Our Reading Hour

Puppy Place by Ellen Miles

2011-09-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Bumblebee's Buzz:
about a book and why I like it:
The Puppy place series rocks and you will love it and you have to read it because even my Grandma likes it and I have read all of the books and I HAVE TO READ BELLA AND BANDIT. LIZZY AND CHARLES ROCK!!!! ALL OF THE BOOKS ARE THE BEST!!! READ MAGGIE AND MAX, CHEWEY AND CHICA, BAXTER, AND BELLLAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! do not read Ziggy though I don't like it. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD FOR 8 AND UP!! THEY FOSTER DOGS THAT ARE ADORABLE!!! EACH BOOK HAS 10 CHAPTERS!! ELLEN MILES IS TOTALLY COOL! I don't think I will like kitty corner though...

Penguin's Praise:
I really like these books too!! Ellen Miles really makes these seem like they could have happened. I almost feel like I could drive down to Littleton and say "Hi!" to Lizzie and Charles.
The storyline is pretty simple: Lizzie and Charles love dogs. Until (and after) they get their own dog, they get to foster puppies. (if you don't know what fostering is: Fostering is when you take care of a dog [or a cat, or a child, or any living thing really] until they find the perfect home with the perfect family to take care of him/her for the rest of his/her life; usually called a Forever Home or Forever Family.) The books' titles are the name of the dog featured (Goldie is about fostering Goldie, etc.)
The order goes like this:
Goldie
Snowball
Shadow
Rascal
Buddy
Flash
Scout
Patches
Pugsley
Maggie and Max *cat AND a dog*
Noodle
Princess
Cody
Bear
Lucky
Honey
Jack
Sweetie
Chewy and Chica **special edition**
Baxter
Muttley
Ziggy
Bella
Moose
Bandit (Feb. 1, 2012)
Cocoa (?)
Rocky (?)
Lucy (?)
You really don't need to read them in any specific order, although some may mention another dog's new Home, and in one of them they get their own dog (I won't say which, though!)
Each book it alternates whether Charles or Lizzie narrates the book (and in Chewey and Chica it alternates through the chapters)
Ellen Miles is also writing Kitty Corner!
I will say it: I am way older than Bumblebee, and I L-O-V-E these books (more than Warriors? Uh, no. But Warriors is exceptional.)

Genre: Fiction, realistic fiction
Author: Ellen Miles
Fear Factors: Well... Charles and Lizzie are very young, so sometimes do something dumb that makes you say "Oh Charles, don't, oh please....." and a few dogs come to them scratched up and maybe diseased, but no dog ever dies. No dog is every severely hurt (the worst was probably an infected cut and worms). But a few slightly sad or tense moments happen, and these are quickly dealt with so they all end up happy. Very happy :)
Age Range: 8+ read-to-myself books, probably....5-6+ read-aloud.
Reading/Content Level: Reading level? 2nd grade, maybe, 8 year olds?. Content Level? Probably 4 year olds, if they would pay attention long enough! 5 or 6 year olds probably have the right interest level and attention span.

Koko's Kitten by

2011-09-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

What do Bumblebees like more than anything else in the world?
Well, I'm not sure about actual Bumblebees. But my favorite Bumblebee is enamored of...kittens. And although she's nearly 9 and reads on a Middle School or higher grade level...She still much prefers picture books.
There's nothing wrong with picture books. And I'm a huge fan of them. They make bedtime reading much easier on crazy late nights.
So any picture books about kittens are top of her list. But I'm trying to find high level picture books for her to enjoy. Things like "For the Love of Autumn" by Patricia Polacco. Or "Tikvah Means Hope", also by Patricia Polacco. (Ms. Polacco writes a lot of high level picture books, we've found.)
And then I remembered a story I loved when I was young. One that combined Bumblebee's love of cats with her love of endangered animals.
Koko's Kitten. A quick library search revealed 3 copies in the nonfiction section, and I made a special trip.
Of course, we were able to read it in one night. It is a high interest level book, which can be enjoyed by grades 1 and up but is probably best suited for grades 3-4.
Those of us who grew up in the 80's probably remember Koko, the gorilla who learned how to communicate using sign language and subsequently dreamed of a kitten for Christmas.
Something Ms. Bumblebee can relate pretty strongly to.
This book is illustrated with actual photographs. I remember them being more classic...but I read it first when it was published, 20 odd years ago. And now, the photos definitely do look dated. Not terribly dated...but the assistant's hair is definitely 80's!
We enjoyed the story of Koko. I wish that it had been a little more in depth, and the materialistic view (Of her handler asking specifically what Koko wants as gifts) is harder for my kids to conceptualize than one might think. I'd rather read about what she eats and does during the day. But, that's neither here nor there.
What I didn't remember about the highly publicized story was that it's sad.
The reason it made headlines was, of course, because Koko wanted a kitten to help her through the grieving process after her first beloved kitten dies in a car accident. The book doesn't dwell on the emotional impact, but it's sad.
Eventually, of course, a new kitten is found and all is well. The entire book is written as a nonfiction retelling of what happens between when the handler figures out that Koko wants a real kitten (not a toy) and her finding the second kitten. It's not really in "story" format, and it's told first person from the handler's point of view.
Bumblebee read it three or four times, Penguin read it twice. So, it still holds it's appeal to today's audience. Parents and caretakers may not be as eager to read the whole thing aloud more than once, though.

