Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Year: 2003
Genre: Sci-Fi
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: Books of Ember
Plot Summary: In the city of Ember, times are getting hard. The lights are flickering and supplies are running out. Lina Mayfleet is twelve years old and just started a job as a messenger while her friend Doon Harrow starts working in the depths of the city in the Pipeworks. When Lina finds a mysterious message, she and Doon slowly realize it's a message from the city's founders--the Builders--and it tells them how to leave the city for somewhere better. Unfortunately Ember's mayor isn't going to let them shake things up and Lina and Doon have to rely on each other to solve the mystery.
Award: 2006 Mark Twain Award
Movie Version: City of Ember
My Rating: A-. I really enjoyed this book. I don't know exactly how she did it, but DuPrau totally evokes the suffocating atmosphere of this underground city on the brink of desperation. The characters may be a little bit flat (or maybe just standard) but they don't detract from the story. I do think her writing got a little clunky when trying to describe things that Lina and Doon had never seen, like a boat and candles. But overall, it was a good read.
Showing posts with label post-2000 novels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label post-2000 novels. Show all posts
Monday, December 8, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Runaways, Vol. 1 (Hardcover)
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrators: Adrian Alphona, Takeshi Miyazawa
Year: 2006
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: Runaways ongoing title
Plot Summary: 5 teenagers and one tween discover their normal parents are really a group of super villains (called The Pride) working to overthrow the whole world. Confused, they run away and try to figure out how they can bring their parents to justice. Along the way, they discover unique abilities of their own as they go on the run, fight a hot vampire and, finally, confront their parents.
Red Flag/s: Character death, some language, action, teenage delinquency
Award/s: Eisner, Harvey
My Rating: B+. This started out more interesting than it ended up being. Midway through the characters started turning into cliches, and the story dragged a bit. The art and writing are both pretty solid, but neither are really fantastic. I got kind of tired of Vaughan sneaking in little bits of political agendas. Also, why were Gert's legs so very very short? Even more importantly, why did the raptor have a nose ring?
Illustrators: Adrian Alphona, Takeshi Miyazawa
Year: 2006
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: Runaways ongoing title
Plot Summary: 5 teenagers and one tween discover their normal parents are really a group of super villains (called The Pride) working to overthrow the whole world. Confused, they run away and try to figure out how they can bring their parents to justice. Along the way, they discover unique abilities of their own as they go on the run, fight a hot vampire and, finally, confront their parents.
Red Flag/s: Character death, some language, action, teenage delinquency
Award/s: Eisner, Harvey
My Rating: B+. This started out more interesting than it ended up being. Midway through the characters started turning into cliches, and the story dragged a bit. The art and writing are both pretty solid, but neither are really fantastic. I got kind of tired of Vaughan sneaking in little bits of political agendas. Also, why were Gert's legs so very very short? Even more importantly, why did the raptor have a nose ring?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Ophelia
Author: Lisa Klein
Year: 2006
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Young Adult
Plot Summary: This retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet focuses on Ophelia and her doomed romance with Hamlet. The story traces Ophelia's rambunctious childhood to her education and development at court and finally intersects with the events of Hamlet. Readers expecting the story to end with Ophelia's suicide will be surprised. Told from her own perspective, Ophelia offers a fresh take on a very familiar tale.
Red Flags: Character deaths, political intrigues, some men of a forceful persuasion
My Rating: B+. This is a good book. Klein is a good writer and her characters are fleshed out and interesting. I only have a few problems with this book. First, in an effort to make Ophelia a strong female character, Klein kind of turned her into a cliche. She's bookish! She's educated! She speaks her mind! Also, the romance element was not as strong as I expected. Besides a few scenes together there wasn't much interaction with Hamlet and Ophelia. Also, she spends half of the book thinking he never loved her, but hello, he totally did. Second, the last third of the book--SPOILER!--takes place at a French convent and it just seemed rather irrelevant. Or maybe that was just me. Third, I forget. Anyway, I liked it. It just got long and a little boring towards the end.
