Book Reviews
This page on my blog is dedicated solely to book reviews. I was thinking about what I like to do and could possibly share with others, and I hit on books. Now, I love to read. If reading was a superpower, I would have it. The library can't get new books in fast enough. Thus, a book review page sounded like a good idea.
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The Turtle of Oman October 6th, 2020 By Naomi Shihab Nye
Aref is a young boy who lives in Oman. He loves everything about his country; the marketplace, his school, and his friends. This makes moving to Michigan even harder for him. He doesn't understand why his parents need to get their doctorate degrees- to him, they're smart enough already. When his dad leaves to get their apartment ready for Aref and his mom, Areft has a hard time believing he only has a week left. His mom, exasperated that he's refusing to pack, calls Aref's grandfather and asks him to help. Sidi, Aref's grandfather, takes Aref on a journy throughout Oman, and at each stop, finds a special stone to remind Aref of their adventures together. Finally, Aref realizes that while he still has so much he wants to do, he's only going to be gone for a few years- everything will still be there when he returns, including Sidi. This children's book about letting go and embracing change is perfect for elementary-aged children.
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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl October 5th, 2020
By Stacy McAnulty
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Lucy was struck by lightning when she was eight years old, and she's been a math genius ever since. She knows that it's really brain damage, not a super power, but it gives her freaky insane math skills just the same. Her grandmother pulled her out of public school when she was in second grade, and she's been homeschooled up until now. When her grandmother forces her to spend one year in the nearby middle school before going to college, Lucy begins to get some of the problems on the assignments wrong on purpose so that she won't have to stand out. In a tear-jerking turn of events, Lucy finds her place among her peers when a little dog with a big problem captures her heart. This middle-grade novel is perfect for those seeking a good cry.
Blackbird Fly September 7th, 2020
By Erin Entrada Kelly
Apple knows her nickname is unusual, but she's never really given it much thought until she's put on the list of ugliest girls at school and her so-called "friends" desert her. When a new kid comes to twon, she asks him to the upcoming Halloween dance at school so she won't have to go alone. When he learns this at the party, he leaves after having stood up to the mean and popular kids with Apple for themselves and another girl who is slightly overweight. Helena, the girl who is a little on the heavy side, is mocked and called Big-leena and together, she, Apple, and the new kid stand up for themselves and others by discovering their true selves through music. This middle grade novel deals with prominent social injustices in today's society and teaches that it's okay to stand up for yourself and others.
Orphan Island September 7th, 2020
By Laurel Snyder
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Jinny knows the rules of the island; every year a boat appears from the mist at sea and brings a young child to join them while taking the oldest child away. This year though, her best friend Deen leaves, making her her the new elder. However, she's not ready for the responsibility of taking care of Ess and grooming the next oldest kid to be elder after her. The whole group of kids helps her take care of Ess, and the little girl prospers. When it's Jinny's time to leave, she doesn't, and the cycle of the perfect island is thrown out of balance. There's suddenly not enough food, the animals turn mean, and the island stops protecting them. Finally, when the newest charge, a little boy, is bitten by a now-venomous snake, Jinny does the one thing she can do and boards the boat with him as snow begins to fall- something that's never happened before. She sets out for her new life as the book ends. This tale offers the simple moral that sometimes the best thing you can do is let go and look towards the future. This book is for girls aged twelve and up beginning their journey as a woman.
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Born to Fly September 7th, 2020
By Michael Ferrari
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I seem to be reading books that have the word "fly" in them recently. This one also has "fly" in the title, but it has a different meaning than the last book. This World War Two story maps the course of Bird, an elven-year-old girl who is obsessed with anything concerning airplanes. When she meets Kenji, a Japanese American who has come to live with his uncle since his parents were put in a camp for Japanese Americans, she thinks he's a spy. Bird doesn't trust Kenji, and neither do most of the people in the town. Gradually, however, the events the two witness and the search for the real spy who's pinned the blame on Kenji's uncle, brings the two together. The climax of this book occurs when Bird steals a plane belonging to the nearby army base and flies it to try and rescue Kenji, who's in danger from the spy. The thrilling conclusion of this historical fiction book makes it a great read for anyone aged elven and up.