It's still recommended reading for lovers of gorillas, kittens, and sign language. :-)

Doc

2011-09-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

The legendary Wyatt Earp and his sidekick Doc Holliday were made famous by dime store novelist Bat Masterson. Bat was a shrewd writer, who knew a good story when he saw it and perhaps took a bit more liberty with fact than was entirely ethical. But his sensationalist versions of the events at the OK Corral spurred a legend that is alive and well over a hundred years later.
The book Doc reveals something a little closer to the truth about Doc Holliday. He was a twenty something young man with tuberculosis. Raised to be a southern gentleman, orphaned and then sent west by concerned relatives in hopes that his health would improve, circumstances shifted and morals blurred.
This was a beautifully written story about a man who wanted to live, would be content to die, but was trapped somewhere in between taunted by Hope. He befriended the Earp brothers, observed politics from a disgusted distance, and survived the best way he could for a good 9 years. The story takes place well before the infamous shootout at the OK Corral.
In "Doc", we touch upon Holliday's early years and then get to know him as a young man in his early twenties. We meet his girlfriend, Kate, and his dear friends Wyatt and Morgan Earp. We don't meet a cynical gunman. We find instead, an aspiring dentist who knows he's going to die young one way or another. While he waits, he chooses to make what he can of life and live the best way he knows how.
This was a fascinating look inside one of the Wild West's biggest legends. Highly recommended!

Content Warnings: There is a lot of drinking, and plenty of questionable morals. Kate is a whore, as is historically accurate. There is brutal death, and not so brutal death. It's the wild west. The book isn't appropriate for kids under 16, but those 16 and up will love it.

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by

2011-09-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter fans beware! The new kid on the block is a young girl named Theodosia, who lives in early twentieth century Britain. Her parents are curators of an Egyptian museum, and her cat is named Isis. Oh, and she can sense Egyptian curses, and has the know how to rid ancient artifacts of them. Unfortunately, none of the adults she is in contact with seem aware of her abilities.
In fact, most of them don't believe that the curses exist. They don't believe in magic, either.
Bother.
In the first installment of the series, Theodosia finds herself enmeshed in a plot to overthrow...well, the world, really, and allow Chaos to reign. Somehow, this eleven year old girl ends up the only hope Britain has after her mother makes a unique discovery in an archaelogical dig.
The second installment, Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris, has her discovering a powerful relic in the museum's storage space, and then finds herself knee deep in trouble from just about everywhere. Suddenly her father's museum is chock full of mummys, the Serpents of Chaos are after the relic, and her grandmother is saddling her with governess after governess (each one more difficult than the last). Of course, it's up to Theodosia and her loyal pickpocket friend to save the day...if they can.
The third installment (yes, they saved the day. But only the day, as you may surmise from the fact that there are third and fourth installments to the series) Theodosia investigates a magician of questionable scruples. She is appalled that anyone would turn egyptian magic into a circus act type show, but senses there is something more to Awi Bubu than meets the eye. And then she inadvertently uncovers yet another precious artifact in her parents museum. Unfortunately, she's unable to seek advice from her contact with the Brotherhood of the Chosen Keepers since she doesn't trust the man assigned to carry messages for her. So it's up to this eleven year old girl to protect the world (again) from Chaos, a bumbling group calling themselves the Order of the Black Sun and the mysterious Awi Bubu.
And finally, the fourth installment answers all the questions that arose in book three. Theodosia and the Last Pharoh takes place in Egypt, as Theodosia is charged with the responsibility to contact the Eyes of Horus, and finds herself involved in something much deeper than she can understand. At the same time, she begins to learn more about herself, where she came from, how her abilities help to define her, and where she belongs in the world.
Like most fantasies, this story requires a suspension of belief, but it's light and it's fun, and it's not such a great leap as you might imagine. Theodosia is a spunky, spirited young lady who is determined to do things not only her way, but the RIGHT way. She has a talent, but that isn't enough to get her through...she also uses research and hard work to solve problems. The story seems to move slowly at times, but the witty comments and fresh viewpoint (it's all told from Theodosia's perspective) keep the reader enthralled.
Along the way she manages to curse and uncurse her beloved cat, befriend a pickpocket named Sticky Will, and discover that kids can work magic...sometimes literally.

Content Warnings: The book relies heavily on ancient egyptian folklore. Certain religious factions, the ones objecting to Harry Potter books especially, may be offended by the suggestion that Egyptian gods and goddesses were real even for the sake of a story. Theodosia doesn't always do as she's told, and she tends to wander around unsupervised a lot more than most 11 year olds do nowadays. But it's not set nowadays, and she's generally reprimanded for taking big chances. All in all it's a clean fantasy suitable for ages as young as 6 or7. The official reading level, as listed on Amazon, is 9-12.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

2011-07-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

We're all well aquainted with dramatic tragedy books. They have a climactic tale, the characters work to overcome a specific obstacle, whether it's climbing a mountain or surviving a car crash, and then...we relax. The tale is told. The family...survived or moved on in whatever way they needed to.
If the tale continues, it brings us a new saga, complete with a new drama to overcome. Otherwise the tale is trite, boring.
That is, until the story of cello player Mia unfolds in the first book, "If I Stay". Set in the trauma ward, the climactic accident takes place within the first few chapters and the rest of the book is spent with Mia as she grapples with a choice between life and death.
Gayle Forman again brings new light to the arena of tragedy in "Where She Went", this time the story is told from Adam's point of view, the one left behind who was a victim in the shadows. Sure, he was Mia's boyfriend...but just a boyfriend. This book shows what happens in the wake of recovery for someone on the fringe of a tragedy. It wasn't his family that he lost...but it was close. And he had (has?) some healing and self discovery to do. The book takes us through 24 hours or so in his life 3 years after the accident that claimed the lives of Mia's family. Now a famous rockstar, there is still something missing, and although he's worked hard to move on and protect Mia's memory, he hasn't healed.
It was well worth the wait, and is definitely worth the read.

Highly recommended for the Middle School and up crowd. There is some strong language and sexual references. Prescription drugs are referenced; but are used appropriately. Due to the themes discussed; the books really aren't for kids under 12.

