of the Long Lake Pack, gorged on a careless mountain sheep, slept as they digested their meal.
2. The sunlight, for a brief moment, seemed to flare upon the meadow, casting an orange glow about the pale brown grasses.
3. John Colter gallops into camp, jumps off his horse, and shouts, "Seaman? Good Lord! Is that really you? We thought you were dead!"
4. In my house the early bird didn't get the worm.
5. Welcome to Faeries' Landing, a place where the real world and the Faerie realm collide.
6. Later, I would think of it as crossing over.
7. What's your sign?
8. Stacy Brown dealt the cards into the sloppy stacks in the back seat of the red station wagon.
9. Azuri is the mermaid princess and the only royal heir of the Orcans, a race of whale-mer-people that lives in a magical environment deep within the ocean.
10. The sun slid down towards the tops of the trees.
11. Moonlight washed over us, washed over Lucas and me.
12. Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse I saw the dead guy standing next to my locker.
13. The cats are back, and a new Mew is about to emerge!
14. The engine screamed as the driver, both hands round the gear stick, forced the transport truck up into third.
15. The main building at Camp Megunticook was called Penobscot Lodge.
16. "I'm tired of remembering," Hannah said to her mother as she climbed into the car.
17. On a muggy August day, Seth hurried along a faint path, eyes scanning the lush foliage to his left.
18. I like to play games.
19. There was once a kindly old wizard who used his magic generously and wisely for the benefit of his neighbors.
20. SCRITCH, SCRITCH, SCRITCH.
That's all! Have fun choosing!
1. The wolves of the Long Lake Pack, gorged on a careless mountain sheep, slept as they digested their meal.
2. The sunlight, for a brief moment, seemed to flare upon the meadow, casting an orange glow about the pale brown grasses.
3. John Colter gallops into camp, jumps off his horse, and shouts, "Seaman? Good Lord! Is that really you? We thought you were dead!"
4. In my house the early bird didn't get the worm.
5. Welcome to Faeries' Landing, a place where the real world and the Faerie realm collide.
6. Later, I would think of it as crossing over.
7. What's your sign?
8. Stacy Brown dealt the cards into the sloppy stacks in the back seat of the red station wagon.
9. Azuri is the mermaid princess and the only royal heir of the Orcans, a race of whale-mer-people that lives in a magical environment deep within the ocean.
10. The sun slid down towards the tops of the trees.
11. Moonlight washed over us, washed over Lucas and me.
12. Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse I saw the dead guy standing next to my locker.
13. The cats are back, and a new Mew is about to emerge!
14. The engine screamed as the driver, both hands round the gear stick, forced the transport truck up into third.
15. The main building at Camp Megunticook was called Penobscot Lodge.
16. "I'm tired of remembering," Hannah said to her mother as she climbed into the car.
17. On a muggy August day, Seth hurried along a faint path, eyes scanning the lush foliage to his left.
18. I like to play games.
19. There was once a kindly old wizard who used his magic generously and wisely for the benefit of his neighbors.
20. SCRITCH, SCRITCH, SCRITCH.
That's all! Have fun choosing!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Zodiac P.I. Book #1 (book review)
Zodiac P.I. Book #1, by Natsumi Ando, is the story of thirteen-year-old Lili Hoshizawa, who's not just any other girl. She's a talented astrologer who uses her knowledge of the stars to solve crimes as the mysterious Spica P.I. When a fellow classmate is murdered, Lili suspects one of her own teachers is the culprit. Can she solve this challenging case or will she become the next victim? Then, Lili must go undercover as a piano student in order to investigate a haunted music school.
This was a great book! It was quick and engaging, and I never wanted to put it down! Lili was a complex and interesting character. I'd recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading manga or detective stories.
This book was for the Graphic Novel Challenge '09.
This was a great book! It was quick and engaging, and I never wanted to put it down! Lili was a complex and interesting character. I'd recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading manga or detective stories.
This book was for the Graphic Novel Challenge '09.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Two Book Reviews
First, I read Evolution, Me, & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande. It is the story of how one girl tried to reconcile her belief in both religion and science.
Life sucks for Mena Reece. She's been kicked out of her church group and everyone in it hates her, including her parents. Her first day of high school is filled with dirty glares and hard shoves. She doesn't think life will ever get better until she meets her lab partner, Casey. He's pretty funny--and cute--for the smartest guy ever. When the unit on evolution begins, Mena's life gets even wilder as she struggles to deal with her belief in God and science.
I loved this book! It was filled with twists and turns, and I never got bored of reading it. I'd recommend it to anybody interested in realistic fiction or the controversy between evolutionists and creationists.
This book was for the Spring Reading Thing 09 Challenge.
The second review is of When My Name was Keoko, by Linda Sue Park. It is the story of one Korean family during World War II. During the war, the Japanese occupied Korea. The native Koreans lost everything: their possessions, their food, even their own names. Ten-year-old Sun-Hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, are furious when they are forced to take Japanese names. But what can they do? If they disobey the Japanese, their family will be severely punished. When they discover that their beloved uncle, who is a part of the Korean resistance, has been forced into hiding, their lives are torn apart even more. And when Tae-yul, knowing that the families of soldiers are given special benefits, decides to join the Japanese army as a kamikaze, Sun-hee doesn't know what to think. Will her beloved brother ever return?
I loved this book!!! It was very moving and very emotional--happy at times, sad at others. I think this will be a story that stays with me forever, and I can't say that about many books.
This book was for the Spring Reading Thing 09 Challenge and the World War II Challenge.
Life sucks for Mena Reece. She's been kicked out of her church group and everyone in it hates her, including her parents. Her first day of high school is filled with dirty glares and hard shoves. She doesn't think life will ever get better until she meets her lab partner, Casey. He's pretty funny--and cute--for the smartest guy ever. When the unit on evolution begins, Mena's life gets even wilder as she struggles to deal with her belief in God and science.
I loved this book! It was filled with twists and turns, and I never got bored of reading it. I'd recommend it to anybody interested in realistic fiction or the controversy between evolutionists and creationists.
This book was for the Spring Reading Thing 09 Challenge.
The second review is of When My Name was Keoko, by Linda Sue Park. It is the story of one Korean family during World War II. During the war, the Japanese occupied Korea. The native Koreans lost everything: their possessions, their food, even their own names. Ten-year-old Sun-Hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, are furious when they are forced to take Japanese names. But what can they do? If they disobey the Japanese, their family will be severely punished. When they discover that their beloved uncle, who is a part of the Korean resistance, has been forced into hiding, their lives are torn apart even more. And when Tae-yul, knowing that the families of soldiers are given special benefits, decides to join the Japanese army as a kamikaze, Sun-hee doesn't know what to think. Will her beloved brother ever return?
I loved this book!!! It was very moving and very emotional--happy at times, sad at others. I think this will be a story that stays with me forever, and I can't say that about many books.
This book was for the Spring Reading Thing 09 Challenge and the World War II Challenge.
Teen Book Festival
On Saturday, I went to the Teen Book Festival, or TBF, with my friend Cece. There were many famous authors there, including Linda Sue Park and Michael Buckley. I had four books signed: Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr, Evolution, Me, & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande, Dramacon Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova, and When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park. I had so much fun there!!!!!!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Story of a Girl (book review)
Story of a Girl, by Sara Zarr, is the tale of sixteen-year-old Deanna Lambert, who, three years ago, made a huge mistake that she's never been able to forget. Her father caught her in the back of Tommy Webber's Buick. Tommy was seventeen, her older brother Darren's supposed friend, and Deanna wasn't even sure she liked him. Even now, she is still struggling to overcome the role of "school slut" and get people to see her for who she really is. She is not who the rumors portray her as, but how can she get everyone else to realize that? So much drama is going on in her life right now, and Deanna soon finds that everything can change in one summer...
I loved this book! It was the second book I read by this author, and I enjoyed it just as much as (maybe even better than) Sweethearts! The language was beautiful, and it flowed very smoothly. The characters were very realistic; I felt like they could walk out of the book and tap me on the shoulder at any time.
This book is for the Spring Reading Thing Challenge '09.
I loved this book! It was the second book I read by this author, and I enjoyed it just as much as (maybe even better than) Sweethearts! The language was beautiful, and it flowed very smoothly. The characters were very realistic; I felt like they could walk out of the book and tap me on the shoulder at any time.
This book is for the Spring Reading Thing Challenge '09.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Three Poems
Here are three poems I wrote yesterday:
The Forest Sleeps
In the heat of midday
when the chirping of cicadas
drones on and on
and the field, ripe with golden wheat
shimmers with heat waves
the forest sleeps.
But when the sun sinks slowly out of the sky
and the doleful call of the mourning dove rises and fades,
rises and fades
and the crickets play sweet music
for all to hear
and the deer frolic under the trees'
bent boughs,
and the willow
sways calmly in the gentle breeze
it is filled with life.
And in the early morning light
the crickets stop their song
and the deer recede back into
the thickets
and the chickadees chirp for joy
because a new day has begun.
Murder in the Palace
Gilded crimson
velvety cloak
flutters slowly to the ground.
Blood, red as the fabric itself,
pools on the floor.
The assassin, with his
knife
clenched between his teeth,
slips quietly out
the window
just as
the royal guards
come rushing into
the queen's chambers.
Starwalkers
There are three
who walk
the endless path of the stars
on icy nights when the cold
freezes off the toes
of the homeless man,
on sultry nights,
when couples
sit on their porches
and gaze out into the heavens,
and on rainy nights,
when the stray dog
shelters under a soggy cardboard box.
First, there is the girl,
young though she may seem,
her eyes show wisdom
beyond her years
and her feet are worn from treading paths
even the oldest man on Earth
has yet to touch.
Second, there is the cat,
wild though it may seem,
its breath is the wind,
wild, fierce, and free
and the ground upon which it walks
glows with silvery molten light.
Third, there is the elder,
old though he may seem,
his cane
is the trunk
of the tallest redwood tree
and his cloak
is the wing
of the prettiest
nightingale.
Together,
the girl, Time,
and the cat, Earth,
and the elder, Life
maintain the intricate balance
of the world as we know it.
When they finally
fade away
into the distance
and the earth
slows
and the life
withers
and the time
stops
The Forest Sleeps
In the heat of midday
when the chirping of cicadas
drones on and on
and the field, ripe with golden wheat
shimmers with heat waves
the forest sleeps.
But when the sun sinks slowly out of the sky
and the doleful call of the mourning dove rises and fades,
rises and fades
and the crickets play sweet music
for all to hear
and the deer frolic under the trees'
bent boughs,
and the willow
sways calmly in the gentle breeze
it is filled with life.
And in the early morning light
the crickets stop their song
and the deer recede back into
the thickets
and the chickadees chirp for joy
because a new day has begun.
Murder in the Palace
Gilded crimson
velvety cloak
flutters slowly to the ground.
Blood, red as the fabric itself,
pools on the floor.
The assassin, with his
knife
clenched between his teeth,
slips quietly out
the window
just as
the royal guards
come rushing into
the queen's chambers.
Starwalkers
There are three
who walk
the endless path of the stars
on icy nights when the cold
freezes off the toes
of the homeless man,
on sultry nights,
when couples
sit on their porches
and gaze out into the heavens,
and on rainy nights,
when the stray dog
shelters under a soggy cardboard box.
First, there is the girl,
young though she may seem,
her eyes show wisdom
beyond her years
and her feet are worn from treading paths
even the oldest man on Earth
has yet to touch.
Second, there is the cat,
wild though it may seem,
its breath is the wind,
wild, fierce, and free
and the ground upon which it walks
glows with silvery molten light.
Third, there is the elder,
old though he may seem,
his cane
is the trunk
of the tallest redwood tree
and his cloak
is the wing
of the prettiest
nightingale.
Together,
the girl, Time,
and the cat, Earth,
and the elder, Life
maintain the intricate balance
of the world as we know it.
When they finally
fade away
into the distance
and the earth
slows
and the life
withers
and the time
stops
Friday, March 20, 2009
Yay!!! Once Upon A Time 3!!!!
I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited for the Once Upon A Time III Challenge!!!!!!!!! I chose Quest The First, which means you have to read five books that fall under the category of fantasy, myth, folklore, or fairy tales.
Here is my pool of books to choose from:
The Forest in the Hallway by Gordon Smith
Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher
Seekers: The Quest Begins by Erin Hunter
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Attica by Garry Kilworth
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
Iris, Messenger by Sarah Deming
Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin
Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles De Lint
The Ruby Key by Holly Lisle
The Siren Song by Anne Ursu
Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne
Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
I can't wait to start! Thank you Carl for hosting this challenge!
Spring Reading Thing!!!!
I am so excited for the Spring Reading Thing!
Here is my list:
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Paper Towns by John Green
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
Monkey Town: The Summer of the Scopes Trial by Robert Kidd
The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe by Roland Smith
The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara
Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande
Saving Zoe by Alyson Noel
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Changed book
I switched from The Faerie Path to Story of a Girl because I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I'll check it out from the library again another time and try again.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
The Plain Janes (book review)
The Plain Janes is a graphic novel by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg. When Jane moves from exciting Metro City to the boring suburbs, she's convinced her life is over...that is, until she meets three other girls named Jane, whom she persuades to form an exclusive club called P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art In Neighborhoods). Together, the Janes, through a bunch of so-called "art attacks," try to bring the beauty of art to the people of their town. But some people don't appreciate P.L.A.I.N.'s attempts so much, and now the police are on their trail! Can the Janes keep pulling off their art attacks, or will they get busted once and for all?
I thought this book was very good. It was a nice, quick, and very unique read. In my opinion, it was an excellent break from heavier reading.
This book is for the Support Your Local Library Challenge and for the Graphic Novel Challenge 2009.
I thought this book was very good. It was a nice, quick, and very unique read. In my opinion, it was an excellent break from heavier reading.
This book is for the Support Your Local Library Challenge and for the Graphic Novel Challenge 2009.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Beneath my Mother's Feet (book review)
Beneath My Mother's Feet, by Amjed Qamar, is a wonderful coming-of-age story which takes place in Pakistan. Nazia is a dutiful daughter, and does whatever her amma (mother) asks her to. She has never questioned the fact that she will soon be married off and have to tend to her husband's house. That is, until all the clothes for her dowry are stolen, her family is kicked out of their house, and her father abandons them all. Now Amma has arranged for them to work as house servants for three wealthy Pakistani families. Nazia has never wondered if there was another life for her, but now she begins to question all the rules she has grown up with. Perhaps there is another destiny out there for her. It is thoughts like these that eventually lead Nazia to rebel against the tame life planned for her and throw aside all the restrictions that have bound her for so long.
