books.

Book Review: On the Shoulders of Hobbits

Posted by

0

On the Shoulders of Hobbits by Louis A. Markos

On the Shoulders of Hobbits: The Road to Virtue with Tolkien and Lewis
by  Louis A. Markos, Peter Kreeft (Foreword)

5 out of 5 stars

This book explores the classical virtues and vices through the lens of Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia. Although they may be fantasy, these stories guide us to live a life of virtue. As the characters in fiction represent virtues such as courage and faith, we can be inspired to follow in their footsteps in our own life stories. They teach us to fight for justice, to cling to hope, and live with temperance.

Continue reading →

Poetry Review: The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

Posted by

0

The Adventures Of Tom Bombadil by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Adventures Of Tom Bombadil
by J.R.R. Tolkien, Pauline Baynes (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

This collection of poems set in the world of Middle Earth is a perfect companion to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien wrote these poems as if they had been written by Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam and included in the Red Book along with all the stories of their adventures. It’s really interesting to see how each poem is written in a slightly different style depending on who is supposed to have written it.

Continue reading →

Book Review: A Book Dragon

Posted by

0

A Book Dragon by Donn Kushner

A Book Dragon
by Donn Kushner

4 out of 5 stars

Nonesuch is a dragon without a treasure. When his grandmother dies, she leaves behind a substantial treasure of gold and jewels, but it doesn’t really feel quite right to Nonesuch. He goes through a transformation and discovers that he can shrink down to the size of an insect if he doesn’t eat much, or he can grow larger again if he eats more. He is curious about humans, so he shrinks down and flies into an abbey where a monk is painstakingly writing and illuminating a prayer book. The monk is inspired by the sight of a tiny dragon and begins to draw him into the margins of the book. When a thief threatens to steal the precious book, Nonesuch knows that he has found a treasure he will guard with all his heart. But he is trapped along with the book in a strong box and can’t get out for centuries. When he emerges into the modern world, Nonesuch must find new ways to navigate the world of men and protect his treasure.

Continue reading →

Book Review: The Perilous Gard

Posted by

0

The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope

The Perilous Gard
by Elizabeth Marie Pope

5 out of 5 stars

Kate Sutton is banished from the Queen’s court and forced into house-arrest at a remote castle with Sir Geoffrey Heron as her guardian. There Kate hears wild rumors about fairy folk and dark magic in the forest and caves surrounding the castle. There is a holy well that seems to grant healing and good fortune to those who drop money into it, but a child was lost down the well and Sir Geoffrey and his brother Christopher warn Kate to stay away from the area. Despite their warnings, Kate begins to suspect that something evil is lurking about the castle and she starts to ask questions about the mysterious fairy folk. She learns of their terrible tradition to commit a human sacrifice in order to gather the power of a human life to sustain their spells.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Losing the Plot

Posted by

0

Losing the Plot by Annaleise Byrd

Losing the Plot (Losing the Plot #1)
by  Annaleise Byrd 

4 out of 5 stars

Bookish Basil has to help his sporty neighbor Terry with his reading skills, and the two sit down to read the Grimm’s Fairy Tales. When Basil starts fiddling with a special bookmark that matches the book cover, Gretel jumps out of the book pages! She begs them to return with her to the fairy tale world to rescue her brother Hansel, who has been kidnapped. If they can’t return Hansel to his story, the whole fairy tale world might collapse under the plot hole.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow

Posted by

0

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
by Jessica Day George

4 out of 5 stars

When the woodcutter’s daughter is born into a large family, her mother is so disappointed at having yet another girl that she refuses to give the child a name. The girl is simply called “the pika” (which means “girl”) or referred to as “the lass”. When she is grown, a mysterious polar bear comes to their cottage and begs her to live in his ice palace for a year. Knowing that he must be under some kind of enchantment, the lass agrees to go with him. She is sure that she can break the curse he is under, and she investigates the mysteries of the ice palace. But every time she asks the servants questions, she is putting herself and them in danger.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Alice Eclair Spy Extraordinaire: A Recipe for Trouble

Posted by

0

Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire by Sarah Todd Taylor

Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire: A Recipe for Trouble (Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire!, 1)
by Sarah Todd Taylor 

3.5 out of 5 stars
13-year-old Alice has been receiving mysterious coded instructions to do some spy work. In 1930s Paris, Alice knows that spies are always at work to protect France and counteract other foreign spies. Her own uncle was a spy until his death, and he taught her all about codes and ciphers. Alice receives a mission to board the famous Sapphire Express and steal some papers from a foreign spy. She is hired as a pastry chef on the luxurious train and begins to observe all the wealthy first-class passengers very carefully, looking for any suspicious behavior. Everyone is a suspect, but after some strange clues are revealed, Alice begins to wonder what is really going on aboard the Sapphire Express.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Warrior Princess

Posted by

0

Warrior Princess by Allan Frewin Jones

Warrior Princess (Warrior Princess, #1)
by Allan Frewin Jones

2 out of 5 stars

Branwen is the daughter of a royal house on the edge of Saxon territory. When her brother is killed, she vows to get revenge on the evil Saxons who raided their lands. But her father sends her to the South to be married and strengthen their alliances with neighboring lords. On the way south, Branwen is delayed at the grand castle of a much richer prince, and his sophisticated wife and daughters think Branwen is wild and uncouth. She wanders the forest around the castle and meets a mysterious woman with magical powers who promises to make Branwen into a formidable warrior. Branwen also stumbles across a boy who might or might not be a Saxon spy.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Penguin and Panda Winterfest

Posted by

0

The Adventures of Penguin and Panda by Brenda Maier

The Adventures of Penguin and Panda: Winterfest: Graphic Novel (3)
by Brenda Maier (Goodreads Author), Fanni Mézes (illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Penguin is very nervous about trying any new winter sports, because she thinks she will get injured. But Panda helps her to find the fun in winter sports! They go to buy a Christmas tree together, but the best tree is really expensive, so they take on some extra jobs to make some more money. Penguin has a very long list of holiday activities to do, but Panda helps her to relax and let go of the busy holiday schedule.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Ghostly Echoes

Posted by

0

Ghostly Echoes by William Ritter

Ghostly Echoes (Jackaby, #3)
by William Ritter 

4 out of 5 stars

Abigail Rook and Mr. Jackaby are trying to solve a murder from ten years ago – the murder of their dearly departed friend Jenny, the resident ghost in Jackaby’s house. Whenever Jenny tries to remember her death, she is overwhelmed by an “echo” and dissolves into darkness. It might take her hours to recover a visible form again after an episode like that. When a new string of murders seems to mirror the same circumstances as Jenny’s murder, Abigail will do anything to uncover the clues, but Jackaby warns that they should be cautious when dealing with ghostly echoes. He is afraid of pushing Jenny too far in exploring her memories. Once again, Miss Rook and Mr. Jackaby are dealing with the supernatural as a greater evil becomes apparent. They have hidden in the shadows for years, but now Jackaby will bring their dastardly plans into the light.

Continue reading →