Year: 2006
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Young Adult
Plot Summary: This retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet focuses on Ophelia and her doomed romance with Hamlet. The story traces Ophelia's rambunctious childhood to her education and development at court and finally intersects with the events of Hamlet. Readers expecting the story to end with Ophelia's suicide will be surprised. Told from her own perspective, Ophelia offers a fresh take on a very familiar tale.
Red Flags: Character deaths, political intrigues, some men of a forceful persuasion
My Rating: B+. This is a good book. Klein is a good writer and her characters are fleshed out and interesting. I only have a few problems with this book. First, in an effort to make Ophelia a strong female character, Klein kind of turned her into a cliche. She's bookish! She's educated! She speaks her mind! Also, the romance element was not as strong as I expected. Besides a few scenes together there wasn't much interaction with Hamlet and Ophelia. Also, she spends half of the book thinking he never loved her, but hello, he totally did. Second, the last third of the book--SPOILER!--takes place at a French convent and it just seemed rather irrelevant. Or maybe that was just me. Third, I forget. Anyway, I liked it. It just got long and a little boring towards the end.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Author: Ann Brashares
Year: 2001
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel
Series: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Plot Summary: Four best friends, Lena, Bridget, Tibby and Carmen, are 15 and facing their first summer apart. The day before they separate they realize a pair of thrift-store jeans magically fit all of them perfectly. They go their separate ways to face their own trials over the summer, some with more success than others. Through it all, however, the Pants are shared and sent from one friend to another until they come together again.
Red Flags: Some mild language and mild sexual situations
Movie Version: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
My Rating: A. Good grief, this book sucked me like a Twilight book (sadly, no brain-breaking Jacobs involved). Maybe I liked it better because I had Gossip Girl to contrast it with, but I really, really liked this book. The girls had real personalities and read like actual people that could exist in real life. The adventures weren't too overblown or overdramatic, and the writing was good! Now, quick, give me the next one!
Year: 2001
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel
Series: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Plot Summary: Four best friends, Lena, Bridget, Tibby and Carmen, are 15 and facing their first summer apart. The day before they separate they realize a pair of thrift-store jeans magically fit all of them perfectly. They go their separate ways to face their own trials over the summer, some with more success than others. Through it all, however, the Pants are shared and sent from one friend to another until they come together again.
Red Flags: Some mild language and mild sexual situations
Movie Version: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
My Rating: A. Good grief, this book sucked me like a Twilight book (sadly, no brain-breaking Jacobs involved). Maybe I liked it better because I had Gossip Girl to contrast it with, but I really, really liked this book. The girls had real personalities and read like actual people that could exist in real life. The adventures weren't too overblown or overdramatic, and the writing was good! Now, quick, give me the next one!
Tantalize
Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith
Year: 2007
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Supernatural fantasy
Plot Summary: 17 and orphaned, Quincie Morris is overseeing the renovation of her family's Italian restaurant as it becomes the vampire-themed Sanguini's. After the head chef (and family friend) is brutally murdered, Quincie finds his replacement in the unassuming but talented Henry Johnson. Meanwhile Quincie's best friend (and would-be love interest) Kieren, a hybrid werewolf, is under suspicion for murder. Life gets increasingly stranger as Sanguini's opening night draws closer...
Red Flags: teenage drinking, some gore, moderate language, mild sexual content, general weirdness
My Rating: C. This book just got weirder and weirder. I thought it would be more Twilight-y (which, for some reason, I wanted) and it wasn't at all. I thought hot werewolf Kieren would actually be in the book, but he hardly was. Also, this book was strange and in the end, what was the point? The characters were bland. The setting was Austin but too undefined for me to get a grip on. Also, I hate it when characters aren't described (Kieren! I don't know what you look like! I only know that you're hot!).
Year: 2007
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Supernatural fantasy
Plot Summary: 17 and orphaned, Quincie Morris is overseeing the renovation of her family's Italian restaurant as it becomes the vampire-themed Sanguini's. After the head chef (and family friend) is brutally murdered, Quincie finds his replacement in the unassuming but talented Henry Johnson. Meanwhile Quincie's best friend (and would-be love interest) Kieren, a hybrid werewolf, is under suspicion for murder. Life gets increasingly stranger as Sanguini's opening night draws closer...