This book was wonderful! It introduced to me a world that is so different from the world that I know, a world where girls are married off at a very young age, with no say in the matter. I felt very bad for Nazia because of all the hardships she was going through, and sometimes I wondered if I would have been brave enough to do what she did if I were in her situation.
This book is for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
This book was wonderful! It introduced to me a world that is so different from the world that I know, a world where girls are married off at a very young age, with no say in the matter. I felt very bad for Nazia because of all the hardships she was going through, and sometimes I wondered if I would have been brave enough to do what she did if I were in her situation.
This book is for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Ghostgirl (book review)
Ghostgirl, by Tonya Hurley, is the story of Charlotte Usher, who's invisible to virtually everyone at her high school. She's a nobody, someone who the popular girls, Petula Kensington and her crowd, look down upon. Charlotte wants more than anything to become like Petula and to catch the eye of her crush, Damen. But things never seem to go Charlotte's way, and just when she thinks she's getting somewhere she chokes on a gummy bear on the way to the next class...and dies.
But, as it turns out, she can't rest in peace until she completes an unfinished task. For now, she's stuck on Earth in some kind of strange school for ghosts. Charlotte can only guess what her "unfinished task" is. But for now she's completely fine following Damen around in secrecy. After all, no human can see her now...except for one, Petula's younger sister, Scarlet. And Scarlet just might be the key to scoring a kiss from Damen. Now that Charlotte's a ghost, she can possess humans and inhabit their bodies. All she has to do is convince Scarlet to agree...and get Damen to fall for her. But carrying out this plan just might destroy the delicate world that Charlotte's ghostly friends have built up around them.
This book was okay. I was really enjoying it at first, but towards the middle it seemed to be getting old. All it talked about was Damen, 24/7, which started to get annoying. However, it began to pick up towards the end again. I really loved the bittersweet ending. Overall it was a good book, but I wouldn't rush out to buy it or anything. WARNING: This book, even though it's a fast read, isn't for very young readers. It uses quite a bit of bad language.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
But, as it turns out, she can't rest in peace until she completes an unfinished task. For now, she's stuck on Earth in some kind of strange school for ghosts. Charlotte can only guess what her "unfinished task" is. But for now she's completely fine following Damen around in secrecy. After all, no human can see her now...except for one, Petula's younger sister, Scarlet. And Scarlet just might be the key to scoring a kiss from Damen. Now that Charlotte's a ghost, she can possess humans and inhabit their bodies. All she has to do is convince Scarlet to agree...and get Damen to fall for her. But carrying out this plan just might destroy the delicate world that Charlotte's ghostly friends have built up around them.
This book was okay. I was really enjoying it at first, but towards the middle it seemed to be getting old. All it talked about was Damen, 24/7, which started to get annoying. However, it began to pick up towards the end again. I really loved the bittersweet ending. Overall it was a good book, but I wouldn't rush out to buy it or anything. WARNING: This book, even though it's a fast read, isn't for very young readers. It uses quite a bit of bad language.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Long Shadows (book review)
Long Shadows, by Erin Hunter, is the newest installment in the Warriors: Power of Three saga. Power of Three is the most recent of three six-book series about warrior cats, the first two being Warriors and Warriors: The New Prophecy. There is also a Warriors Super Edition book, called Firestar's Quest, and two Warriors field guides.
Hollyleaf, Jaypaw, and Lionblaze are kin to the legendary clan leader Firestar (who first appeared as Firepaw in the original Warriors series) and are the subject of a prophecy about three of Firestar's relatives who hold the power of the stars in their paws. The three siblings belong to ThunderClan, one of four warrior cat clans, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, WindClan, and RiverClan. One cat from each clan, known as the medicine cat, has the ability to heal other cats with herbs as well as to speak to the cats' warrior ancestors, who are known as StarClan. Jaypaw is the apprentice of ThunderClan's current medicine cat, Leafpool. He has the ability to walk in the dreams of other cats, and although he was born blind, he knows things other cats don't know. When a horrible bout of sickness strikes ThunderClan, it seems as if this more than half of the clan may die. And StarClan has placed their fate in his paws. Can Jaypaw save the sick cats before time runs out?
Hollyleaf is the diplomat of the group. Her dream is to become leader of Thunderclan one day. To her, preserving the warrior code, which all clan cats live by, is more important than almost anything else. But when a mysterious loner begins convincing ShadowClan to abandon the warrior code, Hollyleaf may have to break it herself if she wants to convince them to return to clan life.
Lionblaze is dedicated to becoming the best warrior he can possibly be, but he's hiding a big secret from the rest of ThunderClan--he is visited in his dreams by the dark warrior Tigerstar, who once caused the forest to run red with the blood of innocent cats. Lionblaze is beginning to free himself from Tigerstar's control. However, he is still tormented by bloody visions and violent dreams. Will the darkness within him affect the cats around him?
When madness and murder reach the heart of ThunderClan itself, the three siblings uncover a shocking secret. This revelation forces Jaypaw, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf to question everything they've ever believed, and it changes their whole world forever.
I LOVED this book! Once I started reading, it was almost impossible to put it down (although that's happened with every book in the series that I've read so far)! This book revealed darkness in the hearts of some cats, which I didn't notice before. It was very descriptive and easy to understand, and it ended in a cliffhanger that left me wanting more! I will DEFINITELY run out to buy the next book as soon as it comes out in early April. However, to new readers of Warriors I'd definitely recommend starting with the first series. The books are much easier to understand that way.
This book was for the 999 Challenge under the category of "Fantasy with Animals".
Hollyleaf, Jaypaw, and Lionblaze are kin to the legendary clan leader Firestar (who first appeared as Firepaw in the original Warriors series) and are the subject of a prophecy about three of Firestar's relatives who hold the power of the stars in their paws. The three siblings belong to ThunderClan, one of four warrior cat clans, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, WindClan, and RiverClan. One cat from each clan, known as the medicine cat, has the ability to heal other cats with herbs as well as to speak to the cats' warrior ancestors, who are known as StarClan. Jaypaw is the apprentice of ThunderClan's current medicine cat, Leafpool. He has the ability to walk in the dreams of other cats, and although he was born blind, he knows things other cats don't know. When a horrible bout of sickness strikes ThunderClan, it seems as if this more than half of the clan may die. And StarClan has placed their fate in his paws. Can Jaypaw save the sick cats before time runs out?
Hollyleaf is the diplomat of the group. Her dream is to become leader of Thunderclan one day. To her, preserving the warrior code, which all clan cats live by, is more important than almost anything else. But when a mysterious loner begins convincing ShadowClan to abandon the warrior code, Hollyleaf may have to break it herself if she wants to convince them to return to clan life.
Lionblaze is dedicated to becoming the best warrior he can possibly be, but he's hiding a big secret from the rest of ThunderClan--he is visited in his dreams by the dark warrior Tigerstar, who once caused the forest to run red with the blood of innocent cats. Lionblaze is beginning to free himself from Tigerstar's control. However, he is still tormented by bloody visions and violent dreams. Will the darkness within him affect the cats around him?
When madness and murder reach the heart of ThunderClan itself, the three siblings uncover a shocking secret. This revelation forces Jaypaw, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf to question everything they've ever believed, and it changes their whole world forever.
I LOVED this book! Once I started reading, it was almost impossible to put it down (although that's happened with every book in the series that I've read so far)! This book revealed darkness in the hearts of some cats, which I didn't notice before. It was very descriptive and easy to understand, and it ended in a cliffhanger that left me wanting more! I will DEFINITELY run out to buy the next book as soon as it comes out in early April. However, to new readers of Warriors I'd definitely recommend starting with the first series. The books are much easier to understand that way.
This book was for the 999 Challenge under the category of "Fantasy with Animals".
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Evernight (book review)
In the suspenseful novel Evernight, Bianca finds herself attending the eerie Evernight Academy. She thinks her life is over...that is, until she meets Lucas. He's handsome, smart, and kind. But the school, and Bianca, are hiding a big secret from him. Except for a select few students, everyone at Evernight is a vampire. Evernight is one of the only places where they can relax and be themselves. Born to two vampires, Bianca is destined to become one herself someday. But it turns out Lucas is hiding a secret just as big, one that threatens to destroy the magical world of Evernight...and those in it...forever.
This was a great book. It wasn't as good as the Twilight saga, but then again it's hard to beat that series. At times it was a little confusing. For example, about halfway through the book, I learned that Evernight was a vampire school. Then, it was revealed that Bianca had known about the vampires all along. Overall, however, it was excellent. The characters were complex and realistic, and I felt like I actually knew them. I will definitely look for the next Evernight book, Stargazer.
This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.
This was a great book. It wasn't as good as the Twilight saga, but then again it's hard to beat that series. At times it was a little confusing. For example, about halfway through the book, I learned that Evernight was a vampire school. Then, it was revealed that Bianca had known about the vampires all along. Overall, however, it was excellent. The characters were complex and realistic, and I felt like I actually knew them. I will definitely look for the next Evernight book, Stargazer.
This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Gothic Lolita (book review)
Gothic Lolita, by Dakota Lane, is the story of two girls in two separate countries with a supernatural connection. Miya lives in Japan. Chelsea lives in California. They're both half Japanese, dress like Gothic lolitas, and love reading a manga series called, "Shonen Rainbow Warrior". But they have more in common than that, as they will soon realize...
They got to know each other through their blogs, but three years ago tragedy struck Chelsea's family, and she stopped writing. Miya has experienced tragedy as well, but she keeps posting and checking Chelsea's blog in the hopes that one day Chelsea will write back. Soon, Chelsea realizes she can't avoid Miya any longer. She goes back online and tells Miya everything. And both girls' lives will drastically change because of it...
I loved this book! It was a bittersweet story of tragedy, love, and triumph with a bit of mystery and fantasy thrown in as well. It was a very quick read, and I'm definitely glad I bought it!
This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.
They got to know each other through their blogs, but three years ago tragedy struck Chelsea's family, and she stopped writing. Miya has experienced tragedy as well, but she keeps posting and checking Chelsea's blog in the hopes that one day Chelsea will write back. Soon, Chelsea realizes she can't avoid Miya any longer. She goes back online and tells Miya everything. And both girls' lives will drastically change because of it...
I loved this book! It was a bittersweet story of tragedy, love, and triumph with a bit of mystery and fantasy thrown in as well. It was a very quick read, and I'm definitely glad I bought it!
This book was for the Young Adult Challenge 09.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Warriors: Cats of the Clans (book review)
Warriors: Cats of the Clans, by Erin Hunter, is an overview of the lives of the cats from the Warriors series, which is also by this author. With beautiful illustrations and short but fact-filled descriptions of the cats' lives, the book presents well-known cats from each of the clans (ThunderClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan, and WindClan).
This is a must-read for fans of the series, and a good introduction for new readers as well. It was very quick, and very enjoyable. I loved it!
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
This is a must-read for fans of the series, and a good introduction for new readers as well. It was very quick, and very enjoyable. I loved it!
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Bliss (book review)
Bliss, by Lauren Myracle, is the story of fourteen-year-old Bliss, who's spent most of her life on a commune with her hippie parents. But that's behind her, and now she's going to school at stately Crestview Academy. She's excited at first, but soon she begins to hear a voice...a voice that speaks of ghastly things. Bliss soon learns that something terrible is lurking on campus, and that it thirsts for blood...possibly hers. Her fellow classmates seem oblivious to the horrors around them, but, as Bliss soon learns, they are hiding secrets as well. And Bliss will soon be caught in the center of a grisly conflict that will inevitably end in somebody's death.
I really enjoyed this book at the beginning, but near the end it just got too disturbing for my taste. I stuck with it, though. I know the author, Lauren Myracle, has written many other books, and I bet they're probably pretty good. She just went a bit too far for my tastes in this book.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
I really enjoyed this book at the beginning, but near the end it just got too disturbing for my taste. I stuck with it, though. I know the author, Lauren Myracle, has written many other books, and I bet they're probably pretty good. She just went a bit too far for my tastes in this book.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Don't Know Where, Don't Know When (book review)
Don't Know Where, Don't Know When, by Annette Laing, is the story of three children and their time-travel adventure. For Hannah Dias and her brother Alex, life couldn't get any worse. They've moved from their home in California to boring Snipesville, Georgia, where nothing ever happens. Nothing changes when they meet Brandon, a weird kid whom Alex befriends.
But before they know it, the three kids are catapulted into World War II England. The food is gross, the adults are strict, and overall it's not much fun...at first. Hannah longs to return home, but Alex is slowly warming to this new environment. Brandon, meanwhile, is swept backwards in time to 1915. Why is he here? He doesn't know for sure, but what Brandon DOES know is that it has something to do with a person named George Braithwaite. And none of the kids can return home until they solve the mystery and find this boy.
I enjoyed this story overall. It hit a little bit of a drag in the middle, but it soon picked up again. This book made me eager to read the next in this series, called The Snipesville Chronicles.
But before they know it, the three kids are catapulted into World War II England. The food is gross, the adults are strict, and overall it's not much fun...at first. Hannah longs to return home, but Alex is slowly warming to this new environment. Brandon, meanwhile, is swept backwards in time to 1915. Why is he here? He doesn't know for sure, but what Brandon DOES know is that it has something to do with a person named George Braithwaite. And none of the kids can return home until they solve the mystery and find this boy.
I enjoyed this story overall. It hit a little bit of a drag in the middle, but it soon picked up again. This book made me eager to read the next in this series, called The Snipesville Chronicles.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Werewolves (book review)
Werewolves, edited by Jane Yolen and Martin H. Greenberg, is a collection of stories about, well, werewolves. The stories in this book are incredibly varied. In "Bad Blood", by Debra Doyle and J.D. Macdonald, a group of young backpackers is terrorized by a bloodthirsty werewolf in the middle of the night. Who would suspect that the one to save them would be...another werewolf? This was one of my favorite stories.