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Maximillian Fly September 7th, 2020
By Angie Sage
This novel follows the combined stories of several different characters struggling to survive in a cruel, futuristic world. The reader becomes involved with the story when Maximillian Fly, a combination of human and cockroach, senses someone watching and seeks to prove his goodness to the invisible reader. He sees two Wingless, or humans, in Silver Seed outfits trying to escape and opens his door to them. They in turn believe he means them harm and attack him. The resulting events unfold in startling chapters of revenge, survival, and finding family- both blood and formed from friendship- in unexpected places. To tell more would be to ruin the epic scenes of suspense and finding hope in even the worst of situations. I would recommend this book for teens aged 13 and up.
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The Summer I Learned to Fly August 20th, 2020
By Dana Reinhardt
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This book is about tragedy, loss, and a friendship that begins a journey to heal the people Emmett and Robin love most. Robin's mom coped with the loss of Robin's dad by legally changing three-year-old Robin's name from Robin Drew to Drew Robin; Drew being her dad's name. Robin has had a boring, predictable life in her little town, and the most exciting thing there is her mom's cheese shop and Nick, a high school senior who works in her mom's store and lets her help make pasta. Robin's pet rat named Hum gets loose one day, and she goes back to the store after dark to try and find him. There she meets Emmett, who she learns has been the person taking the leftover food she sets out on the back doorstep of the shop every night. He has found her rat and is feeding him leftover cheese, which Robin thought Hum couldn't have. Meeting mysterious Emmett who leaves messages through origami cranes is the start of a new chapter in friendless Robin's life. As her mom starts keeping secrets and grounding Robin for forgetting to leave a note, Robin begins to rebel. She can't take her mom's attitude towards her, and on top of that, Nick has just been in a motorcycle accident. When Emmett reveals his secret to her, she takes off on a journey with him to find the one thing they hope can save them all. This is a must-read for middle and high school students.
The Apple Tart of Hope August 20th, 2020
By Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
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This powerful book on friendship and not giving up hope even when it seems all is lost is a reminder to put ourselves in each other's shoes. Meg and Oscar are best friends, and they share secrets sitting on their windowsills at night- their houses are right next to each other. Oscar makes the best apple tarts in the world; at least, Meg thinks so, and she knows most of the town agrees with her. But when her parents move her to New Zealand for several months, a new girl moves in to rent her house. She instantly becomes jealous of Meg, and her friendship with Oscar. She starts turning classmates at school against Oscar and his incredible baking ability. She replaces a note she found under Meg's mattress with a forged one, telling Oscar how much Meg hates him. She then contacts Meg to let her know she gave the letter to Oscar. Meg thinks he received her original letter, and panics, but in truth, Oscar becomes depressed, thinking that even his best friend has deserted him. Finally, he runs his bike off the docks, and Meg flies home early, heartbroken. This book details how building walls around you and miscommunication can have disastrous results. Will Meg and Oscar get a chance to redeem their friendship? Will the bitter and jealous new girl be brought to face the truth? Read this middle-grade story to find out!
The Maze Runner June 25th, 2020
By James Dashner
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This hair-raising teen book is the first in a series of three dystopian tales. Thomas wakes up with his memory wiped and discovered he is in a box that is steadily rising upwards. His first name is the only personal thing he can remember about himself. Freaked out and scared, Thomas enters into his new life at the Glade with dozens of other teen boys. He is slowly introduced to the elements of the Glade, and the Maze that surrounds it. When he sees the Runners enter the Glade at night just before the doors shut, he instantly knows he wants to be one of them. He shares this desire with some of the others boys, and is laughed at and teased; Runner being the hardest job there is. The next day, however, the boys turn on him in suspicion. The reason: the Box comes up two days in a row instead of once a month- and a girl's inside. The girl goes into a coma, and Thomas is shunned. When Teresa wakes up from her coma, she and Thomas team up to solve the maze. Throughout the course of the book, Thomas builds friendships he never thought he'd make, and he, along with the few remaining Gladers, attempts escape. Read the book to find out what happens next in this fast-paced dystopian adventure.
