The Friendly Book Nook

Abigail Elliot and the Dollhouse Family by Barbara Bliss

Sally — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:04:03 +0000

Product Description
Breathtaking and wise, Abigail Elliot and the Dollhouse Family by author Barbara Bliss is a celebration of the heart and of the family. A literary debut that truly exhibits the ties that bind a mother to her child, this children’s fantasy fiction is a magical, whirlwind tale of one little girl’s lively imagination. When Abigail Elliot is forced to endure the absence of her mother, she learns that the truly tender heart holds a flame for those it loves. With a lyric, at times piercing prose, the author crafts an affectionate world where a family that resides in a dollhouse soothes and lulls young Abigail to sleep at night with fond stories of her mother. Written for young readers, this book will not only intrigue, it will ignite an interest in history, genealogy, and the magical places of the heart.

About the Author
As a teen, Barbara Bliss began a career in opera and cabaret. She has sung with the symphony orchestra in Barcelona, Spain and Washington DC, the New Jersey State Opera, and Alice Tully Hall. She began teaching voice twenty-five years ago and continues to teach, sing, and write every day.

My review: This book actually made me cry. I don’t think my 8 year old granddaughter is quite ready for it, but maybe in a couple more years she will love it as I did. The book’s setting is in New York City in the 1940s. I love reading books from that time era. The book is sweet, old-fashioned, and treats mental illness in a dignified manner. The fantasy is sweet, the characters are respectable and likable, and the story is engaging. Parts of the story contain mystery and childish antics. The story is clean and well written. Abigail Elliot and the Dollhouse Family would make a GREAT children’s movie!

Boston Scream Pie by Rosemary and Larry Mild

Sally — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:26:48 +0000

Product Description
The roiling blizzard toys with the overweight Chrysler, nudging it into a spin. The momentum leads to impact: a thundering, crunching of metal and glass. Caitlin Neuman awakes from this nightmare, wondering if it might be a harrowing memory-she’s the lone survivor of a crash that killed her parents and twin sister years earlier. Or could the nightmare be an eerie insight into some family she’s never met? Then again, it might just be a bad dream. Caitlin engages retired Detective Paco LeSoto to find out the truth. Paco’s clever wife, Molly, tags along, uncovering her share of clues. She spouts her own deliciously skewed English, while Paco suspects her “Mollyprops” are clever contrivances. Their investigation takes them to the Boston family, another set of twins, and a string of suspicious deaths. In a Chesapeake Bay beachside home not far from the Neumans, newlyweds Newton Boston and his blonde bombshell wife, Delylah, grapple with their own family turmoil. Delylah’s adult children churn up vicious undercurrents that threaten the entire household. Four deceased husbands lie in Delylah’s past. When another family member dies under mysterious circumstances, the clues point to murder. The LeSotos expose the sinister connections. But can they stop yet another killing, bring justice to the culprits and peace to both families?

My Review: This was a great cozy mystery! I love the main characters who are a couple of older and funny (yet smart) detectives. Mr. LeSoto used to be on the police force, and his wife just has good common sense. They work well together. I love the way Molly LeSota speaks. The authors give Molly many cute and humorious plays on words. The twin connection is interesting and also believable. You are kept wondering how Delylah will dispose of her newest husband as it seemed she did her previous husbands. The end has an interesting yet not altogether surprising twist. The build up to the end was great! I want to read more from these authors, Rosemary and Larry Mild.

“Rosemary and Larry Mild are giving away a signed copy of their book, Boston Scream Pie, to one lucky tour visitor. Go to their book tour page, enter your name, e-mail address, and this PIN, 6372, for your chance to win. Entries from The Friendly Book Nook will be accepted until 12:00 Noon (PT) tomorrow. No purchase is required to enter or to win. The winner (first name only) will be announced on their book tour page next week.”

Fanny

Leah — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:00:57 +0000

All Fanny wants for her birthday is a Connie doll. She wanted it at Christmas and last birthday too, but her mother continues to deny her this deepest wish of her heart. According to her mom, those dolls are “just too. . . much.” (Love it!). But Fanny will not be discouraged. If her mom won’t buy her one, she’ll make her own! Using what she can find, Fanny pieces together her own Connie doll. The result is sweet Annabelle. Fanny loves her creation, but will her friends accept Annabelle as well?

This is a sweet story that both moms and daughters can relate to. I think we all know the kinds of dolls that all our daughters want and we are loathe to buy for them. And yet I loved Fanny’s solution - and loved even more that she was so proud of what she had made and truly cared for it. And the way she incorporates Annabelle into her next play date with her friends and their Connie dolls . . . well, it will make you giggle.

Two thumbs up for a cute story from Holly Hobbie that hits the nail on the head of the Bar- I mean, Connie doll situation in our own lives!