In "The Werewolf's Gift", by Ru Emerson, an old werewolf, stuck as an animal for the rest of his life, is given the choice to turn back into a man, but throws it away in order to save a young child. This was a heartwarming story, and I enjoyed it as well.
"The White Wolf", by Leigh Ann Hussey, is the story of a young boy, Kagwai, who wants nothing more than to earn an animal totem and learn the ability to change shape...that is, until he spends a few nights away from his village. He meets his grandfather, who has become totally obsessed with the change and spends most of his time in the shape of a wolf, and learns that shapeshifting can have its downsides. But in the end, when the fate of his entire village hangs in the balance, will Kagwai decide to embrace his destiny and his animal totem? This story was okay, but I didn't think it was great.
In "Not all Wolves" by Harry Turtledove, a thirteen-year-old werewolf tired of persecution finds solitude in a Jewish ghetto, living with a man who has been persecuted just as many times as he has. This story was also okay, but not great.
"Wolfskin", by Mary K. Whittington, is a futuristic werewolf story about a young boy named Gwehr, who has finally been admitted to the Hall of Shapeshifting! In this building, one can put on the "skin" of a creature (kraken, dragon, vampire, etc.) and, for a time, be transported into a virtual world where one IS that creature. Gwehr has been waiting forever for this day, but unfortunately the only creature left is a werewolf. But, once he's tried it, Gwehr decides that he loves roaming as a wolf, and he secretly takes the skin home with him. He slips it back on in his room, not expecting himself to actually change...but he does. He enters the enchanted world of the werewolf, and decides that he will never turn back into a boy...but when the sun rises, the magic fades, and in the end Gwehr has no choice but to part with the skin. I really enjoyed this story.
"Night Calls", by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel, is the story of a young girl whose village is being plagued by bloodthirsty werewolves. She longs to go out and fight them with her father, but, unfortunately, she's expected to stay home with her mother while her older brothers fight. Soon, all the werewolves are killed except one. But she never expected that werewolf would be...her brother. I didn't like this story that much.
"Wolf from the Door", by Elizabeth Scarborough, is the humorous story of a young girl, Lucy Garou, conducting a study on wolves. The only problem is--in the term paper she's trying to complete, Life Cycle of the Wolf, she's completely personified all the wolves she studied. And, as her professor reminds her, this is a scientific class, not a creative writing one. Basically, he's given her an F, and she isn't too happy, no matter how much Professor Forrest thinks she might deserve it. Because Lucy Garou has a good reason for personifying the wolves--she's one of them! And it's not wise to draw the wrath of a werewolf...we're left wondering what unhappy fate Professor Forrest will meet. This was a very funny story that left me hanging.
In "Monster Mash", by Sherwood Smith, a girl named Cat is a drummer in a school rock band called The Nerds...when she isn't running free in the shape of a wolf. But one night, a big concert coincides with the full moon. Good thing it's Halloween, because Cat has a plan. She'll pretend to be dressed in a costume the whole time! Can she be clever and resourceful enough to pull this off, or will the night end in disaster? This story was okay.
"The Passing of the Pack", by Bruce Coville, was the story of a young boy who's always had a strange connection with wolves. They seem to be there watching him whenever he turns around. And one day, when he is prosecuted and thrown in jail along with his friend, Wandis, the wolves come to rescue him, and take him to his mysterious father, who just happens to be a werewolf! And his father wants to pass the responsibility of leader of the wolf pack on to him! Will he accept his destiny, or will he remain human forever? This was an excellent story.
In "Flesh and Blood", by Marguerite W. Davol, Sally's spending her whole summer in a boring European village called Krev. But things start to get exciting when she discovers a chest full of clothes...along with a mysterious furry belt that seems to fit her just right. But when she tries the clothes on, she experiences an intense bloodlust and a painful change from a human to something in between human and wolf. The problem is that she can't seem to get the clothes off! Is she doomed to life as a bloody monster forever? This story was okay.
In "Green Messiah", by Jane Yolen, the ultimate science experiment is attempted as a girl is transformed into a wolf in order to gain important data that she couldn't have otherwise. But, once experiencing the wonderful change, she decides to throw her responsibilities to the wind and run free as a wolf forever. I loved this story!
"The Wolf's Flock", by Susan Shwartz, is the story of a young werewolf who wants to rid himself of his curse forever. He embarks on an incredibly long journey, accompanied by a group of children who are heading for the same place that he is. He grows to feel at home among them, and when their lives are threatened, he must reveal his secret in order to save them. I liked this story.
In "Met by Moonlight", by Anne E. Crompton, teenager Len wanders off on his snowmobile and gets lost in the snow. He meets a strange girl, who asks him about his life, and in turn tells him about hers. Len has come to the conclusion that she's crazy, babbling on and on about wolves, hunting, and blood...until she saves him from an angry wolf...by transforming into one herself! I didn't really enjoy this story.
"A Winter's Night", by Esther M. Friesner, is the tale of a lone Gypsy, whose companions were killed by Nazis, hiding out alone in a cemetery. At least, he thinks he's alone...until he finds a mysterious boy with a big secret...I did not like this story at all. It was very confusing and hard to understand. However, I have read Esther Friesner's book, Nobody's Princess, and I enjoyed that a great deal.
The final story in this book was "One Chance" by Charles de Lint. It is the story of a girl, Susanna, and her friend Billy. They are both unpopular at school, and they hate their lives. But Billy thinks he knows a way to get away from all this...using a bronze wolf figurine, he summons a mysterious wolf that beckons them to follow it to a better world. Billy gladly agrees, but Susanna pulls away at the last second, knowing she's doing the right thing, but feeling great pain inside to see Billy frolicking away with the wolf to a magical world. She knows that she'll never see him again, that this was her one chance...and now it was gone. This was a bittersweet story, and a good end to the book.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
In "The Werewolf's Gift", by Ru Emerson, an old werewolf, stuck as an animal for the rest of his life, is given the choice to turn back into a man, but throws it away in order to save a young child. This was a heartwarming story, and I enjoyed it as well.
"The White Wolf", by Leigh Ann Hussey, is the story of a young boy, Kagwai, who wants nothing more than to earn an animal totem and learn the ability to change shape...that is, until he spends a few nights away from his village. He meets his grandfather, who has become totally obsessed with the change and spends most of his time in the shape of a wolf, and learns that shapeshifting can have its downsides. But in the end, when the fate of his entire village hangs in the balance, will Kagwai decide to embrace his destiny and his animal totem? This story was okay, but I didn't think it was great.
In "Not all Wolves" by Harry Turtledove, a thirteen-year-old werewolf tired of persecution finds solitude in a Jewish ghetto, living with a man who has been persecuted just as many times as he has. This story was also okay, but not great.
"Wolfskin", by Mary K. Whittington, is a futuristic werewolf story about a young boy named Gwehr, who has finally been admitted to the Hall of Shapeshifting! In this building, one can put on the "skin" of a creature (kraken, dragon, vampire, etc.) and, for a time, be transported into a virtual world where one IS that creature. Gwehr has been waiting forever for this day, but unfortunately the only creature left is a werewolf. But, once he's tried it, Gwehr decides that he loves roaming as a wolf, and he secretly takes the skin home with him. He slips it back on in his room, not expecting himself to actually change...but he does. He enters the enchanted world of the werewolf, and decides that he will never turn back into a boy...but when the sun rises, the magic fades, and in the end Gwehr has no choice but to part with the skin. I really enjoyed this story.
"Night Calls", by Katharine Eliska Kimbriel, is the story of a young girl whose village is being plagued by bloodthirsty werewolves. She longs to go out and fight them with her father, but, unfortunately, she's expected to stay home with her mother while her older brothers fight. Soon, all the werewolves are killed except one. But she never expected that werewolf would be...her brother. I didn't like this story that much.
"Wolf from the Door", by Elizabeth Scarborough, is the humorous story of a young girl, Lucy Garou, conducting a study on wolves. The only problem is--in the term paper she's trying to complete, Life Cycle of the Wolf, she's completely personified all the wolves she studied. And, as her professor reminds her, this is a scientific class, not a creative writing one. Basically, he's given her an F, and she isn't too happy, no matter how much Professor Forrest thinks she might deserve it. Because Lucy Garou has a good reason for personifying the wolves--she's one of them! And it's not wise to draw the wrath of a werewolf...we're left wondering what unhappy fate Professor Forrest will meet. This was a very funny story that left me hanging.
In "Monster Mash", by Sherwood Smith, a girl named Cat is a drummer in a school rock band called The Nerds...when she isn't running free in the shape of a wolf. But one night, a big concert coincides with the full moon. Good thing it's Halloween, because Cat has a plan. She'll pretend to be dressed in a costume the whole time! Can she be clever and resourceful enough to pull this off, or will the night end in disaster? This story was okay.
"The Passing of the Pack", by Bruce Coville, was the story of a young boy who's always had a strange connection with wolves. They seem to be there watching him whenever he turns around. And one day, when he is prosecuted and thrown in jail along with his friend, Wandis, the wolves come to rescue him, and take him to his mysterious father, who just happens to be a werewolf! And his father wants to pass the responsibility of leader of the wolf pack on to him! Will he accept his destiny, or will he remain human forever? This was an excellent story.
In "Flesh and Blood", by Marguerite W. Davol, Sally's spending her whole summer in a boring European village called Krev. But things start to get exciting when she discovers a chest full of clothes...along with a mysterious furry belt that seems to fit her just right. But when she tries the clothes on, she experiences an intense bloodlust and a painful change from a human to something in between human and wolf. The problem is that she can't seem to get the clothes off! Is she doomed to life as a bloody monster forever? This story was okay.
In "Green Messiah", by Jane Yolen, the ultimate science experiment is attempted as a girl is transformed into a wolf in order to gain important data that she couldn't have otherwise. But, once experiencing the wonderful change, she decides to throw her responsibilities to the wind and run free as a wolf forever. I loved this story!
"The Wolf's Flock", by Susan Shwartz, is the story of a young werewolf who wants to rid himself of his curse forever. He embarks on an incredibly long journey, accompanied by a group of children who are heading for the same place that he is. He grows to feel at home among them, and when their lives are threatened, he must reveal his secret in order to save them. I liked this story.
In "Met by Moonlight", by Anne E. Crompton, teenager Len wanders off on his snowmobile and gets lost in the snow. He meets a strange girl, who asks him about his life, and in turn tells him about hers. Len has come to the conclusion that she's crazy, babbling on and on about wolves, hunting, and blood...until she saves him from an angry wolf...by transforming into one herself! I didn't really enjoy this story.
"A Winter's Night", by Esther M. Friesner, is the tale of a lone Gypsy, whose companions were killed by Nazis, hiding out alone in a cemetery. At least, he thinks he's alone...until he finds a mysterious boy with a big secret...I did not like this story at all. It was very confusing and hard to understand. However, I have read Esther Friesner's book, Nobody's Princess, and I enjoyed that a great deal.
The final story in this book was "One Chance" by Charles de Lint. It is the story of a girl, Susanna, and her friend Billy. They are both unpopular at school, and they hate their lives. But Billy thinks he knows a way to get away from all this...using a bronze wolf figurine, he summons a mysterious wolf that beckons them to follow it to a better world. Billy gladly agrees, but Susanna pulls away at the last second, knowing she's doing the right thing, but feeling great pain inside to see Billy frolicking away with the wolf to a magical world. She knows that she'll never see him again, that this was her one chance...and now it was gone. This was a bittersweet story, and a good end to the book.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Saving the World and other Extreme Sports (book review)
Saving the World and other Extreme Sports, by James Patterson, is the third installment in the Maximum Ride series. Max and her friends, Fang, Iggy, the Gasman (or Gazzy), Nudge, and Angel, are six kids who have escaped from a horrible laboratory called the School. Bird DNA was grafted into their bodies when they were infants, so now they have wings and can fly. Max and the "flock" were happy to sit back and relax after their escape, but they soon found out that the School was in league with an organization called Itex, who planned to wipe out almost everyone on Earth and create a new, better "super-race". As it turned out, Max and her friends were the only ones who could stop them.
Now Max and her friends have been captured, and are back at the horrible School once again. And it turns out one of them just might be a traitor. But who? Have Max and her friends finally met their end?
I thought this book was really good. It was action-packed, and the plot was intricately developed. There were a ton of cliffhangers, and it kept me guessing at every turn.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Sci-Fi Experience.
Now Max and her friends have been captured, and are back at the horrible School once again. And it turns out one of them just might be a traitor. But who? Have Max and her friends finally met their end?
I thought this book was really good. It was action-packed, and the plot was intricately developed. There were a ton of cliffhangers, and it kept me guessing at every turn.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Sci-Fi Experience.
Friday, February 06, 2009
A Bottle in the Gaza Sea (book review)
In A Bottle in the Gaza Sea, by Valerie Zenatti, 17-year-old Tal Levine, who lives in Israel, decides to ask her brother to throw a bottle into the Gaza Sea, with a message inside of it. She expects a Palestinian girl about her age to discover it. What she doesn't expect is Gazaman, a witty twenty-year-old boy who mocks Tal at first, but gradually begins to befriend her. They begin exchanging emails, learning not only about each other but also a great deal about themselves.
This was a very moving book. I was sad when it was over. I learned a lot about the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians while reading it, too. As it says on the jacket of the book, this was "a modern-day Romeo-and-Juliet tale for the third millennium."
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
This was a very moving book. I was sad when it was over. I learned a lot about the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians while reading it, too. As it says on the jacket of the book, this was "a modern-day Romeo-and-Juliet tale for the third millennium."
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
The Dog with Golden Eyes (book review)
The Dog With Golden Eyes, by Frances Wilbur, is the story of Cassie, a girl who has always wanted a dog. But her mother is too busy to take care of a dog, and besides, who would pay for it? Feed it? Care for it? With Cassie away at school and her mother away at work, there would be no one left to watch the dog. But one day, when Cassie is sitting in her backyard, a beautiful snow-white dog wanders into her yard. Cassie immediately decides that she will be the one to take care of him. even if she has to get a job (or two) to pay for all the food he eats.
But soon Cassie learns that Toklata, as she has named him, is not a dog at all--he's a runaway Arctic wolf! Can Cassie afford to take care of a wolf? And can she protect Toklata from animal control and the hunters who want to kill him?
