Book Review: The Two Noble Kinsmen

The Two Noble Kinsmen
The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In Ancient Greece, three queens come to plea with King Theseus and Queen Hippolyta to avenge the deaths of their three kingly husbands, who died at the hand of the evil tyrant Creon. Theseus agrees to go to war against Creon.

In Creon’s army are two cousins, Palamon and Arcite, who are noble of heart, and do not agree with the tyrannous methods of Creon, but they are honor-bound to fight for Creon, and are taken as prisoners in the war.

While imprisoned they both fall in love with the beautiful Emilia, sister to Queen Hippolyta, and these two cousins who were once so close begin a fight to the death over Emilia’s hand. They escape prison, are caught fighting, and agree to a tournament for Emilia’s hand in marriage. Continue reading

Book Review: Hawksmaid

Hawksmaid: The Untold Story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian
Hawksmaid: The Untold Story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian by Kathryn Lasky

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Any story about Robin Hood is bound to be delightful, full of fun and adventure, but the addition of a Maid Marian who is obsessed with falconry, can talk to her hawks, and enlist their help in the fight against the evil Prince John… well, that is simply genius!

I adore Marian’s character, or Matty as she is known in her youth. She’s plucky and independent, brave and smart. She just wants to be one of the guys, hanging out with the Merry Men, doing the whole outlaw thing in Sherwood; and eventually, through her resourcefulness, she wins their respect and admiration. Continue reading

Book Review: The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every Penderwick is a phenomenal person! I have so much love for this beautiful Penderwick family, I can’t even contain my emotions long enough to write a decent review. Every book in this series is absolute gold, every character is delightfully unique, and every single word in every chapter is genius. I love how the author takes small everyday doings and makes them dramatic and interesting and fun! Just building a campfire on the beach and toasting marshmallows becomes an adventure fraught with peril and meaning. Continue reading

Book Review: The Small House at Allington

The Small House at Allington
The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lily and Bell are two sisters, living with their widowed mother in the Small House, adjacent to their uncle’s estate at Allington. Both girls have trouble with love, trouble with money, and general family difficulties to overcome. Their uncle has his own plans for the family’s future, but the girls have their own independent ideas for their happiness.

A major theme in the book is misunderstandings, disappointments, and how people don’t really understand the motivations or inner hearts of those around them, even the people closest to them. As always, Trollope gives a compelling and interesting picture of human life. Continue reading

Picture Book Reviews: Super Fish

Super Fish
Super Fish by Mary Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A cute little story told by a turtle who claims to have met the famous Super Fish, with her purple cape and her super-strength and super-hearing. She helps sea creatures in trouble, and the turtle tells the story of how Super Fish saved him.

The illustrations are cute! The story is funny and snappy! This would be a good book to read aloud to children and make funny voices for the characters.

Super Fish 2: The Stare Wars Super Fish 2: The Stare Wars by Mary Lee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Super Fish has a purple cape, super-strength, and super-hearing, but does she have super-staring abilities? When the octopus gets into a staring contest with Super Fish, nothing in all the oceans will distract either opponent from their unblinking competition, until Super Fish pulls out her secret weapon!

The illustrations are so cute! Super Fish is an adorable and strong super-hero, and the story is hilarious and snappy! This would be a good book to read aloud to children and make funny voices for all the characters.

 

Children’s Book Author’s Dinner

 

Follow Live Oak Public Library at @liveoakplga
Featured Authors:
Keith Hemstreet http://travelswithgannonandwyatt.com/…
Ame Dyckman http://www.amedyckman.com/
Ted Dunagan http://teddunagan.com/
James and Kimberly Dean http://www.petethecatbooks.com/
Jane O’Connor https://www.fancynancyworld.com/creators
Varian Johnson http://www.varianjohnson.com/books.html
Rebecca Emberley http://www.rebeccaemberley.com/
Robert Quackenbush http://rquackenbush.com/
Bob Shea http://bobshea.com/
Jose Lucio http://www.joselucio.com/#heaveho

Books for MKs is a charity organization that donates books to missionary kids on the foreign mission field all over the world.

Donate now at http://www.gofundme.com/booksformks to help these children get reading material!
Continue reading

Savannah Children’s Book Festival

 

Follow Live Oak Public Library at @liveoakplga
Featured Authors:
Keith Hemstreet http://travelswithgannonandwyatt.com/…
Ame Dyckman http://www.amedyckman.com/
Ted Dunagan http://teddunagan.com/
James and Kimberly Dean http://www.petethecatbooks.com/
Jane O’Connor https://www.fancynancyworld.com/creators
Varian Johnson http://www.varianjohnson.com/books.html
Rebecca Emberley http://www.rebeccaemberley.com/
Robert Quackenbush http://rquackenbush.com/
Bob Shea http://bobshea.com/
Jose Lucio http://www.joselucio.com/#heaveho

Books for MKs is a charity organization that donates books to missionary kids on the foreign mission field all over the world.

Donate now at http://www.gofundme.com/booksformks to help these children get reading material! Continue reading

Book Review: Entwined

Entwined
Entwined by Heather Dixon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, I love this book so much! Based on the cover, I thought it was going to be this sweety cutesy teen romance, but it was so much more and had so many levels to the story. Blew me away! Plus, I always love fairytale retellings, and this one is the ‘Twelve Dancing Princesses’.

Azalea is the eldest of the princesses, who have just lost their mother. Since their grieving father is so distant and cold, the girls turn to dancing to remind them of their mother and comfort them in their grief. But the strict rules of Mourning won’t allow dancing, and the girls have to search the castle for a secret place to dance. Continue reading

Classics Review: Framley Parsonage

Framley Parsonage
Framley Parsonage by Anthony Trollope

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mark Robarts, the vicar at Framley Parsonage, has a seemingly perfect life. He has the patronage of the great Lady Lufton, and the friendship of her son, Lord Lufton. He has a darling wife, Fanny, and lovely children, and everything a man could want on a moderate income.

But Mark becomes involved with the “wrong” sort of people, gamblers, debtors, and disreputable gentlemen of society. Mark’s kindness is taken advantage of, and his generosity lands him in a difficult money situation, which will be his ruin unless his high moral standards can eventually be his salvation. Continue reading