Review: Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Amy — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:32:52 +0000

Beatrice Smith Shakespeare has grown up in the Theatre Illuminata, a special magical theater where the characters of all the plays ever written live to act out their parts. The theatre is magic, and the key is The Book. Bertie is different though, she’s not a character nor an employee and she’s quite the mischief maker. She loves the Theatre with all of her heart, but the Theatre Manager tells her she must leave or find a way to make herself indispensable. Meanwhile, not everyone loves the Theatre as Bertie does and some long to be free. Can Bertie find a way to both stay at the Theatre and save it?

I have to admit it took me awhile to get into Eyes Like Stars. The reason is that the world of the Theatre Illuminata is so fully realized as a separate world and has such a huge cast of characters that it took me while to really get into it. But once I did, I really enjoyed this story. The characters, while there are many, are sharply drawn. I especially adored the fairies who kept me simultaneously giggling throughout the pages and feeling exhausted by their boundless energy. I also enjoyed the many theatre references with all of the different characters and lines that were quoted throughout. I think any fan of Shakespeare would enjoy that part! I felt for Bertie, who was struggling to find a strong sense of self–both where she came from and how to make her life significant in the present.

There is a bit of a love story, but it’s not overwhelming at all, and in some ways could have been done without as there was plenty else going on in the story at all times. Apart from a very very minor bit of language and a few jokes, the book is mostly clean.

If you’re looking for a totally different kind of read and/or if you love theater, than I really suggest you check out Eyes Like Stars!

You can check out Lisa Mantchev’s website and blog for more information.

Eyes Like Star is on blog tour right now! Check out these other great sites that are featuring the book:

The 160 Acre Woods, A Christian Worldview of Fiction, A Patchwork of Books, Abby the Librarian, All About Children’s Books, And Another Book Read, Becky’s Book Reviews, Dolce Bellezza, Fireside Musings, The Friendly Book Nook, Homeschool Book Buzz, Homespun Light, Hyperbole, KidzBookBuzz.com, Never Jam Today, Reading is My Superpower, Through a Child’s Eyes

Critical Care by Candace Calvert

Sally — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:16:46 +0000

From back cover: After her brother dies in a trauma room, nurse Claire Avery can no longer face the ER. She’s determined to make a fresh start–new hospital, new career in nursing education–move forward, no turning back. But her plans fall apart when she’s called to offer stress counseling for medical staff after a heartbreaking day care center explosion. Worse, she’s forced back to the ER, where she clashes with Logan Caldwell, a doctor who believes touchy-feely counseling is a wast of time. He demands his staff be as tough as he is. Yet he finds himself drawn to this nurse educator…who just might teach him the true meaning of healing.

My Review: I enjoyed this book and the hospital setting. It is a Christian romance novel and followed along the familiar Christian romance pattern. It was also based on the Grey’s Anatomy model, with characters such as McSnarley, and McMuffin. If you enjoy that television program but long to see something cleaner, you will love this book. Hope is offered in difficult situations. Our female main character is beautiful, but doesn’t realize it. She has fears that need to be conquered due to her tremendous nursing skills. Our male main character recognizes those skills immediately, and although he understands the reasons behind those fears, still wants Avery for his nurse. Christianity plays a huge role in the healing of our characters in a believable way. This book is written by an ER nurse with personal experience in this type of setting. I look forward to more books by her in the future.

Does Anyone Know of Good Chapter Books for Girls Age 8-11??

Sally — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:00:48 +0000

As I have mentioned many times before on this blog, I teach second grade children. Recently it was brought to my attention by a THIRD grade teacher that there are not enough easy chapter books for third grade girls. What do you think? Do you know of any I could suggest to her besides the classic Magic Treehouse, June B. Jones, Boxcar Children or Magic Schoolbus? We are in the business of encouraging and fostering a love of reading in children and we both buy hundreds of books for our classroom libraries. I have spent so much of my time worrying about having interesting things for BOYS that I never thought about girls’ books, although I have all the ones I mentioned and more. Please help me, reading friends. You will be doing a great service for children who may not have parents who care enough to supply their own children with good books. We have Accelerated Reader at our schools and spend at least 30 minutes a day reading self-selected books. Any suggestions you could send my way would be very much appreciated!

The Case of the Missing Sock and The Case of Red Rock Canyon by Renee Hand

Sally — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:48:26 +0000

I love the premise of these books. The idea of reading a book and figuring out clues by yourself and decoding secret messages is awesome and will appeal to most children, especially bright children. However, I got a little bit bogged down in the writing. I am not one for a lot of detail and these books seem to contain that. I tend to get lost in the explanations and start to lose the story. That is my reading style, however, I know that others thrive on lots of detail and explanation. The characters are interesting - two children and their granny. The parents solve mysteries as well. I would recommend these books for older children. My eight year old granddaughter, who is a very fluent and advanced reader found these books difficult, so maybe fifth and sixth graders would be the right age group. Keep the mysteries for children coming - we could use more Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys for this new generation. These books address that need.