This was a quick read, but it was very good. I think children who are interested in animals would love reading this book. It was filled with facts about wolves and their behavior.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
But soon Cassie learns that Toklata, as she has named him, is not a dog at all--he's a runaway Arctic wolf! Can Cassie afford to take care of a wolf? And can she protect Toklata from animal control and the hunters who want to kill him?
This was a quick read, but it was very good. I think children who are interested in animals would love reading this book. It was filled with facts about wolves and their behavior.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sweethearts (book review)
Sweethearts, by Sara Zarr, is the story of two childhood friends, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick. When they were younger, Jennifer and Cameron were both outcasts, and all they had was each other. Then one day, Cameron disappeared without a word, and Jennifer was led to believe that he was dead. She had no choice but to move on.
Now, in high school, Jennifer--now known as Jenna Vaughn--is popular, dating, and completely happy--that is, until Cameron returns. His decision to come back causes Jenna to think about a part of her life she always tried to ignore--something that happened, long ago, on her ninth birthday. Something horrible that only she, Cameron, and his father were a part of. The return of her once-best friend means something much, much more to Jenna--and it forces her to bring back a part of the past that was better left forgotten.
I loved this book. It was quick, suspenseful, and bittersweet. It kept me reading down to the very last page. It's a good thing I have another book by Sara Zarr to read!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Now, in high school, Jennifer--now known as Jenna Vaughn--is popular, dating, and completely happy--that is, until Cameron returns. His decision to come back causes Jenna to think about a part of her life she always tried to ignore--something that happened, long ago, on her ninth birthday. Something horrible that only she, Cameron, and his father were a part of. The return of her once-best friend means something much, much more to Jenna--and it forces her to bring back a part of the past that was better left forgotten.
I loved this book. It was quick, suspenseful, and bittersweet. It kept me reading down to the very last page. It's a good thing I have another book by Sara Zarr to read!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Support Your Local Library Challenge.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Breaking Dawn (book review)
*The following review contains SPOILERS.*
Breaking Dawn, the final book in the famous Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer, chronicles the story of Bella, and of her werewolf friend, Jacob. Bella and her husband Edward, a vampire, sail away to a remote island to spend their honeymoon, but their time there is cut short when it is revealed that Bella is pregnant. Neither Edward nor anyone in his family has seen anything like the creature growing in Bella's stomach--half-human, half-vampire. Its heart beats, but it thirsts for blood.
Jacob is alarmed and disgusted by Bella's unborn child--and so is his pack. The alpha wolf, Sam, plans a surprise attack on Edward's family, bent on destroying the baby--as well as Bella. Jacob, along with two loyal companions, rushes to warn the vampires, thwarting the werewolves' ambush and forcing him to break his bond with the pack--for good. But it becomes clearer and clearer that if the baby survives, Bella will die. This forces Edward to make the ultimate decision--a decision that will change the lives of everyone, vampire and werewolf alike, forever, and a decision that will awaken the wrath of the Volturi, the most powerful vampire family in the world.
I thought this was a great end to the series. I know some people thought it was disappointing, but I enjoyed it right down to the very last word. I'm very sad that this series is over, and I'm sure I'll be rereading these books in the future!
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the What's In A Name 2 Challenge.
Breaking Dawn, the final book in the famous Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer, chronicles the story of Bella, and of her werewolf friend, Jacob. Bella and her husband Edward, a vampire, sail away to a remote island to spend their honeymoon, but their time there is cut short when it is revealed that Bella is pregnant. Neither Edward nor anyone in his family has seen anything like the creature growing in Bella's stomach--half-human, half-vampire. Its heart beats, but it thirsts for blood.
Jacob is alarmed and disgusted by Bella's unborn child--and so is his pack. The alpha wolf, Sam, plans a surprise attack on Edward's family, bent on destroying the baby--as well as Bella. Jacob, along with two loyal companions, rushes to warn the vampires, thwarting the werewolves' ambush and forcing him to break his bond with the pack--for good. But it becomes clearer and clearer that if the baby survives, Bella will die. This forces Edward to make the ultimate decision--a decision that will change the lives of everyone, vampire and werewolf alike, forever, and a decision that will awaken the wrath of the Volturi, the most powerful vampire family in the world.
I thought this was a great end to the series. I know some people thought it was disappointing, but I enjoyed it right down to the very last word. I'm very sad that this series is over, and I'm sure I'll be rereading these books in the future!
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the What's In A Name 2 Challenge.
Friday, January 23, 2009
New Challenge
I am joining the Support Your Local Library Challenge. It sounds so fun! All you have to do is read at least 12 books from your local library! I just picked up my first three to read!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Quick Update
I am going to read a different book than Scholastic Book of World Records 2009 for the Dewey Decimal Challenge, because it was just too boring to read straight through.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Manga Challenge Wrap-up Post
I had so much fun doing the Manga Challenge! I read a lot of great books. Thank you, Rhinoa, and I hope you host it again next year!
I read six manga books for this challenge:
Tokyo Mew Mew books 1 and 2
Fruits Basket 2
Dream Saga 3
Vampire Kisses 1
Avalon High 1
Again, I enjoyed this so much! My favorite read was the first Tokyo Mew Mew book, and my least favorite was Dream Saga 3.
I read six manga books for this challenge:
Tokyo Mew Mew books 1 and 2
Fruits Basket 2
Dream Saga 3
Vampire Kisses 1
Avalon High 1
Again, I enjoyed this so much! My favorite read was the first Tokyo Mew Mew book, and my least favorite was Dream Saga 3.
Tokyo Mew Mew Books 1 and 2 (book review)
Tokyo Mew Mew, by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida, is a manga series about five young female superheroes. In the first book, we are introduced to the main character, Ichigo. While she is on a date with the guy of her dreams, she (and four other girls) are involved in a freak accident that merges their DNA with the DNA of five endangered species. These five girls have become the Mew Mews, and their job is to fight evil aliens that are trying to take over the world by infecting Earth's animals with deadly parasites, turning them into rampaging monsters called kirema animas.
Ichigo has been fused with the genes of an iriomote cat. Now, she can turn into an alien-fighting superhero with cat ears and a cat tail whenever she wants! But it's Ichigo's job to find the other four Mew Mews. One is a super-rich snob, named Mint, who wants nothing to do with Ichigo. She has fused with an ultramarine lorakeet. The other is a lonely girl who will take her anger out on Mint and Ichigo when in her Mew Mew form (she merged with a finless porpoise). Could these three ever join together as a team?
In book two, the other characters' identities are revealed. One is Pudding, an acrobatic, friendly girl who loves to make money and whose genes were fused with a golden lion tamarin's. The other is a beautiful model, Zakuro, who is fused with a gray wolf. The problem is, Zakuro wants nothing to do with the rest of the Mew Mews. Can the four girls convince their final partner to join them in time to save the world?
I really enjoyed these books. They went very fast, and they were exciting and engaging. I think I liked the first one better than the second, however. I give the first book 4 out of 5 stars, and the second 3.5 out of 5 stars.
These books were both for the Manga Challenge and for the Sci-Fi Experience.
Ichigo has been fused with the genes of an iriomote cat. Now, she can turn into an alien-fighting superhero with cat ears and a cat tail whenever she wants! But it's Ichigo's job to find the other four Mew Mews. One is a super-rich snob, named Mint, who wants nothing to do with Ichigo. She has fused with an ultramarine lorakeet. The other is a lonely girl who will take her anger out on Mint and Ichigo when in her Mew Mew form (she merged with a finless porpoise). Could these three ever join together as a team?
In book two, the other characters' identities are revealed. One is Pudding, an acrobatic, friendly girl who loves to make money and whose genes were fused with a golden lion tamarin's. The other is a beautiful model, Zakuro, who is fused with a gray wolf. The problem is, Zakuro wants nothing to do with the rest of the Mew Mews. Can the four girls convince their final partner to join them in time to save the world?
I really enjoyed these books. They went very fast, and they were exciting and engaging. I think I liked the first one better than the second, however. I give the first book 4 out of 5 stars, and the second 3.5 out of 5 stars.
These books were both for the Manga Challenge and for the Sci-Fi Experience.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Dream Saga #3 (book review)
Dream Saga #3, by Megumi Tachikawa, is the story of fifth-grader Yuuki, and five of her friends, who are destined to save the dream world (known as Takamagahara) from destruction. Yuuki and four of the others have "magic stones", which allow them to remember their time in Takamagahara even while they are in our world. The fifth boy, Takaomi, although he does not have a magic stone and therefore doesn't remember his time in the dream world (and in the same way his dream-self doesn't remember the time spent in the normal world), has been told of the events that are transpiring, and knows the secrets of the magic stones.
In this book, Yuuki and her friends are at the palace of Shinoukyu, trying to convince intrepid Miss Kaya (who happens to be their teacher in the real world) to join their quest. She has something that they need, and would be a useful addition to the group. But when Kaya is kidnapped by giant, angry insects, Takaomi finds himself bribed by her wicked father into going to rescue her alone. Because Kaya's father happens to have a sixth magic stone, and according to him, Takaomi can have it if he rescues Kaya. Takaomi, who longs to fit in, accepts. But can he save Kaya all alone? And even if he can, will her father pay up?
I enjoyed the plot of this book. It was suspenseful, interesting, and unique. But the drawings were confusing, and they often blended into one another. Sometimes I had to read a section over once or twice to understand what was going on. That is why I only give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Manga Challenge.
In this book, Yuuki and her friends are at the palace of Shinoukyu, trying to convince intrepid Miss Kaya (who happens to be their teacher in the real world) to join their quest. She has something that they need, and would be a useful addition to the group. But when Kaya is kidnapped by giant, angry insects, Takaomi finds himself bribed by her wicked father into going to rescue her alone. Because Kaya's father happens to have a sixth magic stone, and according to him, Takaomi can have it if he rescues Kaya. Takaomi, who longs to fit in, accepts. But can he save Kaya all alone? And even if he can, will her father pay up?
I enjoyed the plot of this book. It was suspenseful, interesting, and unique. But the drawings were confusing, and they often blended into one another. Sometimes I had to read a section over once or twice to understand what was going on. That is why I only give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Manga Challenge.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Fruits Basket Book Two (book review)
Fruits Basket Book Two, by Natsuki Takaya, is the story of orphan Tohru Honda, and the enigmatic Sohma family. Three of the Sohmas-- Shigure, Kyo, and Yuki--have taken Tohru in, and they have let her know their terrible secret. Several of the members of the family are possessed with the vengeful spirits of the animals of the Zodiac, and whenever one of those people is weak or is hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they transform. Tohru has promised to keep their power a secret, but will she be able to when her best friends come over to spend the night? Especially when one of them is a psychic?
I enjoyed this book a great deal, but not as much as the first one. It was a bit more confusing, but other than that it was a wonderful story!
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Manga Challenge.
I enjoyed this book a great deal, but not as much as the first one. It was a bit more confusing, but other than that it was a wonderful story!
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Manga Challenge.
Gods and Generals (book review)
Gods and Generals, by Jeff Shaara, is a prequel of sorts to The Killer Angels. Although it is a fiction book, the historical information is factual. It delves into the lives of famous Civil War leaders such as Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, and Joshua Chamberlain. Although there are many Civil War books that describe these characters in detail, none are like Gods and Generals...within the pages of this book, these men come alive.
In this book, Jeff Shaara studies the lives of the men in a time range beginning in 1858 and ending in June of 1863. The Killer Angels, his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, picks up right where Gods and Generals left off (though they were written in reverse). The battles in these pages--Williamsburg, Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville--seem vividly real. The reader is present, breathing in the smoke and hearing the sounds of dying men on the battlefield. This was overall a great book, and it made me eager to reread The Killer Angels .
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the What's In A Name 2 Challenge.
In this book, Jeff Shaara studies the lives of the men in a time range beginning in 1858 and ending in June of 1863. The Killer Angels, his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, picks up right where Gods and Generals left off (though they were written in reverse). The battles in these pages--Williamsburg, Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville--seem vividly real. The reader is present, breathing in the smoke and hearing the sounds of dying men on the battlefield. This was overall a great book, and it made me eager to reread The Killer Angels .
I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the What's In A Name 2 Challenge.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The United States Constitution (book review)
The United States Constitution, by Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell, is the story of our US Constitution, from the Preamble right down to the twenty-seventh amendment. With fantastic illustrations and wonderful prose, this book gives the reader an in-depth look at the powers and responsibilities of the government. In great detail it describes the three branches of federal government, and their duties. The power of the state government is outlined as well. This is a wonderful guide to the Constitution and the United States government, and anybody can read it. It is quick, easy to understand, and packed full of useful information!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Graphic Novel Challenge '09.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Graphic Novel Challenge '09.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Young Adult Challenge 2009
I am joining the Young Adult Challenge 2009! I know this one will be fun! Here is a list of possibilities:
Leonardo's Shadow by Christopher Grey
Hunted by N.M. Browne
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Mariller
Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah
The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane
Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson
Part of Me by Kimberly Willis Holt
Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman
Leonardo's Shadow by Christopher Grey
Hunted by N.M. Browne
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Mariller
Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah
The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane
Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson
Part of Me by Kimberly Willis Holt
Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy (book review)
Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy, by Meg Cabot, is the story of high school student Ellie and her boyfriend Will. Will just happens to be the reincarnation of King Arthur. Ellie herself might in fact be the reincarnation of the famous Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend. And one of her teachers, Mr. Morton (or Merlin), is a long-lost member of the Order of the Bear, a group of scientists and historians dedicated to finding King Arthur's reincarnation. But now that they finally have, a new problem has come up...Will doesn't believe that he is King Arthur reincarnated. And in order for him to save the world from a horrible fate, he has to accept his destiny once and for all. What can Ellie do to convince him that the power in his hands is real?
I greatly enjoyed this book and would like to read the original novel someday soon. I would recommend this book to fans of Arthurian legend and fantasy manga.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Manga Challenge.