Red Flags: teenage drinking, some gore, moderate language, mild sexual content, general weirdness
My Rating: C. This book just got weirder and weirder. I thought it would be more Twilight-y (which, for some reason, I wanted) and it wasn't at all. I thought hot werewolf Kieren would actually be in the book, but he hardly was. Also, this book was strange and in the end, what was the point? The characters were bland. The setting was Austin but too undefined for me to get a grip on. Also, I hate it when characters aren't described (Kieren! I don't know what you look like! I only know that you're hot!).
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Fairest
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Year: 2006
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fairy tale
Series: Not a series per se, but set in the same universe as Ella Enchanted
Plot Summary: Aza has never been pretty, especially compared to other Ayorthians, but what she lacks in looks she makes up for with her singing talents. When Aza gets the chance to go to the king's wedding, her life changes as she becomes involved with court life. She doesn't have much time to enjoy it though, as an unfortunate accident has repercussions not just for Aza but for the whole kingdom.
Red Flags: None
My Rating: A- This was a fun book to read, very quick and absorbing (I liked it much more than Ella Enchanted, but not as much as Goose Chase). Aza was very likeable, as was the Prince. Probably my only gripe is how the gnomes talk. Am I supposed to be able to pronounce any of those words?
Year: 2006
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fairy tale
Series: Not a series per se, but set in the same universe as Ella Enchanted
Plot Summary: Aza has never been pretty, especially compared to other Ayorthians, but what she lacks in looks she makes up for with her singing talents. When Aza gets the chance to go to the king's wedding, her life changes as she becomes involved with court life. She doesn't have much time to enjoy it though, as an unfortunate accident has repercussions not just for Aza but for the whole kingdom.
Red Flags: None
My Rating: A- This was a fun book to read, very quick and absorbing (I liked it much more than Ella Enchanted, but not as much as Goose Chase). Aza was very likeable, as was the Prince. Probably my only gripe is how the gnomes talk. Am I supposed to be able to pronounce any of those words?
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Year: 2003
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Fantasy
Plot Summary: Despereaux, a small-bodied but large-eared mouse, is not like the other mice that live in the castle. He loves books and music and is in love with Princess Pea, which shocks his relations to their core. It's also this love that takes him on a series of adventures, down to the castle's dungeon, where the vicious rats live. Despite his small size, Despereaux risks everything to save his (human) lady love.
Red Flags: None! Unless you count a mild inter-species romance.
Movie Version: The Tale of Despereaux
Award/s: Newbery Medal, 2004
My Rating: A. This was a very fun, endearing kind of book. Despereaux is cute, cuddly and sincere, and the supporting characters are all entertaining (especially his French mother). I like Kate DiCamillo's writing style, although I didn't so much care for her constantly saying "Reader..." But overall, it was a great book.
Year: 2003
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Fantasy
Plot Summary: Despereaux, a small-bodied but large-eared mouse, is not like the other mice that live in the castle. He loves books and music and is in love with Princess Pea, which shocks his relations to their core. It's also this love that takes him on a series of adventures, down to the castle's dungeon, where the vicious rats live. Despite his small size, Despereaux risks everything to save his (human) lady love.
Red Flags: None! Unless you count a mild inter-species romance.
Movie Version: The Tale of Despereaux
Award/s: Newbery Medal, 2004
My Rating: A. This was a very fun, endearing kind of book. Despereaux is cute, cuddly and sincere, and the supporting characters are all entertaining (especially his French mother). I like Kate DiCamillo's writing style, although I didn't so much care for her constantly saying "Reader..." But overall, it was a great book.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Gossip Girl
Author: Cecily Von Ziegesar
Year: 2002
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel
Series: Gossip Girl
Plot Summary: Serena van der Woodsen used to be the queen of Constance Billard School until she left for a year of boarding school. She comes back to find that her former best friend, Blair Waldorf, has gotten used to having the spotlight. Nasty rumors start spreading about Serena's time away and she soon finds herself an outcast and looking for new friends. Much teen drama ensues.
Red Flags: Um, a lot. Of every kind. It seems like you'd at least have to be voting age to read this book. But to be more specific, there is plentiful strong language, teenage drinking, drug use and and sex a'plenty. There's also some bulemia on the side.
