Book Review: The Music of the Dolphins

The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse

The Music of Dolphins
by Karen Hesse

4 out of 5 stars

Mila is a wild girl, growing up on a deserted island with a family of dolphins. When she is rescued, she is placed with a doctor who studies the way that humans learn language. The doctor hopes to learn the girl’s dolphin language, and uses music to capture the sounds dolphins make. Mila begins to connect with her caregivers and their families; even the janitor cannot help connecting with this unique girl. At first, Mila is interested to learn English and learn how humans interact and live. But soon, she begins to miss her dolphin family and the simplicity of her life on the island. Her spirit starts to despair and turn inward, searching for the music she used to know.

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Book Review: Griffin’s Castle

Griffin's Castle by Jenny Nimmo

Griffin’s Castle
by Jenny Nimmo

3 out of 5 stars

Dinah and her mother move into a dilapidated old house, where Dinah discovers a small griffin statue. She names the house the Griffin’s Castle, and hopes that they will be able to stay forever. But her mother is not exactly reliable, and the landlord can’t stand children. Dinah notices animal statues in the city, wishing that they could protect her new home. The misty spirit of a lioness statue follows Dinah home, and Dinah can see and feel the lioness even though no one else can. Soon, more of the animals statues begin to follow Dinah home, and they become so real that others can feel their presence. Dinah’s friends at school are worried about her. Are the animals really protecting the house, or are they imprisoning Dinah within the crumbling walls?

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Book Review: Basil in Mexico

Basil in Mexico by Eve Titus

Basil in Mexico (Basil of Baker Street, #4)
by Eve Titus, Paul Galdone (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Basil is the Sherlock Holmes of the mouse world. He listens in on the cases of the great Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street, to learn at the feet of the master. Then Basil can use that knowledge to solve mysteries among the mice of the world. In this book, Basil and his trusty sidekick Dawson are on their way to Mexico to investigate the theft of a famous painting.

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Book Review: The Westing Game

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin

4 out of 5 stars

Sam Westing leaves a puzzle in his will, and any of the heirs who can solve the riddle will win the entire inheritance. The puzzle is, who murdered Sam Westing? The heirs are broken up into teams and given different clues, but only by working together can they solve the mystery.

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Book Review: Basil and the Cave of Cats

Basil and the Pygmy Cats by Eve Titus

Basil and the Pygmy Cats (Basil of Baker Street, #3)
by  Eve Titus, Paul Galdone (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Basil is the Sherlock Holmes of the mouse world. He listens in on the cases of the great Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street, to learn at the feet of the master. Then Basil can use that knowledge to solve mysteries among the mice of the world. When danger calls, Basil is on the case with his trusty friend, Dr. Dawson, at his side.

In this book, Dawson and Basil are traveling to find an ancient island. There is a legend that tiny cats were once ruled by benevolent mice on this isolated island. However, evil Ratigan is also on the hunt, and it’s a race to see who will discover the lost island first.

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Book Review: Basil of Baker Street

Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus

Basil of Baker Street (Basil of Baker Street, #1)
by Eve Titus, Paul Galdone (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

Basil is the Sherlock Holmes of the mouse world. He listens in on the cases of the great Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street, to learn at the feet of the master. Then Basil can use that knowledge to solve mysteries among the mice of the world. When two little mice children are mouse-napped, Basil is on the case with his trusty friend, Dr. Dawson, at his side. They must go up against a gang of criminals who are threatening to destroy everything Basil holds dear.

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Picture Book Review: Rocki and Her Famous Tree

Rocki and Her Famous Tree by Analise G. Duques

Rocki and Her Famous Tree: The (Mostly) True Story of One Owl’s Unexpected Trip to Rockefeller Plaza
by  Analise G. Duques, Varya Shambrook (Illustrator), Ryan A. Duques (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars

When the big Christmas tree is brought to Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, they discover a little hitchhiker who has been snuggled inside the tree since they cut it down- a tiny owl! A young boy recognizes the owl and helps to rescue it. The owl is weak and starving, but the veterinarian nurses the tiny bird back to health, until it ready to be released back into the wild. But will the boy ever see his little owl friend again?

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Christmas Books from Familius

Lit for Little Hands by David Miles

Lit for Little Hands: A Christmas Carol (Volume 4) (Lit for Little Hands, 4)
by David Miles (Adaptor), Brooke Jorden (Adapter)

5 out of 5 stars

This board book tells the story of A Christmas Carol, simplified for little readers. It has interactive pull tabs and flaps to reveal the ghosts of Christmas! Some of the story is told with quotes from the original novel and includes original dialogue as well.

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Picture Book Review: Zander Stays

Zander Stays by Maureen Fergus

Zander Stays
by Maureen Fergus (Goodreads Author), Scot Ritchie  (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

When the other geese fly south for the winter, Zander decides to stay. When the water freezes, he asks the other animals what he should do to prepare for winter. The bear says he should put on a layer of fat. The bats say to snuggle together upside down to stay warm. The squirrel says he should collect lots of nuts to eat. But Zander doesn’t even like nuts! Zander is freezing, ready to give up, when a human finds him and takes him home. They spend the winter skiing and skating and sledding, but also drinking hot chocolate and reading books by the warm fire. The next year, ALL the geese want to stay, and the house is overrun with a huge family of geese!

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Picture Book Review: Fix and Stitch

Fix and Stitch by Barbara Nass

Fix and Stitch
by Barbara Nass, Liza Woodruff (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

As the last leaves of autumn fall, Squirrel begins to close up his tailor shop. He must start to build his winter home before the snow falls. But he meets a Fox who has a torn coat, so Squirrel opens up his shop again to mend it. The Fox promises that he won’t forget Squirrel’s kindness. Squirrel starts collecting materials to build his winter home, but then there is a Porcupine, a Skunk, and a mother Rabbit who need help too! Squirrel sets aside his own tasks and assists each animal. They each promise to help Squirrel and repay his kindness later on, but will they remember? When the first winter snow starts to fall, will Squirrel have to build his winter home alone?

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