I greatly enjoyed this book and would like to read the original novel someday soon. I would recommend this book to fans of Arthurian legend and fantasy manga.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Manga Challenge.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Drugs Explained (book review)
Drugs Explained, by Pierre Mezinski, is a nonfiction book written especially for preteens and teens about the harmful effects of drugs. Mezinski has written a very kid-friendly yet informative book on the dangers of drugs, both ones we see every day like tobacco and alcohol, and illegal drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and ecstacy. I thought it was a very useful, interesting book--easy to read, engaging, and filled with facts. It also had a little fictional story in it, called Emily's journal, about a girl and her encounters with peer pressure and drugs. I can imagine how many kids could relate to Emily, and this makes the book even more inviting.
I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Dewey Decimal Challenge. (362.29)
I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is for the Dewey Decimal Challenge. (362.29)
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives (book review)
Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, is a manga story written by Ellen Schreiber and illustrated by Rem. It is the story of goth-girl Raven and her vampire boyfriend, Alexander. Just when seems as if their relationship is finally going smoothly, Alexander's cousin, Claude, and his gang of half-vampires shows up. And now they're trying to blackmail Raven into betraying Alexander. Will she become a traitor to her boyfriend, or will her friend Becky end up as a snack for Claude and his friends?
I realize this is a short review, but it was a very short book. I enjoyed it, and I would like to read the original novel, Vampire Kisses. I also hope to continue reading the Manga series.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
(This book is for the Manga Challenge.)
I realize this is a short review, but it was a very short book. I enjoyed it, and I would like to read the original novel, Vampire Kisses. I also hope to continue reading the Manga series.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
(This book is for the Manga Challenge.)
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Patriots, Pirates, Heroes, and Spies (book review)
Patriots, Pirates, Heroes, and Spies, edited by Sandra Mackenzie Lloyd, is a collection of true stories about the city of Philadelphia. This book is filled with stories of runaway slaves, war heroes, fancy parties...and even a cow! My favorite two stories were about Lydia Darrugh, a spy for the Patriots during the American Revolution, and about Oney Judge, an escaped slave. There was also a story about how Girl Scout Cookies got their start which I found interesting.
I enjoyed this book fairly well, although it was a little bit below my level. It was interesting, and I learned quite a bit from it. I think younger kids interested in history would get a lot out of it.
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
I enjoyed this book fairly well, although it was a little bit below my level. It was interesting, and I learned quite a bit from it. I think younger kids interested in history would get a lot out of it.
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Another Challenge
I am also joining the Dewey Decimal Challenge. I can't wait to start this one, too! It sounds so fun! You just have to read one book from each category:
000 - Generalities
100 - Philosophy and Psychology
200 - Religion
300 - Social Sciences
400 - Language
500 - Natural Sciences + Math
600 - Technology
700 - The Arts
800 - Literature and Rhetoric
900 - Geography and History
000 - Generalities
100 - Philosophy and Psychology
200 - Religion
300 - Social Sciences
400 - Language
500 - Natural Sciences + Math
600 - Technology
700 - The Arts
800 - Literature and Rhetoric
900 - Geography and History
The World War II Challenge
I am excited to join the World War II Challenge as well! I don't have a definite list yet, but I know I'll be reading a lot of good books for this challenge. I'm committing to at least 7 books.
Joining the Manga Challenge
I'm excited to join the Manga Challenge, hosted by Rhinoa. Here is my list:
Fruits Basket #2 by Natsuki Takaya
Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy by Meg Cabot
Tokyo Mew Mew #1 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida
Tokyo Mew Mew #2 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida
Dream Saga #3 by Megumi Tachikawa
Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives by Ellen Schreiber and Rem
Fruits Basket #2 by Natsuki Takaya
Avalon High Coronation: The Merlin Prophecy by Meg Cabot
Tokyo Mew Mew #1 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida
Tokyo Mew Mew #2 by Mia Ikumi and Reiko Yoshida
Dream Saga #3 by Megumi Tachikawa
Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives by Ellen Schreiber and Rem
Monday, January 05, 2009
Another Excerpt from "Catseye"
“Come on! We don’t have much time!” hissed Zabora. Confused, the dogs turned in the direction Sakura had gone and followed her. They stopped to linger a moment, just in case it was a trick, but Zabora, Will, and Kylie stayed hidden with the Catseye’s magic. Once the guards were gone, Zabora hurriedly led them back behind the remaining two guards, far enough so that they weren’t noticed, but close enough so that they were still on the right path.
Finally, to Kylie’s astonishment, she set foot on solid ground. She was in a peaceful field, filled with tiny gold and purple flowers. “Welcome to the Gods’ Realm,” Zabora said proudly. “It is pretty, isn’t it?”
Kylie nodded and looked at Will, but he wasn’t there. He was picking the flowers and sniffing them. Kylie laughed. He looked so ridiculous. But he looked even more ridiculous when…he turned into a purple monkey!
“Aaah!” Kylie shouted, jumping back. Will looked at himself in astonishment. Behind them, Zabora was doubled over with laughter.
“What happened to him?” Kylie demanded.
“Those are shape-shifting flowers,” Zabora explained, still laughing. “When you sniff them, you change shape. It is impossible to know what you will turn into.”
“Well, how does he turn back?” Kylie asked firmly. She didn’t think it was very funny…okay, it was, but they didn’t have time for distractions.
Zabora shrugged. “I think he is stuck that way until they wear off.” Behind them, Will made a groaning sound.
“How long is it until they wear off?” Kylie asked, fearing the answer.
“I do not know, but he might find a more reasonable shape with which to approach Anubis and Bastet.”
Snorting, Will picked another flower with his monkey paws and sniffed it. It turned him into a rabbit. Zabora shook her head, so he sniffed another one. This time he appeared as a fox.
She nodded. “The foxes are his people, too. He will be satisfied.” By "him" Kylie assumed Zabora meant Anubis.
Will-fox trotted beside Kylie, who was careful not to sniff any flowers. Zabora was still laughing and floating lazily across the ground.
“Are there any other dangers we have to watch out for?” Kylie asked, irritated.
Zabora nodded. “There are many, but hopefully we will not run into any of them.”
That didn’t sound very reassuring, but Kylie didn’t say anything.
After they left the field, Zabora led them through a forest. It was thick and dark, and Kylie felt uncomfortable. Will-fox, however, was right at home. He chased after every noise, soon returning to the task at hand before running off again.
“I just remembered something else about the shape-shifting flowers,” Zabora said. “As more and more time passes, the person under the spell becomes more and more like what they’ve become. If it takes more than one hour for them to turn back, they’re stuck as an animal forever…and nothing can turn them back, not even the power of the gods.”
And so Will-fox was added to Kylie’s growing list of concerns.
Though the forest was very disconcerting, they soon passed out of it, and entered another field. This one wasn’t filled with flowers, instead tall stalks of wheat waved lazily in the breeze. “How big is the Gods’ Realm?” Kylie asked in exasperation.
“Very big,” Zabora said. “No one, not even the gods themselves, have reached every corner of it. But I know where they are, and we do not have far left to go, so do not worry.”
Finally, to Kylie’s astonishment, she set foot on solid ground. She was in a peaceful field, filled with tiny gold and purple flowers. “Welcome to the Gods’ Realm,” Zabora said proudly. “It is pretty, isn’t it?”
Kylie nodded and looked at Will, but he wasn’t there. He was picking the flowers and sniffing them. Kylie laughed. He looked so ridiculous. But he looked even more ridiculous when…he turned into a purple monkey!
“Aaah!” Kylie shouted, jumping back. Will looked at himself in astonishment. Behind them, Zabora was doubled over with laughter.
“What happened to him?” Kylie demanded.
“Those are shape-shifting flowers,” Zabora explained, still laughing. “When you sniff them, you change shape. It is impossible to know what you will turn into.”
“Well, how does he turn back?” Kylie asked firmly. She didn’t think it was very funny…okay, it was, but they didn’t have time for distractions.
Zabora shrugged. “I think he is stuck that way until they wear off.” Behind them, Will made a groaning sound.
“How long is it until they wear off?” Kylie asked, fearing the answer.
“I do not know, but he might find a more reasonable shape with which to approach Anubis and Bastet.”
Snorting, Will picked another flower with his monkey paws and sniffed it. It turned him into a rabbit. Zabora shook her head, so he sniffed another one. This time he appeared as a fox.
She nodded. “The foxes are his people, too. He will be satisfied.” By "him" Kylie assumed Zabora meant Anubis.
Will-fox trotted beside Kylie, who was careful not to sniff any flowers. Zabora was still laughing and floating lazily across the ground.
“Are there any other dangers we have to watch out for?” Kylie asked, irritated.
Zabora nodded. “There are many, but hopefully we will not run into any of them.”
That didn’t sound very reassuring, but Kylie didn’t say anything.
After they left the field, Zabora led them through a forest. It was thick and dark, and Kylie felt uncomfortable. Will-fox, however, was right at home. He chased after every noise, soon returning to the task at hand before running off again.
“I just remembered something else about the shape-shifting flowers,” Zabora said. “As more and more time passes, the person under the spell becomes more and more like what they’ve become. If it takes more than one hour for them to turn back, they’re stuck as an animal forever…and nothing can turn them back, not even the power of the gods.”
And so Will-fox was added to Kylie’s growing list of concerns.
Though the forest was very disconcerting, they soon passed out of it, and entered another field. This one wasn’t filled with flowers, instead tall stalks of wheat waved lazily in the breeze. “How big is the Gods’ Realm?” Kylie asked in exasperation.
“Very big,” Zabora said. “No one, not even the gods themselves, have reached every corner of it. But I know where they are, and we do not have far left to go, so do not worry.”
Tagged for Another Meme
Thank you, Valentina, for tagging me! And thank you, Eva, for coming up with such a fun meme!
The book that’s been on your shelves the longest:
The Children's Hour set of books, which my mother passed along to me when I was very small. They're a little tattered, because she owned them when she was a kid, but they're very special to me.
A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):
Classic Poems to Read Aloud, which reminds me of my grandfather. It was the last thing he gave me before he died. This book is also extremely special.
A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):
Jean, who happens to be my "cousin", went to the National Book Festival and got to meet Neil Gaiman. Instead of getting a signed book for herself, she bought Coraline and had him sign it for me! Wasn't that sooooooo nice?
The most recent addition to your shelves:
Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane. I've been wanting that book for quite some time now, and I was excited when I finally had enough money to buy it.
A book that’s been with you to the most places:
I can't really answer that one. I don't bring my favorite books on vacation, I just bring several that I want to read.
A bonus book that you want to talk about but doesn’t fit into the other questions:
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. It is my all-time favorite book! It's about a girl, Lyra Belacqua, who lives in an alternate universe similar to ours, but here everyone is accompanied by a magical creature called a daemon, who is like your soul. When she hears about a wicked experiment station in the north, called Bolvangar, where mysterious and unpleasant things are happening to children and their daemons, Lyra goes on a quest to save them. I recently got the movie, and I can't wait to watch it again! It's also time for a re-read!
Now, as for tagging people:
Nymeth
Chris
Dad
Jean
The book that’s been on your shelves the longest:
The Children's Hour set of books, which my mother passed along to me when I was very small. They're a little tattered, because she owned them when she was a kid, but they're very special to me.
A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):
Classic Poems to Read Aloud, which reminds me of my grandfather. It was the last thing he gave me before he died. This book is also extremely special.
A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):
Jean, who happens to be my "cousin", went to the National Book Festival and got to meet Neil Gaiman. Instead of getting a signed book for herself, she bought Coraline and had him sign it for me! Wasn't that sooooooo nice?
The most recent addition to your shelves:
Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane. I've been wanting that book for quite some time now, and I was excited when I finally had enough money to buy it.
A book that’s been with you to the most places:
I can't really answer that one. I don't bring my favorite books on vacation, I just bring several that I want to read.
A bonus book that you want to talk about but doesn’t fit into the other questions:
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. It is my all-time favorite book! It's about a girl, Lyra Belacqua, who lives in an alternate universe similar to ours, but here everyone is accompanied by a magical creature called a daemon, who is like your soul. When she hears about a wicked experiment station in the north, called Bolvangar, where mysterious and unpleasant things are happening to children and their daemons, Lyra goes on a quest to save them. I recently got the movie, and I can't wait to watch it again! It's also time for a re-read!
Now, as for tagging people:
Nymeth
Chris
Dad
Jean
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Excerpt from "Catseye"
Several people have been asking me to post excerpts from my NaNo story, and even though I haven't completely finished my rough draft yet, here is the first excerpt:
Kylie felt queasy in her stomach. Something felt bad about that place, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. And the path to the west was a dead end. It seemed to Kylie that the abandoned city was much bigger than it had been before the Time Freeze. Like Naire had said, the true nature of the place was surfacing. The old city wasn’t nearly as safe as it used to be.
Naire gave Kylie an impudent look and started to make her way down the alley to the south. Kylie sighed and followed her. Gull, Anemone, and Will trotted behind them uneasily.
There was a putrid smell about the place, a mix of blood and old, rotting wood. Rats slithered in the shadows, and a slimy fungus grew on the walls. Kylie covered her nose so that she wouldn’t have to smell such filth. She wasn’t the kind of girl who was squeamish, but this place was enough to make anyone gag.
Naire suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes were wide with fear. There was a new smell in the air, something Kylie and Will had never encountered before…but the animals had.
Tune back soon for another excerpt!!!
Kylie felt queasy in her stomach. Something felt bad about that place, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. And the path to the west was a dead end. It seemed to Kylie that the abandoned city was much bigger than it had been before the Time Freeze. Like Naire had said, the true nature of the place was surfacing. The old city wasn’t nearly as safe as it used to be.
Naire gave Kylie an impudent look and started to make her way down the alley to the south. Kylie sighed and followed her. Gull, Anemone, and Will trotted behind them uneasily.
There was a putrid smell about the place, a mix of blood and old, rotting wood. Rats slithered in the shadows, and a slimy fungus grew on the walls. Kylie covered her nose so that she wouldn’t have to smell such filth. She wasn’t the kind of girl who was squeamish, but this place was enough to make anyone gag.
Naire suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes were wide with fear. There was a new smell in the air, something Kylie and Will had never encountered before…but the animals had.
Tune back soon for another excerpt!!!