My Rating: D
Um, this book is a pile of crap. (Sorry, Mom) No, seriously, I can't believe teenage girls are reading this. I can see college girls enjoying it for the ridiculousness of it, but for really reading it and wanting to get into that world? That's kind of unbelievable.
Year: 2002
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel
Series: Gossip Girl
Plot Summary: Serena van der Woodsen used to be the queen of Constance Billard School until she left for a year of boarding school. She comes back to find that her former best friend, Blair Waldorf, has gotten used to having the spotlight. Nasty rumors start spreading about Serena's time away and she soon finds herself an outcast and looking for new friends. Much teen drama ensues.
Red Flags: Um, a lot. Of every kind. It seems like you'd at least have to be voting age to read this book. But to be more specific, there is plentiful strong language, teenage drinking, drug use and and sex a'plenty. There's also some bulemia on the side.
My Rating: D
Um, this book is a pile of crap. (Sorry, Mom) No, seriously, I can't believe teenage girls are reading this. I can see college girls enjoying it for the ridiculousness of it, but for really reading it and wanting to get into that world? That's kind of unbelievable.
Jinx
Author: Meg Cabot
Year: 2007
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel/Fantasy
Plot Summary: Hoping to escape her perpetual bad luck, Jean Honeychurch (aka Jinx) moves from a small town in Iowa to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle in New York City. There she finds that her formerly friendly cousin, Tory, has turned into a surly teenager with a lot of attitude and a belief that she's a witch. When Jinx seems to be getting everything Tory wants, Tory does her best to make Jinx's life miserable, including bringing her past back to haunt her.
Red Flags: Some strong language, teenage partying, witchcraft
My Rating: B-
I expected this book to just be the standard teen drama novel, and then was really surprised when the witchcraft angle came in. It was kind of weird how it was presented, like witchcraft is a beautiful thing and all about being in harmony with nature. Not that I don't like nature or being harmony with it, but it was just kind of strange. The writing was all right, nothing spectacular, and the characters were all pretty standard. Also, Jinx was unbelievably dense when it came to her boy situation.
Year: 2007
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel/Fantasy
Plot Summary: Hoping to escape her perpetual bad luck, Jean Honeychurch (aka Jinx) moves from a small town in Iowa to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle in New York City. There she finds that her formerly friendly cousin, Tory, has turned into a surly teenager with a lot of attitude and a belief that she's a witch. When Jinx seems to be getting everything Tory wants, Tory does her best to make Jinx's life miserable, including bringing her past back to haunt her.
Red Flags: Some strong language, teenage partying, witchcraft
My Rating: B-
I expected this book to just be the standard teen drama novel, and then was really surprised when the witchcraft angle came in. It was kind of weird how it was presented, like witchcraft is a beautiful thing and all about being in harmony with nature. Not that I don't like nature or being harmony with it, but it was just kind of strange. The writing was all right, nothing spectacular, and the characters were all pretty standard. Also, Jinx was unbelievably dense when it came to her boy situation.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Coraline
Author: Neil Gaiman
Year: 2002
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Real world fantasy
Plot Summary: Coraline loves exploring and she has plenty of time to explore her family's new flat, which is part of a larger house. In the course of her exploring she opens a door that leads to nothing...or so it seems. Soon she discovers an other world on the other side with other versions of her parents and neighbors. Her other parents adore her to a creepy extent and though they let her leave the first time, leaving the second time isn't so easy.
Red Flags: The story would scare some kids
Movie version: Coraline
My Rating: A-
This was such a spooky book! Ominous messages from mice, button eyes, shadowy things...spooky! This is probably my favorite Gaiman book that I've read. I really like the story and Coraline, though I wish we got into her head a little more. She says she's scared, but I don't always believe her. Also, I liked the cat.
Year: 2002
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Real world fantasy
Plot Summary: Coraline loves exploring and she has plenty of time to explore her family's new flat, which is part of a larger house. In the course of her exploring she opens a door that leads to nothing...or so it seems. Soon she discovers an other world on the other side with other versions of her parents and neighbors. Her other parents adore her to a creepy extent and though they let her leave the first time, leaving the second time isn't so easy.