Garden Spells By Sarah Addison Allen

2011-07-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

Whenever stories included the town herbalist or white witch, she was a minor character and one of my favorites. Modern tales don't often include a town herbalist, not ones set in a modern city or town. But in Garden Spells, Claire Waverly lives in Bascom, North Carolina where she not only tends the garden, she uses it's herbs and plants for their mystical purposes...and makes her living as a caterer.
In Garden Spells, Claire is 34 years old and welcomes home her sister and niece, who are escaping a bad situation. The magical garden (complete with a sentient apple tree) and the magical touches turn an otherwise predictable romance into something a lot more fun to read.
This book has been on my to-be-read list for ages. Somehow or another it never quite made it into the library bag. Most likely, other patrons have simply beat me to the punch. Luckily, last week I stumbled upon it and remembered the title. Someone recommended it. At some point.
I picked it up and didn't put it down again until I was done. I liked the characters. I fell in love with the apple tree. I may have been able to predict the bare bones of the story, but not the road Allen chose to get us there. This is a great light-hearted read for summer, highly reccomended!

Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Title: Garden Spells
Pgs: 320 pgs
Reading Level: Adult
This book is suitable for high schoolers and adults.

Content Warnings: There are adult situations and some mild objectionable language. All serve to promote the story line, but probably aren't suitable for kids under 12. There is also an element of magic/fantasy which can be objectionable to some people with religious leanings.

The Captain's Dog by Roland Smith

2011-07-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Who likes learning about the Lewis and Clark expedition? I do! Who likes learning about dogs? I do! If you answered YES to these two questions, you might like The Captain's Dog, My Journey With The Lewis And Clark Tribe, by Roland Smith.
Hi, Penguin again. I just finished this book and wanted to share it while the memory's still with me.
This book is about Seaman, the dog who traveled with Lewis and Clark. It is told from three perspectives, which are defined in slightly different prints: Actual journal entries by Captain Lewis (which open the chapters), two former members of the crew, and Seaman's memories. This book starts when the two crew members find Seaman living with an American Indian tribe. One of the tribe hands them the journal, which they begin to read aloud. It quickly triggers a flashback, in which Seaman recounts the adventures. Parts are made up, specifics, but they read like they could really have happened. It definitely encourages you to continue learning about Seaman and the 'Lewis and Clark Tribe'.

Genre: historical fiction/actual history
Author: Roland Smith
Fear Factors: Well, I'll tell you that only one person dies, near the beginning, and no really important animals die either. It sometimes describes in detail the eating of animals. Not for one who balks at the mention of eating anything that was once alive, or who has a light stomach (they do eat deer, fish, roots, horses, and some Native Americans' dogs...)
Age range: 4th to 6th grade (it is written in simple everyday language, and even the diary entries are easy to read, though it may be too simple for 7th or 8th graders.)

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede

2011-06-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

What do you do with a Princess who refuses to act like a Princess?
Well, once she gets fed up and runs away to live with dragons...you simply want to know more about her. I love the story of spunky Cimorene, from her first meeting with Kuzul to the adventures of her firstborn.
In the first book, Dealing with Dragons, Cimorene decides that enough is enough when her parents try to marry her off like a good princess, and she runs off. She ends up volunteering to be a dragon's princess, which is an adventure in itself.
In the second book, Searching for Dragons, we meet Mendenbar, king of the Enchanted Forest and join him and Cimorene on a search for Kuzul, King of the Dragons. The adventures get them into all sorts of delightful trouble, from a malfunctioning magic carpet to an eccentric magician. Throughout the series, fairy tale lore is woven in as if it is simply Urban Legend fare...something the Fairy Tale characters put up with because, well, there's a grain of truth hidden in there somewhere. This book has an incredibly rich description of magic in the enchanted forest...the imagery is divine.
The third book, Calling on Dragons, introduces a 6 ft bunny named...Killer. Poor Killer brings news that the wizards are again stirring up trouble in the Enchanted Forest. It's up to Morwen, Cimorene and Mendenbar to save the day. Unfortunately, the book ends without resolving all storylines...and readers are left to eagerly await the final installment.
And finally...Book four. Talking to Dragons introduces the character of Daystar. If you've read the previous 3 books, you will know Daystar's history better than he does, but it only increases enjoyment of his baffled reaction and bumbling aventure. You see, one day Daystar's mother melts a wizard, hands him a sword and tells him to go straight into the Enchanted Forest and figure out what it is he's supposed to do. He runs into many old friends of us readers, but is always left just a little bit in the dark and left to take things on faith and follow his own instincts. He's joined by a firewitch who has no control over her own powers, and between the two of them they find themselves caught up in a battle between dragons and wizards...and the only one who can save the day is Daystar. (Who is still trying to sort everything out and acting mostly on instinct.)
These are quick, delicious reads that will transport you out of the doldrums and lighten your spirit. Appropriate for any age, although there is a bit of danger in dragon fire and a few bad-guys get eaten, the storyline is most suited for 4th grade and up. Adults will enjoy these as much as the kids.
Luckily, we aren't completely abandoned at the end of the fourth book. There is a companion volume, Book of Enchantments. Book of Enchantments is a series of short stories, only a few of which are directly elated to the Enchanted Forest, and yet still satisfies the hunger for more from this author.
5 stars and two thumbs up!

Into the Wilderness by Sarah Donati

2011-05-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

I just can't get "into" the Outlander obsession. I know others do. I read the first book. I'm willing to read the second.
But I couldn't help but think that the characters are more suited to a Die Hard movie than a Historical fantasy/romance.