Nod's Limbs (book review)
Nod's Limbs, by Charles Ogden is one of several books about two mischievous twins named Edgar and Ellen. They wear old, ratty footie pajamas and live in a gothic tower on the edge of the forest. And they're always pranking the innocent citizens of their town. When the will of Augustus Nod, founder of the town, is discovered behind a painting, it gives the townspeople six difficult riddles to solve. Whoever solves the riddles will discover the location of Nod's golden limbs (his golden statue's limbs, that is, not his REAL limbs). Suddenly the normally peaceful townspeople have gone mad with gold fever! Edgar and Ellen are determined to have the limbs for themselves, but in their quest to get rich, they end up unearthing something MUCH more important.
I enjoyed this book fairly well. It was cute, and it provided plenty of laughs. Although at times I felt as if it was just a little bit too outlandish, over all it was pretty good. It was a very quick read, which is nice sometimes. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars, as you'll see if you check my "Books I've Read In 2009" list.
This book is for my What's In A Name Challenge as well as for the 999 Challenge, in my "Books Borrowed from Gray" category.
I enjoyed this book fairly well. It was cute, and it provided plenty of laughs. Although at times I felt as if it was just a little bit too outlandish, over all it was pretty good. It was a very quick read, which is nice sometimes. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars, as you'll see if you check my "Books I've Read In 2009" list.
This book is for my What's In A Name Challenge as well as for the 999 Challenge, in my "Books Borrowed from Gray" category.
Joining the Graphic Novels Challenge
I am excited to say I am joining YET ANOTHER challenge today, the Graphic Novel Challenge hosted by Laza. I don't have the exact list yet, but I know I will be doing the Minor level with 6 books. I can't wait to start!
Joining the Sci-Fi Experience
Last year's Sci-Fi Experience hosted by Carl was so much fun, and I can't wait to get started this year. For this one, I'm going to try to read AT LEAST three books. I'm not sure exactly which ones, yet.
Joining a New Challenge
I am joining the 999 Challenge. Basically, these are the rules--come up with nine categories and read nine books for each of them. You have until September 9. You can overlap books from other challenges. You can also overlap nine books within the challenge (in other words, you can choose nine books to use for more than one category). Here are my categories:
Re-reads:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7
8.
9.
Borrowed from Gray:
1.Nod's Limbs by Charles Ogden
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Borrowed from Mom:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Fantasy featuring animals:
1. Long Shadows by Erin Hunter
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Historical fiction:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Nonfiction:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Realistic fiction:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Authors that are new to me:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Novellas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Re-reads:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7
8.
9.
Borrowed from Gray:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Borrowed from Mom:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Fantasy featuring animals:
1. Long Shadows by Erin Hunter
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Historical fiction:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Nonfiction:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Realistic fiction:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Authors that are new to me:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Novellas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Books Read in 2008
Here's a list of the books I read this year:
202. The Myrtles Plantation: The True Story of America's Most Haunted House by Frances Kermeen (12/31/08)
201. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (12/28/08)
200. Deep Wizardry by Diane Duane (12/24/08)
199. The Great God Pan by Donna Jo Napoli (12/23/08)
198. Best Dog Stories by varied authors (12/23/08)
197. The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (12/22/08)
196. A Stillness at Appomattox by Bruce Catton (12/20/08)
195. Song of the Wanderer by Bruce Coville (12/5/08)
194. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (11/26/08)
193. Picture Bride by Yoshiko Uchida (11/19/08)
192. Dream Saga #1 by Megumi Tachikawa (11/16/08)
191. Fruits Basket #1 by Natsuki Takaya (11/14/08)
190. Angelic Layer #1 by Clamp (11/13/08)
189. Star in the Storm by Joan Hiatt Harlow (11/13/08)
188. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (11/11/08)
187. The Strand Prophecy by J.B.B. Winner (11/10/08)
186. This Our Dark Country: The American Settlers of Liberia by Catherine Reef (11/8/08)
185. The Sweet, Far Thing by Libba Bray (11/9/08)
184. Into The Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville (10/24/08)
183. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (10/18/08)
182. Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein (10/18/08)
181. The Egypt Game by Zipha Keatley Snyder (10/18/08)
180. Maximum Ride: School's Out--Forever by James Patterson (10/18/08)
179. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (10/18/08)
178. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (10/10/08)
177. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (10/7/08)
176. Robert E. Lee by James I. Robertson Jr. (9/26/08)
175. Ulysses S. Grant by Steven O'Brien (9/24/08)
174. W.I.T.C.H. Meridian Magic (9/23/08)
173. Warriors: Eclipse by Erin Hunter (9/22/08)
172. Coyote by Catherine Reid (9/21/08)
171. Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle (9/11/08)
170. The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket (9/5/08)
169. For Love of Insects by Thomas Eisner (9/5/08)
168. The Seer of Shadows by Avi (9/2/08)
167. Eyewitness Books: Civil War (8/31/08)
166. Triskellion by Will Peterson (8/31/08)
165. 11,ooo Years Lost by Peni R. Griffin (8/28/08)
164. Specials by Scott Westerfeld (8/25/08)
163. Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller (8/25/08)
162. Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce (8/24/08)
161. Nancy Drew Ghost Stories by Carolyn Keene (8/23/08)
160. Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz (8/22/08)
159. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (8/21/08)
158. Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan (8/19/08)
157. Witch-Hunt by Marc Anderson (8/17/08)
156. All the Cats of Cairo by Inda Schaenen (8/15/08)
155. The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White (8/13/08)
154. Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst (8/12/08)
153. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (8/10/08)
152. The Underneath by Kathi Appelt (8/7/08)
151. I am Regina by Sally M. Keehn (8/5/08)
150. Mathew Brady: His Life and Photographs by George Sullivan (8/5/08)
149. Everest by Gordon Korman (8/4/08)
148. All My Patients are Under the Bed by Louis J. Camuti (8/2/08)
147. The Fugitive Factor by Gordon Korman (7/31/08)
146. Chasing the Falconers by Gordon Korman (7/30/08)
145. The Princess and the Hound (7/29/08)
144. Lucy and Her Times by Paseal Pieg and Nicole Verrechia (7/27/08)
143. Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt (7/26/08)
142. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (7/23/08)
141. Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel (7/21/08)
140. The Foxes of First Dark by Garry Kilworth (7/19/08)
139. Kidnapped: The Abduction by Gordon Korman (7/16/08)
138. Outfoxing Fear by Kathleen Ragan (7/15/08)
137. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson (7/11/08)
136. From the Files of Madison Finn: Thanks for Nothing by Laura Dower (7/10/08)
135. From the Files of Madison Finn: Heart to Heart by Laura Dower (7/9/08)
134. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (7/8/08)
133. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (7/6/08)
132 Finishing Becca by Ann Rinaldi (7/2/08)
131. The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer (6/29/08)
130. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (6/29/08)
129. Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison (6/29/08)
128. Among The Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (6/28/08)
127. Warriors: Outcast by Erin Hunter (6/28/08)
126. In The Serpent's Coils by Tiffany Trent (6/28/08)
125. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (6/28/08)
124. Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn (6/27/08)
123. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (6/27/08)
122. So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane (2/26/08)
121. The Fire of Friendship by Elizabeth Lenhard (6/23/08)
120. Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn (6/23/08)
119. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter (6/23/08)
118. The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin (6/23/08)
117. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (6/22/08)
116. The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket (6/22/08)
115. Werewolves by Daniel Cohen (6/21/08)
114. Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix (6/21/08)
113. The Grey King by Susan Cooper (6/21/08)
112. The Arkadians by Lloyd Alexander (6/19/08)
111. Enna Burning by Shannon Hale (6/18/08)
110. What the Dickens by Gregory Maguire (6/17/08)
109. The Dream Hunters by Neil Gaiman (6/16/08)
108. 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson (6/15/08)
107. The Map That Breathed by Melanie Gideon (6/15/08)
106. The Life of Mammals by David Attenborough (6/14/08)
105. Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman (6/14/08)
104. Swan Sister: Fairy Tales Retold by varied authors (6/13/08)
103. Dragons: The Greatest Stories by varied authors (6/12/08)
102. Bright Shadow by Avi (6/10/08)
101. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordin (6/10/08)
100. Physik by Angie Sage (6/9/08)
99. Beauty by Robin McKinley (6/5/08)
98. A Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones (6/2/08)
97. Dogsbody by Diana Wynne Jones (5/31/08)
96. Greenwitch by Susan Cooper (5/27/08)
95. Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson (5/26/08)
94. The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau (5/24/08)
93. Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins (5/23/08)
92. The Secret of the Golden Pavilion by Carolyn Keene (5/22/08)
91. The Haunted Bridge by Carolyn Keene (5/22/08)
90. The Clue of the Tapping Heels by Carolyn Keene (5/21/08)
89. The Wright 3 by Blue Balliet (5/20/08)
88. Ratha's Creature by Clare Bell (5/19/08)
87. Horns & Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson (5/14/08)
86. Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce (5/12/08)
85. Dragonsdale by Salamandra Drake (5/7/08)
84. The Rivers of Zadaa by DJ MacHale (5/6/08)
83. The Borrowers by Mary Norton (5/3/08)
82. Molly Moon, Micky Minus, and the Mind Machine by Georgia Byng (5/2/08)
81. The Human Lifecycle by Rufus Bellamy (5/1/08)
80. The Endocrine and Reproductive Systems by Melissa L. Kim (4/30/08)
79. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (4/30/08)
78. Finding Meridian by Elizabeth Lenhard (4/28/08)
77. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (4/28/08)
76. Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang (4/20/08)
75. Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner (4/19/08)
74. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (4/19/08)
73. Back to the Divide by Elizabeth Kay (4/18/08)
72. Ranger's Apprentice Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan (4/ 17/08)
71. The Outlaw Varjak Paw by SF Said (4/16/08)
70. Un Lun Dun by China Mieville (4/16/08)
69. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (4/14/08)
68. Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech (4/14/08)
67. Vampire Plagues Book Three: Mexico, 1850 by Sebastan Rook (4/14/08)
66. The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann (4/13/08)
65. A Wolf at the Door and Other Retold Fairy Tales by various authors (4/11/08)
64. Icefire by Chris D'Lacey (4/11/08)
63. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter (4/10/08)
62. Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant (4/10/08)
61. Mimus by Lilli Thal (4/10/08)
60. Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins (4/7/08)
59. The Real Benedict Arnold by Jim Murphy (4/7/08)
58. Starcross by Philip Reeve (4/5/08)
57. Dairy of a Fairy Godmother (3/28/08)
56. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (3/27/08)
55. No B.O.! The Head-to-Toe Book of Hygience for Preteens by Marguerite Crump (3/25/08)
54. Northlander by Meg Burden (3/23/08)
53. The Pirate and the Princess: The Timelight Stone by Mio Chizhuru (3/21/08)
52. The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene (3/21/08)
51. Rules by Cynthia Lord (3/20/08)
50. The Divide by Elizabeth Kay (3/19/08)
49. Beyond the Mississippi: Eary Westward Expansion of the United States by Angela M. Herb (3/17/08)
48. The Care and Keeping of You by Valorie Lee Schaefer (3/17/08)
47. The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey (3/16/08)
46. Amelia's War by Ann Rinaldi (3/14/08)
45. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (abridged version) by Jules Verne and retold by Diane Flynn Grund (3/12/08)
44. Stories of Young Pioneers by Violet T. Kimball (3/12/08)
43. The Alamo by Shelley Tanaka (3/12/08)
42. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (3/10/08)
41. The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow by Fuyumi Ono (3/9/08)
40. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (3/3/08)
39. The War of the Worlds by HG Wells (3/2/08)
38. I Was A Rat! by Philip Pullman (3/1/08)
37. Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett (2/29/08)
36. Trail of Tears: A Primary Source History of the Forced Relocation of the Cherokee Nation by Ann Byers (2/29/08)
35. Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull (2/24/08)
34. Little Fur: A Fox Called Sorrow by Isobelle Carmody (2/22/08)
33. Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling (2/21/08)
32. The Tulip Touch by Anne Fine (2/20/08)
31. Urchin and the Heartstone (Mistmantle Chronicles) by M.I. McAllistor (2/20/08)
30. Vampire Plagues Book Two: Paris, 1850 by Sebastian Rook (2/19/08)
29. Assassin (Lady Grace Mysteries) by Patricia Finney (2/19/08)
28. Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff (2/19/08)
27. Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars by Sheri Holman (2/18/08)
26. Dinotopia: River Quest by John Vornholt (2/18/08)
25. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (2/18/08)
24. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (2/17/08)
23. Star Split by Kathryn Lasky (2/15/08)
22. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (2/14/08)
21. The Giver by Lois Lowry (2/7/08)
20. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (2/6/08)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (2/2/08)
18. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (1/31/08)
17. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (1/29/08)
16. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (1/28/08)
15. Little Fur: The Legend Begins by Isobelle Carmody (1/27/08)
14. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (1/26/08)
13. Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper (1/22/08)
12. Terrier (Beka Cooper series) by Tamora Pierce (1/21/08)
11. Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson (1/18/08)
10. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (1/15/08)
9. Poppy and Rye by Avi (1/14/08)
8. Underworld by Catherine MacPhail (1/12/08)
7. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (1/10/08)
6. Tithe by Holly Black (1/7/08)
5. Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The First Collier by Kathryn Lasky (1/5/08)
4. Dream Saga #1 by Megumi Tachikawa (1/5/08)
3. Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne #2 by Arina Tanemura (1/4/08)
2. Larklight by Philip Reeve (1/3/08)
1. Fell by David Clement-Davies (1/1/08)
202. The Myrtles Plantation: The True Story of America's Most Haunted House by Frances Kermeen (12/31/08)
201. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (12/28/08)
200. Deep Wizardry by Diane Duane (12/24/08)
199. The Great God Pan by Donna Jo Napoli (12/23/08)
198. Best Dog Stories by varied authors (12/23/08)
197. The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (12/22/08)
196. A Stillness at Appomattox by Bruce Catton (12/20/08)
195. Song of the Wanderer by Bruce Coville (12/5/08)
194. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (11/26/08)
193. Picture Bride by Yoshiko Uchida (11/19/08)
192. Dream Saga #1 by Megumi Tachikawa (11/16/08)
191. Fruits Basket #1 by Natsuki Takaya (11/14/08)
190. Angelic Layer #1 by Clamp (11/13/08)
189. Star in the Storm by Joan Hiatt Harlow (11/13/08)
188. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (11/11/08)
187. The Strand Prophecy by J.B.B. Winner (11/10/08)
