Book Review: A Servant Like Jesus

A Servant Like Jesus
A Servant Like Jesus by Lee Ann Mancini

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlie is a little crab at his first day of Fish School, and he’s too shy to join the other children in class. But when a schoolmate gets injured, it’s up to Charlie to pray for the courage to jump in and help.

The illustrations are so cute! I love the bright colors and adorable little fish friends. The best part is the hidden Bible symbol on each page. I love searching for hidden objects in pictures, and this will keep children engaged and interested through multiple readings.

This would be the perfect book for any children who are shy or feel overwhelmed by fear in new situations, because it teaches that if we pray for courage, and focus on helping others rather than focusing on our own fears or discomfort, Christ will give us the bravery to do good and serve others for His glory! Continue reading

MK Usborne BOok Haul

Usborne Books: https://w4455.myubam.com/
Donate now at http://www.gofundme.com/booksformks to help these missions children get reading material!
Books for MKs is a charity organization that donates books to missionary kids on the foreign mission field all over the world.

 

Series Review: Pottermore Presents 1-3

Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies by J.K. Rowling

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Minerva McGonagall is my favorite of all the teachers at Hogwarts, and I loved reading about her backstory, her quiet heroism, and her moral fortitude. Even after having read most of it on Pottermore.com, I enjoyed reading it a second time!

Remus Lupin is my second favorite character Continue reading

Book Review: Nooks & Crannies

Nooks & Crannies
Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Tabitha receives a mysterious invitation to visit the reclusive Countess of Windermere, Tabitha leaves her life of isolation behind, and hopes to find new friends among the other five children who have also been summoned. Since her only friend is her pet mouse, Pemberley, Tabitha has difficulty at first keeping up a conversation with other children, but learns to relax and trust her companions as they begin to unravel the mystery of the Countess and her intentions.

Drawing on her literary experiences reading mystery novels, Tabitha leads the children’s investigation into the rumors of ghosts at Windermere, the ailing maid who has suffered a stroke, and the odd Countess herself who has many secrets. When things don’t add up, Tabitha is the one who discovers the truth that will change all their lives forever.

An exciting plot, wonderful writing style, and a whole cast of interesting characters! I love the humor and little aside comments in the writing. So funny! Continue reading

Book Review: The Anybodies

The Anybodies
The Anybodies by N.E. Bode

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fern is a magical girl with a secret parentage, and when she meets her true father, The Bone, and leaves her extremely dull adoptive parents, she is swept into adventure and danger. The Bone’s archnemesis, The Miser, is lurking in the shadows and plotting evil, and it’s up to Fern to discover the secrets of her parents’ murky past in order to puzzle through the future and find her true identity. Continue reading

Book Review: The Great Cheese Conspiracy

The Great Cheese Conspiracy
The Great Cheese Conspiracy by Jean Van Leeuwen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an adorable little book about some mice living in a movie theater, who watch a lot of films about bank robbers. When they decide their gang is going to rob a cheese store, they come up with one hilarious plan after another and have several daring escapes, but no cheese. It’s up to their fearless leader to pull off the biggest cheese heist in mouse history!

I love stories about mice because they are the ultimate underdog characters! These little guys come up with some ingenious and hilarious projects, and I love the humor and silliness in the writing.

This would be the perfect book to read aloud to children, or for a child just starting to read chapter books. So cute!

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Graphic Novel Review: Laddertop

Laddertop, Volume 1
Laddertop, Volume 1 by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Robbi and Azure are chosen from among their classmates to train for Laddertop Academy, a space station that hires gifted children to do maintenance work in the miles of tiny service tunnels. Laddertop space station was a gift from an alien race, but the aliens disappeared soon after. When Robbi begins her training, she finds out that Laddertop holds mysteries and enigmas that could destroy Earth or save it.

Robbi and Azure are excellent characters, with Azure providing some humor and Robbi being the serious-minded protagonist.
I really liked the interaction between all the children in training. They poke fun at each other, make friends and sometimes enemies, but it’s never boring!

The world building is very intriguing! The Laddertop space station is set up in such a unique way, and the humans who run it don’t really understand what it is capable of. I’m dying to know what those aliens are up to, and what role Robbi will play in their plans!

I really need to get my hands on the 2nd volume!

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Book Review: Ennara and the Fallen Druid

Ennara and the Fallen Druid
Ennara and the Fallen Druid by Angela Myron

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ennara has to hide her identity as a child with magical abilities, because she would most likely be kidnapped, enslaved, and forced to use her magic to benefit evil masters. She wears gloves to cover the tattoos on her hands that mark her as a magic user, but her mentor, Tork, trains her in the use of white magic.
When a shadowy demon begins attacking her village, Ennara is sent on a quest with Tork to recover the only weapon that could defeat the shadows, the Sword of Gisilfrid. But the sword is hidden in a sunken city deep below the ocean waves, and Ennara will need the help of her friends to defeat the evil Fallen Druid and retrieve the sword.

Treachery, spies, shadow magic, elemental magic, adventure, magical history, quests, friendship, love, and of course the power of family… this book has a great story line! I love how there is such an emphasis on light and sunshine and warmth, as opposed to the darkness and shadows. Continue reading