However, I *read* Outlander. And in reading some of the hype surrounding it, someone said "If you like Outlander, you'll LOVE Donati's Wilderness books." And I was intrigued.
I like Historical fiction. I like the old west setting, with a touch of romance. I (sometimes) like sagas. I picked up "Into the Wilderness".
I didn't want to put it down!
Diana Gabaldon supposedly describes this series as a breath of fresh air...and I agree. It's like wrapping yourself up in a warm blanket in front of a toasty fire with hot cocoa and your favorite gluten-free cookies. Its a cross between "real reading" and "fluff" that I sheepishly admit to reading. There's romance, er...a lot of it. But there's also mystery. And intrigue, adventure, excitement. Some of it begins to test your limits of belief (Seriously? He survived *that*?) But, not nearly so far as Outlander did. At least, in the first book.
The second book is in my library bag. Calling to me. Anxiously waiting for me to finish this blog post so I can....
Hey, what am I waiting for? I've got 10 more minutes, and a good book to read. So, I'm off dear reader.

Content warnings: Prejudicial attitudes, explicit sexuality, and some violence. I'm enjoying the series but it's definitely not one I can share with my kids just yet.

The series in order:
Into the Wilderness (Wilderness Saga 1)

Dawn on a Distant Shore (Wilderness, Book 2)
Lake in the Clouds
Fire Along the Sky
Queen of Swords
The Endless Forest: A Novel

***And for what it's worth, I've now plowed my way through the series. I found book 5 a little trying, and 6 could have been better edited (there were some issues where a wrong name was used and I had to pause and think "Wait, Ethan isn't there yet..." or "Oh, she must mean Callie not Martha."
But all in all, I loved the series. It's well worth the read, it takes us through New York, Canada, Across the sea to Ireland, down to New Orleans and back to Paradise. We see prejudices, the introduction of vaccines, and wars that get very little attention in school but were important to the forming of our country.
Now what on Earth will I bury myself in next?

distant waves by Suzanne Weyn

2011-04-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

History. Fantasy. Science Fiction. Actual science.
It's not often that all of these elements are brought together to meld into a truly delightful novel.
Jane is one of 5 sisters living in turn of the century New York. We learn at the very beginning, during a seance, that her mother is a spiritualist who communes with 'the other side' (Or at least claims to). Although billed as a "novel of the titanic", Distant Waves is more about Nikola Tessla than any other historical event or person.
Suzanne Weyn did a lot of research, and much of it shows up in the novel. The children grow up in a community based on the actual 'Lily Dale' spiritualist community, and the text is careful not to actually commit to exactly how much of the 'communing' is authentic, while allowing Jane to observe, question, and yet never fully conclude that the mediums are fakes.
Jane meets and then idolizes Tessla, a scientist ahead of his time who was (honestly) a rival of Edison. Unfortunately, Tessla had no desire for money, and money talks. Weyn does a great job portraying what is known of Tessla's quirks, beliefs and personality.
She also meets several well known historical figures of the time, from Guggenheim to Conan Doyle. The story finally culminates with the 5 sisters on the Titanic, and much of the action aboard the Titanic is fiction. (I'm sure this is what disappoints most readers looking for a book about the doomed ocean liner)
There is a lengthy note from the author at the end clarifying historical facts and admitting fictional liberties.
All in all, I think this was a really enjoyable read for ages 10-14; the middle school crowd. Nothing in the text, beyond the concept of spirtualism, was objectionable but young children might be confused. They also would probably be bored by the subtle romance that ties things together nicely.

Devil's Kiss by Sarwad Chadda

2011-03-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

"Killing him should be easy; he's only six."
With a disturbing, but riveting, beginning like this, a story about the Knights Templar should be a compelling read. The folklore, the legends, the history...well, those parts were interesting.
I stayed up late reading, trying desperately to like this book.
And there were passages that were truly enjoyable. But, pieced together...it felt pieced together. Billi resents being a Templar too realistically. And Kay is an inconsistent ally. The teenage angst is a bit too angsty. Feelings were either superficial or overdramatic. And the first few chapters were spent trying to decide how to direct the characters instead of leading the reader deeper into the thralls of their lives.

There's a lot of blood, and the ending isn't exactly happy. The story itself was infused with bitter feelings, so even good things felt bittersweet.

There were sections that flowed really well, where you could see the author truly felt the characters taking life under her pen. The problems came in between those sections, when the characters had to bring the story together. Although the research was sound and the mythology was really fascinating, it was really hard to stay 'into' the book.

I'd recommend it for reluctant readers who really want a gritty novel including knights templar. But it's not one to stumble into and fall in love with. (And I wanted to love a book that combined supernatural forces with biblical mythology. I really did.)

Matched by Ally Condie

2011-02-24T09:06:00.000-08:00

"Why is she in a bubble?" Bumblebee wants to know.
I don't know, I tell her. But I promise to find out.
This is the story of a Utopian Dystopia. In a future where the Officials use statistics to improve lives, to control variables and keep the population "safe", something starts to go wrong.
Cassia is 17 and on her way to her "Matching Banquet". The Officials in Society of statistically chosen the one mate she might find perfect happiness with. And, against all odds, (the chances slim but not really that low) she knows her potential match.
But when she gets home, and views his information, she sees a second face. Although the Officials assure her that even computers make mistakes, Cassia begins to wonder. Not just about the computers, but about the society itself.

We've all heard about the boy in a bubble. He was there to protect him from a world that he couldn't survive in. But he felt imprisoned, because as he grew he learned that there was so much more out there. This book begins to explore these same complex ideas, protection and perfection versus free will. Free choice, Sometimes humans make the wrong choices, but where do you draw the line?
As an Official states when Cassia dares to voice the idea that humans should choose their own match, where would it end? With how many kids to have? Where to live? When we die?
It's a dystopian romance that will appeal much more to girls than boys; but it's a riveting story, too, that will raise questions and make readers think. Do we go too gentle into the night?
And why is Cassia portrayed in a bubble on the cover? Does it indeed protect her, or impison her? Where do we draw the line?

