review

Non Fiction Book Reviews: Atlas of Extinct Animals and Atlas of Endangered Animals

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Atlas of Extinct Animals by Radek Malý
Atlas of Endangered Animals by Radek Malý

Atlas of Extinct Animals
by Radek Malý, Pavel Dvorský, Jiří Grbavčic

Atlas of Endangered Animals
by Radek Malý, Pavel Dvorský, Pavla Dvorská

4 out of 5 stars

The Atlas of Extinct Animals lists information about particular species that have now tragically gone extinct, and the Atlas of Endangered Animals gives information about currently endangered species.

I really like the design of these books; on one side there is a full-page illustration of the animal, and on the other side a page of text detailing in what type of habitat the animal lived, its main characteristics, and what it ate, and finally how it went extinct or why it is currently endangered. There is even a little map, showing where the animal lived or lives.

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Book Review: The Wizard in the Wood

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The Wizard in the Wood by Louie Stowell

The Wizard in the Wood (The Dragon in the Library, #3)
by Louie Stowell

4 out of 5 stars

Kit, Josh, and Alita are privileged to witness the birth of a new baby dragon along with their new school library! But dark wizards are sneaking around the new library, and it is up to Kit to protect the baby dragon. Josh and Alita want to help too, but Kit is the one with the magical abilities. She tries to take on all the responsibility, but finds that it is too much for her to handle alone.

I loved this book from start to finish! The characters, the plot, the world-building, the magic; everything is wonderful! The writing style is absolutely hilarious! There are so many cute bits of dialogue and funny scenes that had me laughing.

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Non Fiction Review: Atlas of Cats

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Atlas of Cats by Helena Haraštová

Atlas of Cats
by Helena Haraštová ,Jana Sedlackova, Giulia Lombardo (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

This book gives information about all the different breeds of cats, how they first developed, what their temperaments are like, and how to tell them apart from other cat breeds. There are also cat stories told from the perspective of the cats in their own newspaper, “Meow News”.

This book is so adorable! I love the attractive design and the sweet artwork. Every page is so colorful, and all the kitties are so cute!

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Non Fiction Review: A Dab of Dickens and a Touch of Twain

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A Dab of Dickens A Touch of Twain by Elliot Engel

A Dab of Dickens A Touch of Twain: Literary Lives from Shakespeare’s Old England to Frost’s New England
by Elliot Engel

2 out of 5 stars

This book gives short biographies of literature’s greatest authors and poets, including Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Poe, the Brontes, the Brownings, Dickens, George Eliot, Emily Dickinson, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Hardy, Doyle, D.H. Lawrence, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Frost.

These are actually classroom lectures that have been written out, and the writing style reflects that. It doesn’t feel like a normal biography or literary essay. The style is more conversational. I really hated that, because the author tries to be funny and clever and does not succeed. The dad jokes are numerous.

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Classic Book Review: Lady Susan

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Lady Susan by Jane Austen

Lady Susan
by Jane Austen

4 out of 5 stars

Lady Susan is charming and vivacious. Lady Susan lies to everyone. Lady Susan flirts with anything in pants! Lady Susan tries to persuade her daughter, Frederica, to marry. Frederica doesn’t like the gentlemen, so Lady Susan manipulates and schemes. Lady Susan is greedy and immoral, but… she is not boring.

The epistolary style is my favorite thing about this little book. It was so fun to see from all the different perspectives of the characters. They all have a strong opinion of Lady Susan, and they aren’t afraid to express it in their letters! Lady Susan’s letters to her friend, Alicia, are so full of malice and deceit. Ooh, it’s thrilling!

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Picture Book Review: Nour’s Secret Library

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Nour's Secret Library by Wafa' Tarnowska

Nour’s Secret Library
by Wafa’ Tarnowska, Vali Mintzi (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Nour and her cousin Amir must hide in the basement with their family while the Syrian civil war rages through their beloved city of Damascus. In the rubble of abandoned buildings, Amir finds books that he brings home. Amir and Nour collect so many books that they open their own secret library for the civilians of the city to enjoy. Their neighbors begin to rescue books from the war-torn streets as well, and soon they have a flourishing library. In the middle of destruction, they create something beautiful!

This was such touching and emotional story! I loved the way the story puts you right into Nour’s shoes, showing her love for her family and her love for books. You really get a sense of the terror and uncertainty of living in the middle of a war. But there is also hope and light!

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Book Reviews: Museum Kittens The Sleepover Mystery and The Treasure Map

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The Sleepover Mystery by Holly Webb

The Sleepover Mystery (Museum Kittens)
by Holly Webb,Sarah Lodge (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

In this third book of the series, Bianca befriends a group of schoolchildren who are at the museum for a sleepover. She loves all the attention she gets for her beautiful white fur! But the rats are scampering around the museum at night, frightening the children. When Bianca disappears, the other kittens look everywhere for her and finally confront the rats. Maybe the rats kidnapped Bianca? Or maybe Bianca wants to run away with the schoolchildren?

The Treasure Map by Holly Webb

The Treasure Map (Museum Kittens)
by Holly Webb

4 out of 5 stars

Boris leads the kittens in exploring an old pirate ship in the museum. They overhear the mischievous rats talking about a treasure map, and begin to follow the rats in order to claim the treasure for the museum. I really enjoyed the puzzle aspect of this fourth book in the series! As the kittens follow the clues, they really have to think carefully to figure out where the treasure might be hidden.

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Classic Book Review: Pride and Prejudice

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Pride and Prejudice with Related Readings by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice with Related Readings
by Jane Austen

5 out of 5 stars

Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters are eager to make the acquaintance of their new neighbors, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. They meet and dance together at various country balls and events. However, Elizabeth is frequently embarrassed by her mother’s vulgar manners and her little sisters flirtations with army officers. Elizabeth must navigate the social criticism of her sisters’ romances, while fending off a few proposals of her own.

I just love the witty dialogue between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. There is so much sparkling dialogue in the whole book, and it is a delight to read. The entire writing style is so polished and easy to read! The plot flows along so naturally and with so much energy that you barely notice all the little genius sub-plots that are happening.

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Book Review: Dragon and Slave

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Dragon and Slave by Timothy Zahn

Dragon and Slave (Dragonback, #3)
by Timothy Zahn (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars

Jack and his friend/symbiont Draycos are looking for information about who attacked Draycos’ people. They try to infiltrate a mercenary compound by posing as slaves, certain that they will be able to escape later. However, things take a nasty turn when Jack becomes a slave for real, and is sent to work in the fields with the other slaves.

The plot is full of non-stop action, and I was very interested in the world-building of the planet Brum-a-dum. Jack and Draycos meet so many different types of aliens, and they are all really imaginative and memorable! I love the writing style, the characters, the plot twists, and everything!

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Picture Book Review: Rooftop Garden

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Rooftop Garden by Danna Smith

Rooftop Garden
by Danna Smith (Author), Pati Aguilera (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

A group of neighbors decide to plant a rooftop garden. They plant the seeds, water them, and weed. They encourage pollinators like butterflies and bees, but they gently remove the pesky bugs and snails. Finally they can harvest their crop of vegetables and have a big feast!

I liked the illustrations, and I especially appreciated that the neighbors are from all types of ethnicities and ages. On each page, we see them all working together to build their garden. The art style is simple and attractive with bright colors.

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