Spotlighting: The Crypto Capers by Renee Hand!

Amy — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:32:46 +0000

The Case of Red Rock Canyon: THE TEAM: Max, Mia and Nellie (aka Granny) Holmes, along with their good friend, Morris, are known as the Crypto-Capers. They travel all around the world solving cases. Each member of the group has specific talents. Morris is the computer genius. Mia is the puzzle solver. Max is thick with logic and reasoning a very detailed fellow, while Nellie is fluent in various languages. With each book you will see each member s talents unfold, and we have barely scratched the surface of what each of them can really do. THE STOLEN ITEM: A missing Orchid Ruby Necklace THE ASSIGNMENT: The Case of Red Rock Canyon leads the team to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they are thrown into the dramatic world of theater to solve their next mystery. A week before the opening night of one of the most talked about plays on the Strip. It s main attraction a one-of-a-kind Orchid Ruby Necklace goes missing. The detectives soon become ensnared in a plot that could destroy them all. They must sift through the clues to figure out what is truth, and what are lies. One of their lives will be in the balance. Can they be saved? Only you can control the answer to that question. Join the Crypto-Capers on their adventure of self discovery and courage. Help them by solving the cryptograms and participating in the various activities. They are not for the faint of heart, but for the bravest and most confident of souls. Can you do it? We are counting on you. Good luck! Other books in the series: The Case of the Missing Sock.

The Case of the Missing Sock: The Team: In this story siblings Max and Mia Holmes, along with their good friend Morris and their flamboyant Granny Holmes, are known as The Crypto-Capers. They are a group of detectives who unravel crimes by solving cryptograms that criminals leave behind. Mia is an expert puzzle solver. Max is great at deduction and reasoning. Morris is a computer genius, and Granny . . . well, Granny is the muscle of the group. Don t let her size or age fool you she is quite handy. The Stolen Items: An antique sock (just one) and Prada sunglasses. The Assignment: The Case of the Missing Sock leads the Crypto-Capers to Florida, where they are hired by a Mr. Delacomb. The mystery leads the team to different locations. Clues flourish throughout the mystery. Suspects by the handful seem to pop up at every turn, but who committed the crime? Help the detectives solve the case by solving the cryptograms and puzzles. Good luck!

Frankie, The Walk ‘N Roll Dog by Barbara Gail Techel

Sally — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:00:02 +0000

Product Description
A true, inspirational story about a dachshund whose life started out just like any other dog, walking on all four paws until a spinal injury leaves her paralyzed. Frankie is custom fit for a wheelchair and learns to keep on rolling. Her zest for life will have you cheering and she will give you hope that all things are possible.

About the Author
Barbara wrote Frankie, The Walk ‘N Roll Dog to give hope and inspiration to all who face challenges. Her life time love of animals lead her to realize that Frankie s paralysis was an opportunity to spread a positive message. Barbara receives constant compassionate reactions when she is out with Frankie in her local town. People are fascinated by the little dog with tires, frequently asking her what happened to Frankie. The warmth, kindness and encouragement from strangers, as well as family and friends, lead Barbara to writing this, her first children s book. Since 2005 Barbara s column, For the Love of Animals has appeared in the Depot Dispatch. Her column shares stories of the daily antics and lives of her four-legged companions as well as other furry friends she has met. Barbara hopes Frankie s story will help anyone facing a challenge to realize they always have a choice as to how they will overcome a challenge and that hope is all you need to move forward.

My Review: I loved this book and it will be one of the first books I read to my new class in August. I know children will love it because children love hard luck stories (overcoming adversity) and animals! I never knew they had such a thing for dogs and I wonder if many people do unless they have a pet that needs a wheelchair! I love the way this books tells the story from the pet’s point of view, and there is unconditional love throughout the story.

Review: Sea Changes by Gail Graham

Amy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:16:26 +0000

Sarah Anderson is in deep grieving for her husband Charles. Two years after his unexpected death, she finds it difficult to carry out even her daily tasks. One night she attempts suicide by drowning in the sea.

Once in the water, though, she is pulled into an underwater world. In this world, life is different. When she reemerges, she can’t decide whether or not what happened was a dream.

It’s really difficult for me to review this book, because I’m not entirely sure that I “got” it. The writing is absolutely beautiful, there’s no doubt about that, but the underwater world didn’t make any sense to me. I couldn’t tell if the story was about Sarah going crazy, being willing to face death, or learning how to move on, and the ending didn’t really answer any of that for me.

One thing I did really enjoy was Sarah’s assessments of the Australian people and culture. While I’ve never been to Australia, it was a huge culture shock for me to live with Australians when I was in Japan, and I found many of her observations, unsurprisingly for the amount of time she was there, spot on.
All in all, it was an enjoyable and fairly quick read, I just didn’t really understand it.