Now...if only November would come so I could read the sequel!

Content warnings: Basic dystopian fare...but there's no overt violence or sexual situations. The romance is completely G rated. The storyline is deep, though, and kids under 10 wouldn't really be able to appreciate it. It's most suited for ages 12 and up. Adults will enjoy it, too.

Penguin's praise: I stayed up all night reading it! It was such a good book! I love Dystopian novels.

The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

2011-02-24T08:39:00.000-08:00

When I was young, my favorite place was dangling from a tree limb in my front yard. Somehow, I had no idea that the climbing of something so solid as a tree could be remotely dangerous, I just knew that the adults and my little brother would leave me alone up there as I sat with a book in my hand, nestled in between branches.
I remember traveling to the redwoods, too...and feeling irritated that we had to stay on path, and that the "magic" was always just barely out of reach. And wondering what was so special about trees you *couldn't* climb. Their canopy just didn't appear made for that sort of thing.
25 years later, I stumbled on this book while returning library books. And was mesmerized.
It's a nonfiction story of the "discovery" of the canopy of the redwood forests in Northern CA and Oregon. However, it's not at all a dry "nonfiction" book; each section comes alive with adventure as we see how each individual stumbled their way from tree climbing kid to treetop scientist.
Although there are a lot of names and stories to keep track of, and it's difficult to put a story like the tale of the canopy in any sort of "order" (some parts need to be told before others, even if it means letting go of one person's story to take up another's, temporarily) the author does an amazing job weaving the scientist's history into their findings.
Although specific locations are protected for the sake of preserving what's left of the forest, I was completely enthralled. Here were folks who not only understood that early-childhood fascination with tree climbing, but took it to the next level. And...they learned how to safely (for the tree) get into the top of a redwood. They discover lichens, berries, salamanders and more facts about the redwood that were previously unknown.
We learn that the small amount of forest that is left is but a drop in the bucket from what used to be, and that it's not guaranteed to last, even with the environmental protections attempted by various conservatory groups.
Redwoods live to be hundreds of years old. They can grow to over 300 feet tall. None of that happens within the lifetime of men. And yet the damage to the forests has been done by men. Loggers mostly, who saw only trees that would grow back and not the amount of time that it would take.
This book is an approachable read for anyone interested in adventure or trees or the redwood forests. It's suited for High School students on up through adults.
However I must warn you that reading may tempt you to take a small nature vacation up the California coast...not for tree climbing, just to experience the magnitude of the trees themselves.

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

2011-02-20T12:17:00.000-08:00

World War II was a scary time for all of us. What doesn't often come to light is the role smaller countries, just on the edge of occupied territories, had in the war. And although books like "The Diary of a Young Girl (Everyman's Library (Cloth))" and "Devil's Arithmetic" make us aware of the horrors imparted by the Nazis; it's the horrors that make the reality surreal.
In "Snow Treasures" we find a small town in Norway, drawn into German occupation and determined to thwart them by removing the local funds.
We also meet children that kids today can relate to...not someone forced to wear a star, or treated as less than human, just kids who like to play but want to earn the respect of adults around them at the same time. Kids who want to curl up and be taken care of, but yearn for adventure at the same time.

And it's based on a true story.
An adult could not have transferred the gold out of the area without suspicion. But the children could play all day in the snow, and no one would suspect a thing. So they played...or pretended to. And in the process, they removed the local gold to a ship bound for America.
This book had adventure, excitement, fun and a bit of humor. It wasn't too scary. And it was a situation that even 2nd and 3rd graders can relate to, although they won't understand the politics involved. Parents who missed this the first (or second) time around will enjoy discovering "Snow Treasure" with their kids.

Highly recommended.
Author: Marie McSwigan
Title: Snow Treasure
Pgs: 208
Reading Level: Ages 9-12 or grades 3-6
Read Aloud ages: Kids as young as 7 could appreciate this book.

Content Warnings: There are some scary parts, where they are scared of getting caught. Younger children may need an explanation of what happened in the early 1940's, to understand why the German soldiers appear and why no one wants them there.

Penguin’s Praise: This book sounds like it should be more exciting than it really is. It was a good book, I liked it. The back made it sound like it might be scary, but it wasn't. There was a lot of repeating, they did the same thing over and over. They kept sledding and building snowmen. But they had to, that's what they were supposed to keep doing.

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

2011-02-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

We were recently introduced to the world of Clementine. And I must say that we are captivated!
Clementine is a slightly more grown up Junie B Jones. Although my girls assure me that some of her escapades (such as the hair cutting incident) are a little too outlandish for her oh-so-mature 3rd grade self, we're willing to let it slide and enjoy the ride.

So far the series consists of four books. Clementine, The Talented Clementine, Clementine's Letter and Clementine Friend of the Week. All are adorable slice of life renditions of a contemporary little girl living in an apartment building in big city America. Some people would call her a little ADHD, and it's quite possible that the character is. However, she is not diagnosed. As she states, she IS paying attention to all the little things that no one else notices. And frankly, most kids do the same thing. Some just adapt to adult expectations better than others.

For those dealing with nut allergies out there: Clementine's baby brother has a life threatening peanut allergy that is dealt with wonderfully. It does not take center stage, but it's mentioned briefly a few times as simply a part of their life. As a food allergy family, we loved having something we could so easily relate to portrayed as "normal".

Bumblebee tried to convince me that she wasn't reading ahead, but her unintentional yelps of "Oh, I hate this part!" and "This is the best part!" make me suspect otherwise. We were all laughing out loud and commiserating with Clementine; and the girls even talked about "Self to text connections" they were making. I highly recommend the series for readers of Ramona Quimby and Junie B Jones! It makes a fun read aloud, too. (Although, it doesn't seem to get the kids settled down for bed as quietly as one might hope.)