186. This Our Dark Country: The American Settlers of Liberia by Catherine Reef (11/8/08)
185. The Sweet, Far Thing by Libba Bray (11/9/08)
184. Into The Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville (10/24/08)
183. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (10/18/08)
182. Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein (10/18/08)
181. The Egypt Game by Zipha Keatley Snyder (10/18/08)
180. Maximum Ride: School's Out--Forever by James Patterson (10/18/08)
179. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (10/18/08)
178. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (10/10/08)
177. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (10/7/08)
176. Robert E. Lee by James I. Robertson Jr. (9/26/08)
175. Ulysses S. Grant by Steven O'Brien (9/24/08)
174. W.I.T.C.H. Meridian Magic (9/23/08)
173. Warriors: Eclipse by Erin Hunter (9/22/08)
172. Coyote by Catherine Reid (9/21/08)
171. Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle (9/11/08)
170. The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket (9/5/08)
169. For Love of Insects by Thomas Eisner (9/5/08)
168. The Seer of Shadows by Avi (9/2/08)
167. Eyewitness Books: Civil War (8/31/08)
166. Triskellion by Will Peterson (8/31/08)
165. 11,ooo Years Lost by Peni R. Griffin (8/28/08)
164. Specials by Scott Westerfeld (8/25/08)
163. Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller (8/25/08)
162. Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce (8/24/08)
161. Nancy Drew Ghost Stories by Carolyn Keene (8/23/08)
160. Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz (8/22/08)
159. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane (8/21/08)
158. Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan (8/19/08)
157. Witch-Hunt by Marc Anderson (8/17/08)
156. All the Cats of Cairo by Inda Schaenen (8/15/08)
155. The President's Daughter by Ellen Emerson White (8/13/08)
154. Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst (8/12/08)
153. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (8/10/08)
152. The Underneath by Kathi Appelt (8/7/08)
151. I am Regina by Sally M. Keehn (8/5/08)
150. Mathew Brady: His Life and Photographs by George Sullivan (8/5/08)
149. Everest by Gordon Korman (8/4/08)
148. All My Patients are Under the Bed by Louis J. Camuti (8/2/08)
147. The Fugitive Factor by Gordon Korman (7/31/08)
146. Chasing the Falconers by Gordon Korman (7/30/08)
145. The Princess and the Hound (7/29/08)
144. Lucy and Her Times by Paseal Pieg and Nicole Verrechia (7/27/08)
143. Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt (7/26/08)
142. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (7/23/08)
141. Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel (7/21/08)
140. The Foxes of First Dark by Garry Kilworth (7/19/08)
139. Kidnapped: The Abduction by Gordon Korman (7/16/08)
138. Outfoxing Fear by Kathleen Ragan (7/15/08)
137. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson (7/11/08)
136. From the Files of Madison Finn: Thanks for Nothing by Laura Dower (7/10/08)
135. From the Files of Madison Finn: Heart to Heart by Laura Dower (7/9/08)
134. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (7/8/08)
133. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (7/6/08)
132 Finishing Becca by Ann Rinaldi (7/2/08)
131. The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer (6/29/08)
130. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (6/29/08)
129. Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison (6/29/08)
128. Among The Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (6/28/08)
127. Warriors: Outcast by Erin Hunter (6/28/08)
126. In The Serpent's Coils by Tiffany Trent (6/28/08)
125. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (6/28/08)
124. Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn (6/27/08)
123. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (6/27/08)
122. So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane (2/26/08)
121. The Fire of Friendship by Elizabeth Lenhard (6/23/08)
120. Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn (6/23/08)
119. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter (6/23/08)
118. The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin (6/23/08)
117. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (6/22/08)
116. The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket (6/22/08)
115. Werewolves by Daniel Cohen (6/21/08)
114. Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix (6/21/08)
113. The Grey King by Susan Cooper (6/21/08)
112. The Arkadians by Lloyd Alexander (6/19/08)
111. Enna Burning by Shannon Hale (6/18/08)
110. What the Dickens by Gregory Maguire (6/17/08)
109. The Dream Hunters by Neil Gaiman (6/16/08)
108. 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson (6/15/08)
107. The Map That Breathed by Melanie Gideon (6/15/08)
106. The Life of Mammals by David Attenborough (6/14/08)
105. Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman (6/14/08)
104. Swan Sister: Fairy Tales Retold by varied authors (6/13/08)
103. Dragons: The Greatest Stories by varied authors (6/12/08)
102. Bright Shadow by Avi (6/10/08)
101. The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordin (6/10/08)
100. Physik by Angie Sage (6/9/08)
99. Beauty by Robin McKinley (6/5/08)
98. A Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones (6/2/08)
97. Dogsbody by Diana Wynne Jones (5/31/08)
96. Greenwitch by Susan Cooper (5/27/08)
95. Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson (5/26/08)
94. The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrau (5/24/08)
93. Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins (5/23/08)
92. The Secret of the Golden Pavilion by Carolyn Keene (5/22/08)
91. The Haunted Bridge by Carolyn Keene (5/22/08)
90. The Clue of the Tapping Heels by Carolyn Keene (5/21/08)
89. The Wright 3 by Blue Balliet (5/20/08)
88. Ratha's Creature by Clare Bell (5/19/08)
87. Horns & Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson (5/14/08)
86. Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce (5/12/08)
85. Dragonsdale by Salamandra Drake (5/7/08)
84. The Rivers of Zadaa by DJ MacHale (5/6/08)
83. The Borrowers by Mary Norton (5/3/08)
82. Molly Moon, Micky Minus, and the Mind Machine by Georgia Byng (5/2/08)
81. The Human Lifecycle by Rufus Bellamy (5/1/08)
80. The Endocrine and Reproductive Systems by Melissa L. Kim (4/30/08)
79. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (4/30/08)
78. Finding Meridian by Elizabeth Lenhard (4/28/08)
77. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (4/28/08)
76. Red Scarf Girl by Ji-Li Jiang (4/20/08)
75. Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner (4/19/08)
74. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (4/19/08)
73. Back to the Divide by Elizabeth Kay (4/18/08)
72. Ranger's Apprentice Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan (4/ 17/08)
71. The Outlaw Varjak Paw by SF Said (4/16/08)
70. Un Lun Dun by China Mieville (4/16/08)
69. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (4/14/08)
68. Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech (4/14/08)
67. Vampire Plagues Book Three: Mexico, 1850 by Sebastan Rook (4/14/08)
66. The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann (4/13/08)
65. A Wolf at the Door and Other Retold Fairy Tales by various authors (4/11/08)
64. Icefire by Chris D'Lacey (4/11/08)
63. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter (4/10/08)
62. Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant (4/10/08)
61. Mimus by Lilli Thal (4/10/08)
60. Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins (4/7/08)
59. The Real Benedict Arnold by Jim Murphy (4/7/08)
58. Starcross by Philip Reeve (4/5/08)
57. Dairy of a Fairy Godmother (3/28/08)
56. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (3/27/08)
55. No B.O.! The Head-to-Toe Book of Hygience for Preteens by Marguerite Crump (3/25/08)
54. Northlander by Meg Burden (3/23/08)
53. The Pirate and the Princess: The Timelight Stone by Mio Chizhuru (3/21/08)
52. The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene (3/21/08)
51. Rules by Cynthia Lord (3/20/08)
50. The Divide by Elizabeth Kay (3/19/08)
49. Beyond the Mississippi: Eary Westward Expansion of the United States by Angela M. Herb (3/17/08)
48. The Care and Keeping of You by Valorie Lee Schaefer (3/17/08)
47. The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey (3/16/08)
46. Amelia's War by Ann Rinaldi (3/14/08)
45. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (abridged version) by Jules Verne and retold by Diane Flynn Grund (3/12/08)
44. Stories of Young Pioneers by Violet T. Kimball (3/12/08)
43. The Alamo by Shelley Tanaka (3/12/08)
42. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (3/10/08)
41. The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow by Fuyumi Ono (3/9/08)
40. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares (3/3/08)
39. The War of the Worlds by HG Wells (3/2/08)
38. I Was A Rat! by Philip Pullman (3/1/08)
37. Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett (2/29/08)
36. Trail of Tears: A Primary Source History of the Forced Relocation of the Cherokee Nation by Ann Byers (2/29/08)
35. Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull (2/24/08)
34. Little Fur: A Fox Called Sorrow by Isobelle Carmody (2/22/08)
33. Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling (2/21/08)
32. The Tulip Touch by Anne Fine (2/20/08)
31. Urchin and the Heartstone (Mistmantle Chronicles) by M.I. McAllistor (2/20/08)
30. Vampire Plagues Book Two: Paris, 1850 by Sebastian Rook (2/19/08)
29. Assassin (Lady Grace Mysteries) by Patricia Finney (2/19/08)
28. Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff (2/19/08)
27. Sondok: Princess of the Moon and Stars by Sheri Holman (2/18/08)
26. Dinotopia: River Quest by John Vornholt (2/18/08)
25. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (2/18/08)
24. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (2/17/08)
23. Star Split by Kathryn Lasky (2/15/08)
22. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (2/14/08)
21. The Giver by Lois Lowry (2/7/08)
20. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (2/6/08)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (2/2/08)
18. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (1/31/08)
17. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (1/29/08)
16. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (1/28/08)
15. Little Fur: The Legend Begins by Isobelle Carmody (1/27/08)
14. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (1/26/08)
13. Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper (1/22/08)
12. Terrier (Beka Cooper series) by Tamora Pierce (1/21/08)
11. Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson (1/18/08)
10. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (1/15/08)
9. Poppy and Rye by Avi (1/14/08)
8. Underworld by Catherine MacPhail (1/12/08)
7. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (1/10/08)
6. Tithe by Holly Black (1/7/08)
5. Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The First Collier by Kathryn Lasky (1/5/08)
4. Dream Saga #1 by Megumi Tachikawa (1/5/08)
3. Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne #2 by Arina Tanemura (1/4/08)
2. Larklight by Philip Reeve (1/3/08)
1. Fell by David Clement-Davies (1/1/08)
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Yearling (book review)
The Yearling, by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, is the story of a young boy, Jody Baxter, who lives in the backwoods of Florida and must fight off panthers, bears, and wolves as he and his family struggle to make a living. The Baxters' nearest neighbors live four miles away, and they have a son nicknamed Fodder-wing. Fodder-wing harbors an intense love for all things wild, and he owns a baby raccoon, a squirrel, a possum, a bird, and a bear cub (among other things). Jody desperately yearns for a pet of his own, but his mother absolutely will not allow it. So, one lonely night, when Jody stumbles upon a young, orphaned fawn belonging to the doe his father shot, he decides to take it in. Although his mother protests at first, it is his father Penny who casts the deciding vote--to let Jody keep the fawn.
Their relationship grows into one of love and companionship. Jody cannot bear to be away from the fawn for long, and it is unhappy when parted with him. But as the fawn, dubbed Flag, slowly grows from baby to yearling, the trouble begins. Flag has a steadily growing appetite, and the Baxter crops fall prey to the ravenous deer. Jody tries everything under his power to keep Flag away from his family's food supply, but deep inside himself he knows that eventually he will have to part with Flag.
This book was okay. At the beginning I thought it was great, then in the middle it lost its flavor and I just wanted to be over with it, then at the end it perked up again. I loved the last sentence of the book, when Jody was reflecting on how in this one year he had grown from a boy to a man, and how the loss of his fawn had affected that change, "Somewhere beyond the sink-hole, past the magnolia, under the live oaks, a boy and a yearling ran side by side, and were gone forever."
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
This book was an alternate for the Chunkster Challenge (hooray, I finished another challenge!) and I used it for the Book Awards II.
Their relationship grows into one of love and companionship. Jody cannot bear to be away from the fawn for long, and it is unhappy when parted with him. But as the fawn, dubbed Flag, slowly grows from baby to yearling, the trouble begins. Flag has a steadily growing appetite, and the Baxter crops fall prey to the ravenous deer. Jody tries everything under his power to keep Flag away from his family's food supply, but deep inside himself he knows that eventually he will have to part with Flag.
This book was okay. At the beginning I thought it was great, then in the middle it lost its flavor and I just wanted to be over with it, then at the end it perked up again. I loved the last sentence of the book, when Jody was reflecting on how in this one year he had grown from a boy to a man, and how the loss of his fawn had affected that change, "Somewhere beyond the sink-hole, past the magnolia, under the live oaks, a boy and a yearling ran side by side, and were gone forever."
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.
This book was an alternate for the Chunkster Challenge (hooray, I finished another challenge!) and I used it for the Book Awards II.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
A Stillness at Appomattox (book review)
A Stillness at Appomattox, by Bruce Catton, is the story of the last year of the Civil War, from the second battle of the Wilderness to the surrender at Appomattox Court House. The book goes into great detail about each battle, stating not just the rudiments but also interesting little facts about the generals and soldiers fighting. There was a great deal of direct quoting from the soldiers themselves, which was highly interesting. The book detailed the highs and lows of camp life during 1864-65. During the battles, the writing and the maps provided gave me a sense of direction and let me feel as if I was marching to the scene of the fight, and I appreciated that.
However, at times I found the writing a little dry. Occasionally I had to read a paragraph over once or twice in order to fully understand its content.
Even readers with little or no background information on the Civil War would find it easy to read this book. The writing is (for the most part) very understandable, and Catton provides a great deal of background information. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history or the Civil War.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I am using this as an alternate for the Book Awards Challenge.
However, at times I found the writing a little dry. Occasionally I had to read a paragraph over once or twice in order to fully understand its content.
Even readers with little or no background information on the Civil War would find it easy to read this book. The writing is (for the most part) very understandable, and Catton provides a great deal of background information. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in American history or the Civil War.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I am using this as an alternate for the Book Awards Challenge.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Briar Rose (book review)
Briar Rose, by Jane Yolen, is really two stories entwined together: the story of young journalist Becca and the story of her grandmother Gemma, who survived the famous concentration camp Chelmno, or Kulmhof. Throughout Becca's childhood, Gemma told her the story of Sleeping Beauty, or Briar Rose, insisting every time that she was the real Briar Rose. After Gemma's death, Becca discovers a mysterious box containing some of her grandmother's possessions from long ago. She decides to set out on a journey to discover uncover the mysteries of Gemma's box. Along the way, she travels from Fort Oswego in New York, a refugee camp for Jews, to Chelmno itself, to find out the real story behind the events in Gemma's past.
