Book Review: The Island of Sheep

The Island of Sheep by John Buchan

The Island of Sheep (Richard Hannay #5)
by John Buchan

4 out of 5 stars

Richard Hannay is caught up in another adventure! This time an old friend from South Africa, Haraldsen, is being hunted by evil men with a vendetta against his father. Richard’s son, Peter John, is now in his teens and is eager to help his father protect Haraldsen’s family, especially since he has a lovely teenage daughter, Anna. After dodging the bad guys all around the city, they escape into the country and make their last stand on the Island of Sheep.

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Book Review: Roswell High The Stowaway

The Stowaway by Melinda Metz

The Stowaway (Roswell High, #6)
by Melinda Metz (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars

Once Michael has been rescued from the government compound, there are still consequences that have to be dealt with. Cameron, the girl who was spying for Sheriff Valenti, is trying to be honest with them, but worries that she will lose her new friends. Michael has to make a decision about which girl he has feelings for; Maria, Isabel, or Cameron. And their new alien friend appears to have turned evil overnight! How can they protect themselves when they aren’t even sure what is going on?

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Book Review: Wildlord

Wildlord by Philip Womack

Wildlord
by Philip Womack

3 out of 5 stars

Tom is an orphan who must stay at boarding school during the boring summer months. When his uncle Jack invites him to stay the summer in the country, Tom jumps at the chance. However, it soon becomes apparent that Tom’s uncle is hiding a devastating secret. Jack is using magic for unimaginable ends, and he expects Tom to be his heir and take over the magical responsibilities of their ancient family. But Tom worries that Jack is not telling the whole truth about the magic. Could there be evil at the root of it?

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Book Review: Tolkien’s Ordinary Virtues

Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues  by Mark Eddy Smith

Tolkien’s Ordinary Virtues : Exploring the Spiritual Themes of the Lord of the Rings
by Mark Eddy Smith (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars

Why is it that The Lord of the Rings continues to inspire and fascinate generations of readers? I think it is because it mirrors elements of a much larger story- the spiritual story of God and his Creation. In this book, we explore different themes found in LotR and see how the virtues of the characters originate (as do all good things) in the virtues of God.

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Book Review: The Book That No One Wanted To Read

The Book That No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade

The Book That No One Wanted to Read
by Richard Ayoade, Tor Freeman  (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Once upon a time, there was a book that no one wanted to read. Maybe it was dry and boring. Maybe the cover was unattractive. Maybe the book was high up on a shelf where no one could reach. Or maybe the book was biding its time until a special reader came along…. YOU!

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Book Review: Roswell High The Intruder

The Intruder by Melinda Metz

The Intruder (Roswell High, #5)
by Melinda Metz (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars

Michael has been captured by Sheriff Valenti and is being held as a prisoner in a secret compound. The rest of the gang are trying to come up with some kind of plan to rescue Michael. Just when they think they might have some answers, another alien brings all their plans to a crashing halt. Isabel keeps wondering if her relationship with Alex is really what she wants, or if her connection to Michael means something more.

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Five Children’s Book Reviews from Flowerpot Press

7 Best Things About Family by Patrick Yee

7 Best Things About Family
by Patrick Yee (Artist)

5 out of 5 stars

In this board book, children tell about their favorite things about being in a family. Hugs and cuddles, playing together, and eating chocolate chip pancakes are the best things! But the best of them all is family love.
An adorable rabbit family illustrate all the best things about families as they go on vacation together, kiss a boo-boo, plant flowers, make a blanket fort, and read together at bedtime.

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Classic Book Review: Bleak House

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

Bleak House
by Charles Dickens

5 out of 5 stars

Esther Summerson goes to live with her guardian, Mr. Jarndyce, and two other young wards, who are his cousins. The Jarndyce family are involved in a lengthy court case disputing a will that has lagged on for generations, bringing nothing but debt and heartache to all involved. Mr. Jarndyce hopes to repair some of the emotional damage in his family by bringing his young cousins, Ada and Richard, into his own home and providing for them.
Esther herself is completely ignorant of her biological family, and is thrown into the mystery of her parentage, when a certain lawyer begins investigating the death of a man who may have been connected to the secretive Lady Dedlock. Esther must discover the truth about her mother and father before the lawyer can publicly humiliate them all.

This has always been one of my favorite Dickens books, and re-reading it several times just confirms this book as a forever favorite!

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Graphic Novel Review: Loonicorns

Loonicorns by Ced

Loonicorns
by Ced

3.5 stars
A little girl with a horn mysteriously appears in Looniland right when a plague begins sweeping through the city. Could it be that she brought the sickness with her? The unicorns and cyclopes who live in the city are divided into groups of “pretties” and “uglies”, but only the “pretties” are getting sick. It’s up to Kurb and his “ugly” friends to find answers by going on a quest!

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Familius Picture Book Reviews: Dino Train, Fall Frolic in the City, Thankful Animals Thankful Me, Petite Mouse Takes a Nap

Dino Train by Christopher Robbins

Dino Train (On-Track Learning)
by Christopher Robbins, Susanna Covelli (Illustrations)

3 out of 5 stars

This cute little book folds out into a long train with adorable dinosaurs from A to Z. The illustrations are delightful, and I love the adorable designs for the dinos. They look so friendly! I got to learn the names of some dinosaurs I had never heard of before. I like that the “wheels” of the train have little dino claw prints on them. So cute!

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