I just mailed out all these books to various Missionary Kids!
children’s books
Book Review: Juliet Dove, Queen of Love
Juliet Dove, Queen of Love by Bruce Coville
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I listened to this on audiobook, and I think that really made a difference to the story, hearing an entire cast of characters reading the dialogue. There was so much acting and expression put into every sentence that it made the story really come alive!
This is the tale of Juliet, who is a shy young teen with a literary and artistic family. When a mysterious woman gives her an enchanted amulet, every boy in town starts to fall in love with her. It’s up to Juliet and her new rodent friends from the Magic Shop to unravel the mystery of the amulet, and get Juliet out of the ancient love story she is doomed to relive.
First of all, I love stories that bring in the old Greek gods into modern settings (because of Percy Jackson). Secondly, I love stories with wise-cracking rats or mice. And thirdly, I love stories with strong family relationships with both a mother and father present and involved and actually parenting (instead of dead, divorced, or absent). Continue reading
Side Characters Who Need Their Own Book
Book Review: Floors
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is the story of Leo, who lives in a hotel that resembles an amusement park more than a hotel. There are secret rooms, secret elevators, and secret trains running through the in-between hidden floors of the hotel. When the owner of the hotel, Mr. Whippet, goes missing, he leaves clues for Leo to follow throughout the hotel, discovering its secrets, and saving the hotel from being torn down. But he insists that Leo take a friend with him for safety, so Leo brings the new bellboy, Remi, along for his adventures. Leo also has to bring one of the ducks from the hotel’s pond along with him as he explores the hotel, and Betty the Duck proves more useful than he expected! Continue reading
Series Review: The Debt
I started out really loving this series! The books are fast paced and the adventure is non-stop. There are so many mysterious elements in the story, not the least of which is the evil Debt mafia who are giving Dom, the main character, six impossible tasks to complete. I love a good puzzle, and these books are just one enigma after another!
However, by the time I got to the last two books, I was seeing some message in the books that I did not agree with. Messages like “School is not for everyone. You can quit and get a job instead.” Messages like “Underage drinking is okay, as long as you can handle it like a man.” Messages like “You are in charge of your own life. You don’t need God to tell you what to do.”
Keep reading to see my reviews of each book, and you’ll see how I loved these books in the beginning and then it was a quick descent into extreme disappointment by the last book. Continue reading
Book Review: I’m Not Afraid
I’m Not Afraid by Lee Ann Mancini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the story of Susie the shark and her friend Rachel, who go to the amusement park, but Susie is too scared to go on the roller coasters. Susie learns that you don’t have to be afraid because courage comes from God! As part of the Adventures of the Sea Kids series, each book of the series has a definite Christian message. Continue reading
Recent Reads
Under the Mango Trees
A missionary family in Papua New Guinea tells us how they are using the books they receive from Books for MKs!
Donate NOW to send them a package of books! http://www.gofundme.com/booksformks
Recent Reads: Rothfuss, Little House, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, The Debt
Book Review: Messenger
Messenger by Lois Lowry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am completely in love with the entire Giver quartet so far, and this third book is no exception!
This book follows Matty, whom we met in Gathering Blue, and his journey of self-discovery as he finds a power/gift within himself that he never had before.
As in the other books, we are introduced to a community where everything seems peaceful and content, but there is a dark secret in this seemingly happy society and there is a mystery for Matty to solve. It’s never what I think it’s going to be! I’m always surprised at the mystery, and so impressed with the deep social themes that are addressed. Continue reading
Luminous Libro 