How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

2011-02-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

Hi, Penguin here. I'm here to tell you about this great new book my family read recently.

This story is set in the future and takes place in a made up country called New Avalon, where (almost) everyone has a fairy that controls one aspect of their human's daily lifestyle. The book's main character, Charlie, goes to a Sport school where they have strictly strict rules and play sports. Charlie is a 14 year old girl...with a Parking fairy, which ensures the driver in the car with her gets a perfect parking space. She hates her fairy, and soon she finds herself caught up in a twister of Getting Rid Of Her Fairy. She wishes she could switch with her archenemy Fiorenze, who has an All Boys Will Love You fairy, it seems like the best thing that could ever to happen to her. But is it??

Mom's input: The girls were laughing out loud at some of Charlie's antics, and sat up in indignation several times. "That's not fair!" But one thing was true every single night...they asked for just one more chapter "PLEASE!!!!"

Author- Justine Larbalestier
Fear Factors- Some scary things happen...for instance, nearly dying is a thing they try.
Age level- It's in the YA section at our library, but I think semi-advanced 4 or 5th graders might be able to handle it.
Warnings- Part of the story includes a possible boyfriend, and the main characters are average teenager girls, but there is no bad language or anything to inappropriate (kissing, and tracking down a gambler aren't too bad)
Charlie does some community service and has to pick up beer bottles and a condom. Also, there is some drug references that went right over the kids' heads.
Part of a Series?- no, at least...not yet.
Pages- 336
Extra Info- Includes made up words, but there's a glossary.

Bumblebee's Buzz: Fairies!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

2011-02-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

Another book Penguin didn't get a chance to read, but it was almost due back to the library and I got sucked in.
The book is written as if it's a response to mysterious letters received by Miranda, the protagonist. I love that her favorite book was one of my favorite books when I was Bumblebee's age. A Wrinkle in Time is referenced several times throughout the story. It's mostly a coming of age story, but I really enjoyed the mystery (Who was this writing the letters?) even after I began unraveling it. There were enough milder mysteries to keep me reading, everything was interconnected, it just wasn't spelled out.
This is a great light read (took me an afternoon) for upper elementary school kids and middle schoolers. It probably isn't quite deep enough to interest high schoolers. Adults looking for a quick, light but fun read will enjoy quickly working their way through.

And a bonus...there is also a reference to a medically indicated carb free diet. They don't go into details, but it's always fun to recognize something of yourself or close friends in a book.

I can't think of any content warnings for kids. Any mention of violence is light. At some point, the mysterious letter writer tells Miranda that the plan is to save two lives, "her friend" and his own. There's a mentally questionable individual known as "The Laughing Man". The mystery itself will either intrigue or frighten young kids. This would be a good talking over book in 4th-6th grade. 2nd and 3rd graders may enjoy it as well.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

2011-02-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

I picked this book up on the advice of a book club I belong to online.
Wow. It's a tough read, but mesmerizing. It's sad...you're hit with several deaths in the first chapter and then spend the rest of the book sitting with the protagonist, Mia, as she stands vigil over her own body awaiting a choice she isn't even sure how to make.
We watch her attempt to interact with loved ones, and relive memories with her. We do a LOT of crying. But as said, we know in the beginning which characters die. So as she relives memories, they are bittersweet. We don't grow more attached to the characters, we just tear up because we know they're already dead.
That said, it's a powerfully told story. What do you have to live for when you lose everything?
Miraculously enough, Mia discovers (or is called into remembering) quite a bit about the world that she would miss if she chooses to go. But if she stays, life will be eternally different.

I really look forward to the sequel to be released later this year.

I recommend this book for middle and high schoolers; and for adults who want a quick but 'thinking' emotional read.

Content warnings: Death. There's a lot of death involved, obviously. Questions of spirituality may be raised since the protagonist is left in limbo, like a ghost, and questions of what happens after death are left unanswered. Some spiritual families will be intrigued and use this as a discussion starter, some may be shocked and offended.
There is also boyfriend discussion. Mia's a teenager. She has a boyfriend. Nothing graphic happens, but the reader is left to draw their own conclusions about the relationship.

There's a lot of discussion potential in this book, too. Mia is a strong female character, even if she is unconcscious through most of the story, and readers will have a lot to think and talk about. I'd let Penguin read it if she were interested. (Unfortunately...she's on her tenth re-read of the Warriors series...)

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

2011-02-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

I love Robin McKinley. Her books never fail to cheer me up. So it was with eager anticipation I dashed to the library the moment the message came in "Your book: Pegasus; is now available to pick up."
And then I read the first chapter.
"Oh, well," I thought to myself, "They can't all be winners."
And I stuffed my disappointment aside, and picked it up again a day later. Somewhere between waiting for the water to boil and folding laundry, I found myself remembering McKinley's style. Many of her books seem to start slow (for me, at least) and then *thwam*; you're hooked and you don't even know exactly what hit you. You only know that you can almost see the forest she describes growing around you...hear the whuffle of a Pegasus...and it's all you can do...well; all I can do not to skip ahead a few pages to see where it's all leading.
Also typical McKinley style, the story leaves much to the imagination. McKinley knows how to show, but not explain. The reader knows more than the characters...but not a lot more. That's part of the charm.
This is not a book to be read during your 5 minute waits for Dentists, doctors and extracurricular activities. Its not a book to be picked up and put down; the more interruptions you have the more re-reading you will find yourself doing.
In fact, after this blog post, I fully intend to pick it up for one last read before it goes back to the library. It's due on Wednesday, and someone else has it on hold. Which is too bad, because Penguin just started it and I'm not sure how far she'll get.

