Non-fiction Review: Why Not?

National Geographic Kids Why Not? by Crispin Boyer
National Geographic Kids Why Not?: Over 1,111 Answers to Everything 
by Crispin Boyer

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


This colorful book explores questions like “Why isn’t the sky orange instead of blue?”, “Why don’t animals need to brush their teeth?” and “Why doesn’t the moon have a name?”.
With a thousand detailed and interesting answers to every weird question you never thought to ask, this book is full of strange and weird facts about animals, space, biology, geology, technology, and many other subjects.
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Classic Review: Martin Chuzzlewit

Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens
Martin Chuzzlewit 
by Charles Dickens

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Old Martin Chuzzlewit is disgusted with his greedy relatives who only want his money, so he disinherits everyone, including his grandson, Young Martin, who is named after him. Young Martin falls in love with an orphaned ward, Mary Graham, who acts as Old Martin’s nursemaid. But the two young people are torn apart when the family quarrel causes Young Martin to seek his fortune out in the world.

When he goes to work for a hypocritical architect, Mr. Pecksniff, Young Martin befriends poor Tom Pinch, a lowly clerk with a good and innocent heart. Because of his generosity and humility, Tom is always being taken advantage of and overlooked.

Mr. Pecksniff and his two daughters renew their relationship with their cousin, Jonas Chuzzlewit, a devious man who longs to inherit the family business and be rid of his doddering old father.

This book includes blackmail, murder, hidden identities, and fraud, as well as two sweet romances, hilarious characters, and a compelling redemption story. Continue reading

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451 
by Ray Bradbury

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Guy Montag is a fireman, burning illegal books and the homes where they are found. His world falls apart when he meets a girl with big ideas who teaches him to stop and relish life, and an old professor who teaches him about a past when people were allowed to think for themselves. Continue reading

Non-Fiction Revew: Weird But True! 10

Weird But True 10 by National Geographic Kids
Weird But True 10 
by National Geographic Kids

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


This interesting book combines colorful illustrations and photos with tid-bits of weird information about history, science, biology, culture, animal life, and a million other subjects!

I read through the entire book in just a half hour, fascinated with every wacky statement and attracted to each page by the stunning photos. I learned so many freaky things, like that jellyfish used to have hard shells, there is an albino humpback whale off the coast of Australia, and that it’s against the law in the USA for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs! haha! Weird and random and hilarious! Continue reading

Comic Review: Ozy and Millie

Ozy and Millie by Dana Simpson
Ozy and Millie 
by Dana Simpson

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


These funny comic strips follow two fox friends, Ozy and Millie, as they struggle through school, bicker with their parents over chores, and contemplate the meaning of the universe. Each comic has it’s own punch line, but the comics also follow a storyline, building on one another and giving the book some cohesion.

Ozy is the “straight man” for Millie’s wild comedy. Millie has crazy ideas, and bounces around being strange and wonderful, saying the most bonkers things you ever heard. And Ozy calmly points out her folly with delicious sarcasm. They are so hilarious together!
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