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The Mugged Pug June 17th, 2020
By Darrel and Sally Odgers
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This book is actually part of a series; Jack Russel: Dog Detective. When I asked my brother what book I should review next, he came up with this one, which happens to be the third book in the series. Now that I've done some middle- and high- school- level books, as well as one adult novel, I decided it was high time to include an elementary- age book. So this one is pretty straightforward: Jack Russel, the main character, is indignant when his owner removes his collar and puts it on another dog in order to take him home from the pound until his owner returns. After his collar is once again put on him, Jack begins to smell something suspicious. Shuffle the Pug is not the only dog missing his collar. Throughout the day, Jack and his crew sniff around town to discover who is taking the collars. When Jack and his not-so-faithful friend Foxie the Fox Terrier discover the culprit, they rally their friends to take him down. Find out what happens in this exciting children's chapter book. I would recommend this series for elementary-aged children.
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The Spy Princess June 16th, 2020 By Sherwood Smith
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This thrilling middle-grade novel about a fourteen-year old princess discovering who she is and how she can help her kingdom in the middle of a revolution is sure to put a smile on your face. Lady Lilah lives under the tyrannical rule of her father, Prince of Selenna. Her older brother Peitar, who was crippled when thrown from a horse at age seven, is growing more and more distant every day. One night, Lilah sneaks out of her room and meets up with a stable boy who works at the house. In her disguise as a simple peasant boy, however, Lilah (or Larei, as she introduces herself as) is not recognized, and is able to learn the truth about what's going on outside her cruel but sheltered life. She joins forces with the revolution, carefully keeping her identity a secret, as the villagers call her Lady Fluffbrain behind her back and would not be pleased to discover who she really is, despite the fact that Lilah has done nothing to deserve the cruel nickname. Even after Lilah is discovered by one of her friends, she isn't rejected, and continues her covert work. Over the course of the book, Peiter reveals himself as one of the heads of the revolution, and Derek, Peiter's best friend, starts a violent overthrow of government, despite the warnings not to. The resulting chaos leaves the King at large with the kingdom's massive army, and Lilah's father dead. Shaken, Lilah and three of her village friends form a secret club that does undercover work for the revolution. Peiter and Derek are eventually captured by the evil king, and sentenced to death. Lilah and her friends do all they can, but will it be too late for the two revolution leaders? Read this gripping tale for the exciting conclusion to the first book in this adventure-packed middle-grade series.
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The Running Dream June 16th, 2020 By Wendelin Van Draanen
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This novel about a teen girl struggling to come to terms with the loss of her leg after a tragic bus accident is a gripping tale of honesty, perseverance, and love. Runner Jessica is as shattered as her right leg when she learns it has to be amputated after the bus she was in crashed coming back from a track meet. She becomes despondent as the pain and reality of her loss overtake her. Slowly, through her friends' and family's encouragement, Jessica is able to walk with a crutch, return to school, and come to grips with her situation. After she is shown a video of a runner sprinting with a prosthetic leg, it becomes her goal to raise enough money for a running leg. The problem? The leg costs a lot of money. The book follows her journey with being fitted with a walking leg, her schools' rallying behind her to raise the necessary money, and her friendship with a math genius who has cerebral palsy. Together, she and her friends overcome incredible odds and prove that with enough determination, grit, and a solid foundation of friends and family supporting you, anything is possible. This high school-level book is a must-read for both teens and adults looking for a touching story that makes you rethink your outlook on life.
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Return To Harmony May 19th, 2020 By Janette Oke and Davis Bunn
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Some of you might be familiar with the name Janette Oke. That's because she's written a lot of Christian books. Now, I like to read a wide variety of literature, and I loved this book, so I decided to share it with you guys. This book details the life of two young girls growing up together. One girl is lively, and wants to see the world. The other is quiet and all she wants to do is marry a good Christian man and have a family together. They couldn't be more different, but the two are best friends. Jody, the lively girl, loses her faith when her mom dies, but Bethan prays for her, begging her to let them pray together. Jodie refuses, and even ends the friendship when Bethan acts on faith for Jodie's good. Claiming that Bethan had committed a terrible sin, Jodie grows even more distant, and eventually leave to go to college, where she faces discrimination. The years roll by, and Bethan becomes engaged to the new pastor at her country church. She begs Jodie to come back for the wedding, and Jodie does. Once there, they have a deep, meaningful discussion, and Jodie realizes that she can't go on the way she's living anymore. Together, she and Bethan pray, and Jodie accepts God back into her life. She is filled with an enormous sense of peace and well-being. She is then able to put her childhood and unease behind her, and even forgive the man who caused her so much pain because she was the only woman in her major at college. This is a beautiful story of friendship and love, and I would say that for older teenagers and adults this is a must-read.