Content level: I recommend for middle graders and up. Adults will love this fantasy tale just as much as tweens and teens. There isn't any romance, really. Although since Sylvii is a teenager, there are a few general comments on propriety. It's perfectly appropriate for even a young grade schooler to listen to; but the content would bedifficult to follow.
It would be okay as a read aloud. I think it would be difficult, though, to get the inflections right. There is a lot of "silent speech" denoted by italics, and sometimes you aren't clear who spoke until the paragraph ends.
I think it could be a great reading circles or discussion book. The themes of acceptance and prejudice are present; and fear of things and peoples we don't understand.
Parental warnings: There aren't a lot. Sylvii breaks some time-honored laws and the book centers on the fact that for her, the laws aren't sensible. They don't really apply. But she struggles to respect what she knows and balance it with what is expected of her as a princess. Parents should also know that the ending, while good and probably "right"; is also sad. I hope...really, really hope...there is a sequel. There are a lot of questions unanswered. A lot of characters I'd like to get to know in better depth. (Galfin, for instance) In fact, Robin McKinley could probably write an entire series of books about the court without even touching on the same storyline. No one we 'know' dies. But...there are some unanswered questions.
All in all; a great read. And I'm off to repeat it.

Green by Laura Peyton Roberts

2011-01-31T20:10:00.000-08:00

Leprechauns are already in the air here at our house; what with Bumblebee's attraction to good luck charms and scheming to build the perfect leprechaun trap. (Leprechaun trapping is a hit project in our elementary school. And the leprechauns obligingly leave a bit of fairy gold every year.)
So it was only natural that when I saw a book about leprechauns and a 12 year old, I thought of my kids and brought it home.
Bumblebee quickly declared it "weird" but she's a picky reader. I think she would love this book if she weren't a picture book fiend. And if I were dedicated enough to read it out loud more, er, insistently.
But Penguin and I didn't want to wait to read it out loud. We read the first chapter. And then we kept going.

Lilly is a delightful misfit. We identify with her straight off. And then, when she discovers a mysterious package on her front porch that just happens to explode and singe off bits of hair we're hooked. The leprechauns that then jump in and kidnap her are the icing on the cake.
We enjoyed reading about Lilly's attempts to complete her tasks towards becoming Keeper of the Clan of Green. It wasn't great literature, but it gets five stars in FUN.

Reading level: 4th through 8th grade
Interest level: I think even 2nd graders would enjoy having this read out loud. It might get a little confusing for younger kindergarten/first graders.
Parent warnings: In the glen, lying is "A-OK"; trickery and treachery are the way of life for leprechauns. Lilly is occasionally tricked, and has to do some quick thinking and devious scheming of her own. Also, she can not tell her mom about the leprechauns; and "wouldn't be believed anyways". While it's true, some strict families won't like that reasoning. There is also mention of a grandmother who is deceased, and Lilly is still grieving for. And the Leprechauns drink "Clover Ale" which is akin to alcohol.

Penguin's Praise: I thought it was Unique! I didn't like the evil boy she fell in love with, he was just evil! But I like leprechauns and I liked Lilly.

Thirteenth Child by Patricia Wrede

2011-01-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

This delightful coming of age story is set in an alternative history; where the Wild West is settled using magicians. Well known historical names such as Washington and Franklin are used; but their successes are attributed to magical abilities.
In this tale, the legendary seventh son of a seventh son is born...and his twin sister is the dreaded thirteenth child. Eff grows up hearing or overhearing dire predictions for her future until her parents are able to uproot the family and move to a town on the edge of the magical boundary. It is here, without the knowledge of her predestined "13th child" disastrous predictions coloring her interactions with others, that Eff finally is able to come into her own, exploring her personal potential.
The book deals with learning to find your own niche, the affects of prejudice, and how people's presuppositions bring about self fulfilled prophesies. Or, in the paraphrased words of Eff's mother...an angel herself would grow up crooked if every morning she was told there was no hope for otherwise.
Although I would have enjoyed a little more exploration of magics and peoples, and the population seemed to exclude native tribes, I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself. I loved Eff, and I enjoyed the under stories involving her sister and the settlements.
I think it would make for a great reading circles discussion in the 5th and 6th or 7th grades.

Content warnings for parents: Not a lot. The author eludes to a marriage of necessity rather than romance. But it's discussed in an "I did the math and understand a year later" kind of a way. The alternative history setting in American lands might confuse younger readers (Dragons did not fly over the Mississippi during river crossings. No wooly mammoths threatened the safety and survival of pioneer outposts. At least, not outside of Patricia Wrede's world.)

I fully agree with the jacket's claim that this book will delight fans of JK Rowling and Laura Ingalls Wilder alike!
I think that it makes a good read aloud for 4th grade and up, simply because the altered fantasy history could be confusing, and is a great read for anyone over 10 or 12. Even adults who want a light, quick read.

100 Must Reads

2010-11-22T18:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I got this from Facebook...but it seemed like a good place to post! I think I may have just found my New Year's Resolution. Finish the list! :-)

100 Books

Have you read more than 6 of these books? The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed here.

Instructions: Copy this into your NOTES. Bold those books you've read in their entirety, italicize the ones you started but didn't finish or or only read an excerpt. Pass it on!

