This is the story of a young girl coping with her fear of earthquakes, her problems with her sisters, and mysterious letters from the past. This story, by Kathryn Reiss, is well written and great for kids who like crosswords and mysteries, and is especially good if you like the thrill of finding something out. Violet is the odd one out where her siblings are concerned. She’s scared of everything, and is the only child without blond hair out off the triplets. That’s hard. I loved this book because of its mystery and suspense. It’s the story of a young girl trying to find the strength in herself, and trying to figure out the odd visions she keeps receiving. But things really get kicked up a notch when she realizes that if she doesn’t act, lots of people will lose their lives in San Francisco.
Believe me, this book is a sure page-turner, and good for any child interested in history and mystery.
Month: October 2010
Dog Magic
Poor Molly. She can’t stand being around a dog, yet there are so many in her neighborhood. But the problem is solved when she gets a gorgeous pair of Magic Shoes for her birthday. Carla Golembe tells the tale of a girl finding a way to finally get over her fears. But the trouble starts up again when the shoes Molly has come to depend on fiercely have finally been outgrown. Now our heroine must strive to find the courage needed to get on with her childhood. I loved this book and had it read to me many times when I couldn’t do it myself. I’m a huge fan of dogs, and it was so interesting to read about a little girl who didn’t feel the same way (at first). The writing is good, and the pictures are lovely. Before children can read for themselves it’s always important to get them started. And I bet they’ll love hearing the story about Molly and her Magic Shoes.
Calling on Dragons
Uh-oh. It’s another fabulous book in The 
Enchanted Forest Chnronicles! Just kidding. Seriously though, this book is good, and I know I say that a lot, but I really mean it. You can’t call Cimorene a princess anymore…she’s a queen! And, boy, does she have her work cut out for her. Those horrible wizards have concocted their most genius and dangerous scheme yet for obtaining complete control of the Enchanted Forest, and it looks like it’s up to the new Queen to get the solution, along with an intelligent witch, a confusing magician, and a rabbit turned into a donkey that’s blue and flies. No, I am not kidding. I had fun reading this book since it had such entertaining characters and a great plot. You are going to like it. And if you’re not sure, have I ever led you to a horrible book?
The Royal Diaries: Cleopatra VII
I
’m a big fan of most of the books in The Royal Diaries series, fictional diaries written by authors pretending to be historical princesses from all over the world. In this case, Kristiana Gregory. But this is one of the diaries I will never forget, due to the fact that a) I loved it, and b) It’s the first one I ever read. Cleopatra VII’s life is wrought with danger, for the common Egyptians are not fond of her father, the Pharaoh. And Cleopatra, being his favorite daughter, is just another target for assassins. She and her father travel to Rome, hoping to find help in controlling the public. I admire Cleopatra greatly, she was a young woman who had the best interests of her people at heart, and valued brains above beauty. She spoke with many great men, including the Romans Julius Caesar and Cicero. One of the most intriguing things about her is that we aren’t certain if she was a good or bad person. Girls will enjoy reading about this amazing woman, though I do recommend that they be accustomed to violence in books. Please don’t read this book to your three-year-old. She or he will have nightmares.
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians
Did I type that last word of the title wrong? No, I assure you, I did not. Yes, the bad guys are really Librarians, and yes, the main character really is named after a prison. Can I get on with it? Good. Anyway, Brandon Sanderson wrote this book. How would you feel if on your thirteenth birthday you received an inheritance from your supposedly dead parents that turned out to be a bag of sand? Also, let’s say you had a Talent for breaking things. How would you feel? Pretty confused? Well, that’s how a certain Alcatraz Smedry felt in this book, especially when a man that’s always late for everything showed up at his door and claimed to be his grandfather. Before he knows what’s happening, Alcatraz is swept up in an adventure that includes lethal handbags, lethal Lenses, and a lot more lethalness. And the whole time he narrates this captivating collection of exploits with a ton of attitude and a few kittens. I loved this book for that. And I hope you will too, so don’t you think you’d better read it?
Searching for Dragons
Patricia C. Wrede throws another enthralling an
d amusing tale of Cimorene and her friends at us, and you are going to like it just as much as the first one. When one of the improper princess’s dearest friends disappears she doesn’t hesitate to begin searching for her. But someone else comes along for the ride. The King of the Enchanted Forest, Mendanbar, is with her all the way. And you will be too, as the two adventurers brave monsters, a broken magic carpet, and a couple of evil and very irritating wizards. I liked this book because of the witty language and the interesting characters, and I bet you will too. Even if you aren’t sure about it, still check for this the next time you’re in a bookstore. And be sure to look for other books I’ve recommended!
Forest Born
This is the fourth and possibly last book in The Books of Bayern. I’m not sure yet. To those who have taken my 
advice and have read the first three books in the series, do you remember Razo’s little sister, Rin? I hope you do, because this book is all about her. After a hurtful discovery, Rin feels she has to accompany Razo and his friend Dasha to on a trip. But she gets more than she bargained for. When a last hope turns into a fight for her friends’ and Rin’s lives, it’s up to her to face herself and save them from an old nemesis. I liked this book because it is the most unpredictable of all, and sometimes I just couldn’t believe what I was reading! That’s how good it is! I am serious, you are going to love this book, and to all those who don’t believe me, you are missing out! So, please, ask your parents to take you to the library right now.
The Three Musketeers
First things first: this is most definitely a summer or vacation read. You do not want to carry a full-length copy of The Three Musketeers (by Alexandre Dumas) in your backpack to school or work. Sooner or later, you’ll break your back. This book is about a young Gascon youth named d’Artagnan, intent on finding a place with the noble and courageous King’s Musketeers. But after an incident along the way, he loses the letter to M. de Treville, but still finds himself being admitted…into the guards of M. de Essarts. But even without being a Musketeer, d’Artagnan manages to make friends with a few. So, it is along with Athos, Aramis, and Porthos that our hero is swept up into a world of conspiracies and danger, up against the villainous Cardinal Richelieu and Countess de Winter. This book was a little too long for me; you could say that Alexandre Dumas was rather too fond of writing. Nevertheless, this book has all the elements it needs to be considered an okay read. If you ever have a lot of time on your hands and find yourself without something to read, you might consider this.
A Dog Called Kitty
This is a sweet, sentimental story by Bill Wallace. Ricky, your main character farm boy, has been scared of dogs ever since he was a baby. So even though the stray dog that shows up is cute, small, and innocent, he makes Ricky nervous. But the poor thing doesn’t have a mother, and can’t compete with the barn cats for the milk Ricky’s mom sets out every night. Gradually, as he starts feeding the dog and taking care of him, Ricky and Kitty begin to bond. This book made me cry and cry, and it made me breath deep sighs of relief. Dogs are my favorite type of animal, and that’s why I liked this book. The sad ending was a bit much for me, though, because I usually like happy endings. Still, this book really is a thoughtful and emotional book. If you like what I’ve described, consider going to the library, why don’t you?
Dealing with Dragons
Writer Patricia C. Wrede has supplied the world with a book filled with wit, surprises, and danger in this first book of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. You’ll read about plucky young Princess Cimorene of the Kingdom of Linderwall, and her sudden transformation from being a regular old princess living in a castle to a dragon’s princess living in a cave. And you will be astonished by how it comes about! I loved this book because of the unpredictable plot as well as the main character. Cimorene’s intelligence and attitude will keep you drawn in as you laugh at her comments and peoples’ responses. If you’re bored with the usual princesses in stories (proper, gold hair, blue eyes, etc.) then you are going to just love this book. I mean it. So why don’t you go get your dad or your mom and hightail it to the library.
Girl Knows Books 