middle grade
Book Review: In the Hand of the Goddess
In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness, #2)
by Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author)
by Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author)
2.5 out of 5 stars
Alanna is a teenage girl who pretends to be a boy so that she can train as a squire and learn to be a knight in the royal palace of Tortall. Only a few people know about Alanna’s true identity, among them, her dearest friends, Prince Jonathan, and George, the King of Thieves. In the midst of a war with a neighboring kingdom, Alanna starts out with a determination to focus on her knightly studies, but she gets distracted by the temptations of love. With the protection of a Goddess upon her, Alanna uses her magic to unmask a deadly enemy within the very walls of the palace.
I was disappointed in this book. So disappointed in Alanna. She makes very bad decisions,
Book Review: Gannon and Wyatt: Hawaii
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Hawaii
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Another fantastic adventure with twin brothers Gannon and Wyatt, this time in beautiful Hawaii. The twins rescue a drowning man, who urges them to hide a secret map for him. The map may contain clues to the ancient burial place of Hawaii’s King Kamehameha the Great, and Gannon and Wyatt set out on a treasure hunt to find it with the help of their guide, Alana. A mysterious archaeologist is also searching for King Kamehameha’s tomb, and is determined to take the map from the twins. Gannon and Wyatt survive a mountainous blizzard, explore a jungle, trek around lava flows, and delve deep into the culture and history of Hawaii. Continue reading
Alanna Readalong + Review
Giselle’s Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEziOYbzXWpSf41Uxjoc_tg/
Giselle’s Announcement Video: https://youtu.be/CQokH6AMmVw
Alanna series on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/43928-song-of-the-lioness
Book Review: Alanna: The First Adventure
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1)
by Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author)
by Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars
Alanna switches places with her twin brother, so that he can study magic with the priests and become a sorcerer, and Alanna can study to become a knight in the royal palace. She pretends to be a boy, and joins the pages in the palace. She learns to fight and begins to control her magical abilities. But it’s difficult keeping her biggest secret, her true gender, from all the boys around her!
I really enjoyed this book, and I read it in one sitting! Couldn’t put it down. The writing style has a few flaws, but the memorable characters and fascinating plot make up for it. A few trite “fairy tale” sort of things pop up (King of Thieves, a horse named Moonlight, a sword named Lightning), but I like them anyway. Not exactly original sometimes, but the oldies are the goodies. Continue reading
Book Review: Strawberry Girl
Strawberry Girl
by Lois Lenski
by Lois Lenski
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
I liked this book about a family who moves to a new farm in Florida, during the pioneer days, determined to make the farm a success with a beautiful orchard and strawberry grove.
Birdie is excited to become a Strawberry Girl, but is worried that the disgruntled neighbors will make trouble for her family. When the neighbor’s pigs and cows trample over the new strawberry plants, Birdie’s father is outraged and vows to fence in his property to keep them out. This begins a feud between the two farmers, but the farmer’s children are eager to make friends. Only Birdie and her forgiving mother can make peace between the warring neighbors, and make both farms a success! Continue reading
Birdie is excited to become a Strawberry Girl, but is worried that the disgruntled neighbors will make trouble for her family. When the neighbor’s pigs and cows trample over the new strawberry plants, Birdie’s father is outraged and vows to fence in his property to keep them out. This begins a feud between the two farmers, but the farmer’s children are eager to make friends. Only Birdie and her forgiving mother can make peace between the warring neighbors, and make both farms a success! Continue reading
Recent Reads: Classics, YA, MG
Book Review: Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Gannon and Wyatt are working on a farm in Ireland, soaking in the rich Irish countryside, when they discover water pollution in the nearby river. It’s up to the twins to speak out, and bring the illegal pollution to the attention of the authorities. While they are gathering evidence, a dangerous suspect is determined to stop them, and the twins find themselves on the run in a mysterious Irish forest.
Gannon is certain that fairies, elves, and maybe even leprechauns, are stalking them in the forest. But Wyatt, ever the scientist, is only focused on getting their evidence of the pollution safely away, so they can be used to convict the suspects.
Another exciting book in the Gannon and Wyatt series! I am loving all these travel books! Continue reading
Book Review: Emily and the Spellstone
Emily and the Spellstone
by Michael Rubens (Goodreads Author)
by Michael Rubens (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Emily hates adventures, but when she discovers a magical stone that acts as a cellphone, she is thrown into a magical adventure that proves she is strong and resourceful against the greatest of enemies. A fiery monster named Gorgo is trapped in the Spellstone, and vows to eat Emily if he ever gets free. But Emily needs his help to defeat the nasty people who are seeking the stone’s power for their own evil purposes.
I loved the wit and humor of this book! The dialogue is snappy and every new magical situation is hilariously weird. The plot is full of action and danger. The characters are beautifully written with plenty of contrast and development. Continue reading
Book Review: Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Greenland
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Greenland
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodREads
Another wonderful book in this series! Twin brothers, Gannon and Wyatt, travel across Greenland by dogsled, racing to the rescue of a native group of travelers whose dogs have mysteriously fallen ill. Battling the harsh winds and below freezing temperatures, they will need every bit of courage and strength to survive.
I love the writing in these books! You can really feel the desperation of the characters, their awe at the beauty of Greenland, and their struggle to find the inner strength to endure such harsh conditions. It’s a really emotional story, with lots of action and danger too.
Luminous Libro 