1. Pride and Predjudice - Jane Austen

2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien

3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling

5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

6. The Bible

7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

9. His Dark Materials Series - Philip Pullman

10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

12. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy

13. Catch-22 - Heller

14. Complete Works of William Shakespeare

15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien

17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk

18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger

19. The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

20. Middlemarch - George Elliot

21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell

22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald

23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens

24. War and Peace - Tolstoy

25. Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

26. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevski

28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens

33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis

34. Emma - Jane Austen

35. Persuasion - Jane Austen

36. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis

37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

40. Winnie the Pooh - A.A. Milne

41. Animal Farm - George Orwell

42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - Johh Irving

45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery

47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

48. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood

49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding

50. Atonement - Ian McEwan

51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel

52. Dune - Frank Herbert

53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons

54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen

55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth

56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon

60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov

63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt

64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

65. The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexander Dumas

66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac

67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy

68. Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding

69. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie

70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

72. Dracula - Bram Stoker

73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson

75. Ulysses - James Joyce

76. The Inferno - Dante ?

77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome

78. Germinal - Emile Zola

79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80. Possession - AS Byatt

81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker

84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

87. Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White

88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad

92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks

94. Watership Down - Richard Adams

95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole

96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute

97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare

99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl

100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs

2010-10-16T17:08:00.000-07:00

A year or two ago, I was feeling miserable about feeling miserable. And, being me, I started pondering and praying (sort of the same thing when I get in that mood) I asked myself why I felt so rotten. I asked what Jesus would do.
And the answer drifted through my brain.
"Jewish Penicillin", AKA, Chicken soup. Thus began my fall from vegetarianism. And my foray into books such as "The Compassionate Carnivore". Which somehow led Amazon to suggest "The Year of Living Biblically" to me.
And, whether or not it was an accurate recomendation based on my eclectic reading tastes (perhaps you've noticed the way I skip around in genres?), this one certainly piqued my interest.
So I went onto the library website and put in a request. And within a month, it had been returned by another patron and was in my possession.

And then I started laughing my way through.

This is not a story about converting. Or how to convert, or even whether or not one should convert. It's not a tongue in cheek ridicule of organized religion. It was, simply, a quest to learn more about the Bible and try following it as literally to the letter as possible. And we get to go along for the ride.
AJ tackles such ignored commandments as wearing white, and avoiding razors. He survives his wife's peaceful protest when she gets fed up and sits in every seat in the house before he gets home while she's menstuating. (Old Testament men aren't allowed to touch a woman in her time of month...or anything they've touched which becomes "unclean". An interesting law, since it's shared by certain Native American tribes. Only they put the much more positive spin on things by stating that women are in their "power" during their menses)
He hangs tassles on all his clothes, and prays. He writes on his doorframe. Travels. Explores a few lesser understood religious sects (like Creationists, and Snake Handlers) He even gets to stone an adulterer. (And lives to tell the tale! You'll have to read the book for details...)
I enjoyed reading along as the Jacobs stumbles his way through a biblical year. And I'm thinking that this challenge might make a great Lenten resolution. For 40 days, anyways.

I'd recommend it to anyone not easily offended and theologically open minded. Most of the material won't be of interest to kids or even teens, but there wasn't anything terribly inappropriate for teens. Obviously, they may question their family's choice of faith, and challenge their own practices, or lack thereof. Or think deeper about them. To me, that's not a bad thing.
In short...it's suitable for ages 12 and up, and the reading level is the 20 somethings on up.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

2010-09-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Some books, I read because I want to indulge myself in fantasy. Some I read because they are supposed to be of literary merit. Some I read because a book club is discussing them. And others have a unique premise that I can't pass up.
This particular gem falls in the latter category. It's the story of a family, specifically of a man and his family, told from the point of view of his faithful dog, Enzo. There are no pretenses in this book, in the very first chapter Enzo doesn't hesitate to tell us that his life is ending. The rest of the book is simply a narrative of memories, from when he was young and living in an apartment to when his Master brought a woman home. The book pulls us through the harshest times for the family, while only illustrating what Enzo can see and sense. There are some stretches, but Enzo's an advanced dog.
This is definitely a multi-tissue read. I had to keep stopping because it's really hard to read through tears when you're wearing glasses. Not that it's ever easy to read through tears, but they were falling pretty fast a few times.
Partway through this book, Penguin showed an interest and I started thinking I might loan it to her when I was done. (At that point, I was engrossed every free moment, so she didn't have a chance) I'm glad that I didn't let her jump right in. Although the first half to three quarters of the book is relatively clean, with only tame references to married life and minimal language, there is a shocking twist in the middle.
I don't want to spoil it for the adult readers, but Enzo's master finds himself in a compromising situation. There are sexual and pedophile references following the incident; not terribly graphic but the content is mature.

I recommend the book for ages 15 and up. Pre-read it for anyone younger and decide for yourself...but finish the book before you decide.

Author: Garth Stein
Title: The Art of Racing in the Rain
Pgs: 336
Reading Level: adult to young adult, not appropriate for kids or young teens.

Content Warnings: Sexual situations, language, mature content/situations

The Secret Zoo by Bryan Chick

2010-09-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

Another book I picked up for the kids, they shrugged their shoulders (okay, so Penguin picked it up...got immersed, then freaked out at the concept of high-functioned thinking animals and dropped it again.) and I found myself immersed in.
The premise of the story revolves around a missing girl, the sister to the protagonist. The protagonist and his friends find a clue that they feel adults would not believe, and begin investigating...only to discover that there is much more to the local zoo than meets the eye.
They find themselves pulled in, and of course they end up in a rather predictable rescue mission to save Megan.
Fortunately, it's a fun rescue mission, and as long as I was willing to suspend belief, I found myself enthralled. I wish I could have convinced the kids to read it too, I know they would have loved it! Maybe they will...eventually.

Author: Bryan Chick
Title: The Secret Zoo
Pgs: 304
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Read Aloud ages: 5 and up

Content Warnings: The premise is a missing child, which could be scary for some kids. There is a lot of suspense and excitement, and perceived danger. The kids do take matters into their own hands, and sneak out of their house at night, but the story is obviously a fantasy.