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The Fog Diver April 24th, 2020
By Joel Ross
This children's book was an adventure book, and dealt with a futuristic dystopian world ruled by the evil Lord Kodoc. It's a novel, and gives a sort of mysterious air throughout, as the reader is guessing along with the characters. Here's a brief summary: centuries ago, tiny nanites were created to clean the earth of pollution. However, the nanites malfunctioned and began to see the humans as pollution. It began attacking them, and swirled into a dense fog, killing anyone underneath it, but spared the lives of the animals. The people fled to the mountain tops, but eventually only the most important families were allowed to live on the actual mountain. Instead, the poorer people had to live on giant floating platforms that hovered above the Fog. They were incredibly dangerous, and at times the overseers would dump entire sections of the slums into the Fog. Now we skip ahead to Lord Kodoc, who had heard an old legend about a girl born long ago with the Fog in one eye. It helped her descend into the Fog and forage for food and other necessities without killing her. He desperately wanted to get ahold of such a person, as it would aid his greed and give him even more power. He began to force women about to give birth to do so beneath the Fog. That's how Chess was born. However, before Lord Kodoc even knew that Chess had a Fog eye, a young woman risked her life to climb down beneath the Fog and rescue any babies that had been born. Unfortunately, his mother had died giving birth, but the woman, named Mrs. E, was able to save him and reunited him with his father. Chess grew out his bangs so no one could see his eye, and lived with his father until he died. Then Mrs. E brought him to live with her and other slum kids she'd rescued. They grew into a powerful team that worked together to scavenge beneath the Fog. Eventually, Lord Kodoc figured out that Chess existed, and the team had to evade him while trying to find a cure for Mrs. E, who had become desperately ill from the Fog. During their journey, they befriended pirates, discovered a secret underground group dedicated to doing good, and lost Chess to Lord Kodoc. Chess eventually jumped off Kodoc's ship, and was reunited with his friends. They fled from Kodoc to the other mountaintop, and the book ended when they reached the safety of the mountain. I would recommend this book for children aged 12 and up.
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The Lost Compass April 24th, 2020
By Joel Ross
This book is the sequel to The Fog Diver, and continues with the futuristic dystopian theme. This novel maintained its mysterious air and continued having the readers guess along with the characters. This book picks up right where it left off. Here's a summary: Chess and his friends thought they were safe when they reached Port Oro, a safe mountain top, but Lord Kodoc followed them there, intent on capturing Chess and forcing him to dive into the Fog to find the lost Compass, the one thing said to be able to lift the Fog. This fail-safe had become a legend, and many people had died trying to find it. The problem was nobody knew where it was located, and everything looked the same from above the Fog. The people at Port Oro were willing to help Mrs. E recover, but in return, they wanted Chess to help them find the Compass before Lord Kodoc did. Chess agreed despite his friends' fears, and dove deep underground into an abandoned station to find the map that showed where the Compass was. The only problem? Drift sharks made up of nanites prowled around the lower stories deep inside the Fog, and the people at Port Oro had lost nine Fog divers to the vicious predators. Chess dove with two other Fog divers, but when drift sharks began to surround them, he cut the cable from himself, attached them to it, and pulled on the rope to let his friends up above know to bring it up. He ventured deeper inside without a cable, the only thing that had protected him. Finally, he found the map painted on the ceiling, memorized it, and after several close encounters with drift sharks, made it above ground. There he found that his friends had suspended cables every few feet so that he could make his way back up. When they hauled him back above the Fog, they discovered that the Fog was in both eyes, but it faded back to the original eye after a few hours. Lord Kodoc then chose that time to attack. Chess and his friends zoomed off to find the Compass but were unsuccessful. After a few key happenings that I'm not going to divulge here, Chess ended up getting captured once more by Lord Kodoc and was forced into drawing a map of the area where the Compass was and how to find it. His friends managed to break him out, but not before Lord Kodoc had found the location on the map. I don't want to spoil the story, so I'm going to skip ahead to the end. In a thrilling turn of events, Chess and his friends found the Compass, stopped Lord Kodoc's invasion, and with that, the book ended quite satisfactorily. I would recommend this book for children ages 12 and up.
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