This was the first book I've read by Jane Yolen, and I thought it was superb. I loved how she entwined real places in history together with a common fairy tale that we all know and love. I will definitely be looking for more of her books.
This book is for the A-Z challenge.
This was the first book I've read by Jane Yolen, and I thought it was superb. I loved how she entwined real places in history together with a common fairy tale that we all know and love. I will definitely be looking for more of her books.
This book is for the A-Z challenge.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
I didn't make it
I didn't make it, but I got soooooooooooo close! I am ending tonight at 45,121. The only reason I'm stopping is that I have a test to study for tomorrow. But just because I didn't finish this month doesn't mean I'll stop working on my novel!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
More Words...
I've only gotten to 34,006 words today. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow, so I'd better get a lot of sleep!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I've Topped 20,000!
I topped 20,000 tonight at 10:20 PM! Although I still have a LONG way to go, I think I've made considerable progress. I'm going to be spending a long time in the car tomorrow, so I hope I can get to 30,000 or more tomorrow. I'm not positive if my grandmother has the Internet, so I might not be posting for a few days, but I'm not sure.
Monday, November 24, 2008
More Words
I am now up to 18,093. I am absolutely positive I won't make it now, but I'm going to continue this novel because it is much better than the one from last year.
Picture Bride (book review)
Picture Bride, by Yoshiko Uchida,is the story of twenty-one-year-old Hana Omiya, a Japanese immigrant who has come to America to marry a man she has yet to meet. She is one of many picture brides coming in from Japan in the early twentieth century. At first, Hana finds herself unhappy and in love with another man, but over time, although her husband Taro Takeda may not be handsome, she discovers that he loves her more than anyone else. Together, Taro and Hana raise a child whom they love, but who disappoints them in the end. And together, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, they are sent to the desert detention camps to wait out the war. Can both of them make it through the challenges of the influenza plague and having their daughter run away, or will this be the end of Taro and Hana's now-happy marriage for good?
I really enjoyed this book, although it was extremely sad and showed the prejudice that Americans had against foreigners in that time. I loved to watch Hana's feelings toward Taro gradually change from quiet acceptance to true love, and I enjoyed watching Hana's daughter grow up, although I was just as disappointed as they were when she ran away with her boyfriend. I thought this book was fantastic! Although it got off to a slow start, it picked up quickly and I was hooked throughout!
I give this book four out of five stars.
This book was for the A-Z Challenge.
I really enjoyed this book, although it was extremely sad and showed the prejudice that Americans had against foreigners in that time. I loved to watch Hana's feelings toward Taro gradually change from quiet acceptance to true love, and I enjoyed watching Hana's daughter grow up, although I was just as disappointed as they were when she ran away with her boyfriend. I thought this book was fantastic! Although it got off to a slow start, it picked up quickly and I was hooked throughout!
I give this book four out of five stars.
This book was for the A-Z Challenge.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Dream Saga (book review)
Dream Saga #2, by Megumi Tachikawa, is the story of 5th Grader Yuuki Wakasa, and her adventures in the dream world Takamagahara. She is the legendary Horizon Girl, one of the few people who can freely access both Takamagahara and Nakatsukuni (our world). Yuuki is on a quest to save Takamagahara, along with her four companions. But she may be too late...the balance between Takamagahara and Nakatsukuni is starting to fail, and soon it may not be possible to distinguish what is a dream and what is "real". Japan's municipal water has turned red, and Yuuki suspects that something in Takamagahara has caused it. Can she and her band of friends solve the mystery in time?
I really liked the plot of this story, but the drawings were slightly confusing. In some parts, the lines were very faint and in others they were almost bold. The illustrations seemed to almost flow together. But overall this story was very good.
I give it three out of five stars.
I really liked the plot of this story, but the drawings were slightly confusing. In some parts, the lines were very faint and in others they were almost bold. The illustrations seemed to almost flow together. But overall this story was very good.
I give it three out of five stars.
Fruits Basket Book One (book review)
Fruits Basket Book One, by Natsuki Takaya, is the tale of high school student Tohru Honda, an orphan who lives in a tent in the forest...until she discovers the household of the Sohmas, a family with an ancient curse. They are possessed by the vengeful spirits of the animals of the Zodiac, and occasionally they transform into those animals. Having given Tohru a home, the Sohmas expect her to keep their secret...and it isn't as easy as it sounds.
This story was spiced up with the perfect amount of romance and magic. I like the idea of the Zodiac spirits, and I'm eager to read the next book to find out more about the Sohmas!
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Graphic Novel Challenge.
This story was spiced up with the perfect amount of romance and magic. I like the idea of the Zodiac spirits, and I'm eager to read the next book to find out more about the Sohmas!
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
This book was for the Graphic Novel Challenge.
Angelic Layer #1 (book review)
Angelic Layer #1, by Clamp, is the story of twelve-year-old Misaki Suzuhara. She has recently discovered a new sport, Angelic Layer, where players pit their angels against one another in a game of wit and strategy. Misaki is already captivated by the game, but she doesn't have the money or experience to build her own angel. So, with the help of a crazy scientist named Icchan, Misaki will give it all she's got to build a winning angel.
She's already showing incredible talent, but what will happen when Misaki goes against an Angelic Layer champion...who just happens to be a five-year-old? With Icchan and her school friends backing her 100%, can Misaki still win the Angelic Layer Crown?
This graphic novel was okay, but it wasn't as good as some of the other books I've read by Clamp. I don't think I'll be rushing out to get the next ones. Even though I was disappointed by this book, I'm not going to stop reading books by Clamp.
She's already showing incredible talent, but what will happen when Misaki goes against an Angelic Layer champion...who just happens to be a five-year-old? With Icchan and her school friends backing her 100%, can Misaki still win the Angelic Layer Crown?
This graphic novel was okay, but it wasn't as good as some of the other books I've read by Clamp. I don't think I'll be rushing out to get the next ones. Even though I was disappointed by this book, I'm not going to stop reading books by Clamp.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
More Words, but not much more
I've only gotten to 13,002 today, since it was much busier than expected. Tomorrow, the whole night after 4:15 is off, which sucks. I'll probably only get to 14,000 tomorrow, which was my goal for today:(
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Another Update
I'm now up to 12,168! Since I'll be busy tomorrow, too, I hope I can get up to 14,000 or 15,000.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Next Update
I've now gotten to 10,108 words. I would write more, but I am soooo tired. I am going to be very busy the next day, so I only expect to get to maybe 12,000 then.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Next Update
I have now gotten up to 8,014 words. It's disappointing, but it's already late tonight and I should probably be stopping now.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
More Words!
I've gotten up to 5,547 words! I probably won't (no, make that definitely won't) reach my goal by tomorrow, but I hope I can still finish my story by the end of November...
Friday, November 14, 2008
Starting Over
Since my previous story has been lost, I'm starting a new one. I know it's really late, but I'm going to try anyway. Today I've gotten to 2,270. My goal for the end of the weekend is 20,000. Who knows. Maybe I'll actually reach it for once!
P.S.--For some reason NaNoWriMo won't let me log in, so I guess I'll just be posting my word count here. Is anyone else experiencing the same problems?
P.S.--For some reason NaNoWriMo won't let me log in, so I guess I'll just be posting my word count here. Is anyone else experiencing the same problems?
Star in the Storm (book review)
Star in the Storm, by Joan Hiatt Harlow, takes place in the small Newfoundland village of Bonnie Bay. Twelve-year-old Maggie, her younger cousin Vera, and their Newfoundland dog Sirius have become targets of the wrath by Howard Rand, the richest man in the village, and his daughter Tamar. Tamar has never liked Sirius, and when one of her sheep is killed by a dog, she blames it on him. Maggie knows that Sirius would never do such a thing, but there is no way that she can convince Tamar of that. Soon, Howard Rand passes a law that forbids all dogs except sheepherding ones.
Maggie will never give up Sirius, so she hides him away in a secret cave which only she and Vera know about. But on the night of a dangerous storm, a steamer carrying more than 100 people crashes into the rocks near Bonnie Bay. No one will dare risk heading out into the wild waters to save the people. Maggie knows that Sirius can swim as well as a fish, but if she brings him out of hiding, she will be risking his life. Can Sirius find a way to save the passengers' lives...and his own?
I thought this book was very good for a first novel. It had a heroic dog, a witch of a girl, and lots of wild adventures! It took place in a unique location, and the author mixed in the legends and daily life of Newfoundlanders among the rest of the book.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I am using this book for the weather-event title in my What's In A Name Challenge.
Maggie will never give up Sirius, so she hides him away in a secret cave which only she and Vera know about. But on the night of a dangerous storm, a steamer carrying more than 100 people crashes into the rocks near Bonnie Bay. No one will dare risk heading out into the wild waters to save the people. Maggie knows that Sirius can swim as well as a fish, but if she brings him out of hiding, she will be risking his life. Can Sirius find a way to save the passengers' lives...and his own?
I thought this book was very good for a first novel. It had a heroic dog, a witch of a girl, and lots of wild adventures! It took place in a unique location, and the author mixed in the legends and daily life of Newfoundlanders among the rest of the book.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I am using this book for the weather-event title in my What's In A Name Challenge.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Unofficially Joining Graphic Novel Challenge
I'm proud to announce that I'm unofficially joining the Graphic Novel Challenge hosted by Dewey. Here is my list so far:
Dream Saga #2 by Megumi Tachikiwa
Fruits Basket #1 by Natsuki Takaya
Angelic Layer #1 by Clamp
This challenge sounds fun! I'm excited to start it!
Dream Saga #2 by Megumi Tachikiwa
Fruits Basket #1 by Natsuki Takaya
Angelic Layer #1 by Clamp
This challenge sounds fun! I'm excited to start it!
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Strand Prophecy (book review)
The Strand Prophecy, by J.B.B. Winner, was an epic science fiction tale about a reluctant superhero and his family. "Strand", as he is known, is also the wealthy technological genius Steve Cutter, who lives on an enormous boat named Gaia. He is the only one who can protect the innocent against rapidly evolving creatures whose first choice of prey is: us.
Soon, Steve (or Strand) is on a whirlwind journey around the world to stop the mutated creatures before they become out of hand. Along the way he and his eclectic crew made up of a robot, a super-monkey, an aquatic humanoid, and a veterinarian are trying their best to save the human race...while at the same time hiding Strand's true identity from his niece, Anna.
I absolutely loved this book! It was funny, scary, and packed with advanced technology that right now we can only dream about. The characters were believable, and you felt as if you really got to know and love them over time. I can't wait for the next installment in this series!
This book gets 5 out of 5 stars.
Soon, Steve (or Strand) is on a whirlwind journey around the world to stop the mutated creatures before they become out of hand. Along the way he and his eclectic crew made up of a robot, a super-monkey, an aquatic humanoid, and a veterinarian are trying their best to save the human race...while at the same time hiding Strand's true identity from his niece, Anna.
I absolutely loved this book! It was funny, scary, and packed with advanced technology that right now we can only dream about. The characters were believable, and you felt as if you really got to know and love them over time. I can't wait for the next installment in this series!
This book gets 5 out of 5 stars.
The Sweet Far Thing (book review)
The Sweet, Far Thing is the third installment in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray. The book takes place in 1895, at Spence Academy for Young Ladies in England. Schoolgirl Gemma, and her friends, the spunky Felicity and the somewhat timid Ann, are struggling to return to the enchanted world they now know as the Realms. But when they finally manage to return, the girls find that things are not the same. The mythical creatures of the forest want their share of Gemma's magic--and they'll stop at nothing to get it. And the girls' friend Pippa, lost to the Realms forever, is not the same Pip that they know and love. She is becoming more and more like the evil creatures of the Winterlands each day.
Outside of the Realms, the girls are facing problems as well. Gemma's love, Kartik, plans to run away...without her. Ann's dream of being an actress is slowly slipping away, and Felicity may not receive her inheritance at all. Together, and with the help of some unlikely allies, can the girls save the Realms...and their futures?
This book was just as good as the first two, maybe even better. It was a perfect mix of humor, sadness, action, mystery, and magic. The characters were complex and realistic, and there was an eclectic mix of them. I was very sad when this book came to an end.
This book is a substitute for the Chunkster Challenge.
Four Challenges Finished!
After going through my list of books read and listing a bunch of alternatives, I am proud to announce that I have finished four challenges:
1st in a Series
Back To History
What An Animal
Young Adult
Now I get four free books:)
1st in a Series
Back To History
What An Animal
Young Adult
Now I get four free books:)
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Disappointing News
Our computer (where I have my story) has a big problem, so I haven't been able to write at all today, and might not get to for a few days. I also didn't have a chance to post yesterday, so I'll do it now--I got up to a little more than 15,500 yesterday.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
NaNoWriMo Day 6
Well, I passed my goal! I am now up to 12,547. I would have written more, but I have a lot of homework to do tonight. Tomorrow's goal is 15,500.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
NaNoWriMo Day 5
Another disappointing day...I was very busy today, and I will be tomorrow. I only had about twenty-five minutes to write at the most, and my word count is now 10,585. Tomorrow I will set a more realistic goal--12,000. I know that is a lot less than my goal for today, but it is much more realistic!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
NaNoWriMo Day 4
Well, I got to 10,027. I don't want to set my goal for tomorrow too high, but I'm really hoping I can get to 15,000 tomorrow, or more!
Monday, November 03, 2008
NaNoWriMo Day 3
I haven't gotten close to my goal AT ALL yet--I'm only up to 8,254 words!! And, since I have a very busy day tomorrow, I probably won't get much done then. My goal by the end of tomorrow is 10,000 words...
Sunday, November 02, 2008
NaNoWriMo Day 2
I've been working on my story a lot more today, and have managed to get my word count up to 7,012. I didn't reach my goal for the weekend, but I hope I can get 11,000 by tomorrow!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
NaNoWriMo Day 1
The first day of NaNoWriMo has ended! My word count so far is 3,268. I feel pretty good about my progress, but I have a lot of writing to do tomorrow to top 10,000, which is my goal for the weekend.
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