Red Flags: The story would scare some kids
Movie version: Coraline
My Rating: A-
This was such a spooky book! Ominous messages from mice, button eyes, shadowy things...spooky! This is probably my favorite Gaiman book that I've read. I really like the story and Coraline, though I wish we got into her head a little more. She says she's scared, but I don't always believe her. Also, I liked the cat.
Crispin: the Cross of Lead
Author: Avi
Year: 2002
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Historical
Series: Crispin
Plot Summary: After his mother's death, 13-year-old Crispin happens to overhear a mysterious nighttime conversation that leads to his being framed for theft. Escaping into the woods, Crispin begins a desperate journey to find safety. Along the way he meets a deep-thinking entertainer and together they work to outrun Crispin's pursuers and discover the secrets of Crispin's past.
Red Flags: Religious discussion and themes
Award/s: Newbery medal winner
My Rating: A
This was the first Avi book I've ever read and I am definitely going to have to pick up the next book soon. The writing is very good and Crispin is such a cute little character. It also has a nice level of historical detail--enough to fully set the stage, but not so much that it reads like an encyclopedia article.
Year: 2002
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Historical
Series: Crispin
Plot Summary: After his mother's death, 13-year-old Crispin happens to overhear a mysterious nighttime conversation that leads to his being framed for theft. Escaping into the woods, Crispin begins a desperate journey to find safety. Along the way he meets a deep-thinking entertainer and together they work to outrun Crispin's pursuers and discover the secrets of Crispin's past.
Red Flags: Religious discussion and themes
Award/s: Newbery medal winner
My Rating: A
This was the first Avi book I've ever read and I am definitely going to have to pick up the next book soon. The writing is very good and Crispin is such a cute little character. It also has a nice level of historical detail--enough to fully set the stage, but not so much that it reads like an encyclopedia article.
An Abundance of Katherines
Author: John Green
Year: 2006
Age Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel
Plot Summary: Colin Singleton is a "washed-up child prodigy" who has just been dumped by a Katherine for the nineteenth time. In an effort to distract him, Colin's best friend, Hassan, instigates a roadtrip adventure. It's not long before the two find themselves in Gutshot, Tennessee, looking for the grave of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and making friends with the locals. Colin and Hassan take up residence in a pink mansion and experience all the drama and teenage antics Gutshot have to offer, while Colin tries to explain his dumping-by-Katherines history with mathematics.
Red Flags: Language, some sexual content, some math talk
My Rating: B+
I'm lukewarm about a lot of this book. The story and setting is fun enough, and some of the characters are interesting. I guess I just don't relate to it much because this was nothing like my teenage experience, and the book seems like it's supposed to reflect the average teenager. Anyway. I did really like Colin by the end of it though, and the whole resolution of the story was pretty satisfying, if predictable.
Year: 2006
Age Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel
Plot Summary: Colin Singleton is a "washed-up child prodigy" who has just been dumped by a Katherine for the nineteenth time. In an effort to distract him, Colin's best friend, Hassan, instigates a roadtrip adventure. It's not long before the two find themselves in Gutshot, Tennessee, looking for the grave of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and making friends with the locals. Colin and Hassan take up residence in a pink mansion and experience all the drama and teenage antics Gutshot have to offer, while Colin tries to explain his dumping-by-Katherines history with mathematics.
Red Flags: Language, some sexual content, some math talk
My Rating: B+
I'm lukewarm about a lot of this book. The story and setting is fun enough, and some of the characters are interesting. I guess I just don't relate to it much because this was nothing like my teenage experience, and the book seems like it's supposed to reflect the average teenager. Anyway. I did really like Colin by the end of it though, and the whole resolution of the story was pretty satisfying, if predictable.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Goose Chase
Author: Patrice Kindl
Year: 2002
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Fairy tale
Plot Summary: Alexandria Aurora Fortunato, once simply a Goose Girl, has been enchanted and put in a tower while a young, simple Prince and a older, ruthless King vie for her hand in marriage. Her twelve white geese come to her rescue just in time, and although Alexandria escapes the tower, she still has to deal with hungry ogresses, a cruel Baroness and a hapless traveling companion. All she wants is to live in the country again with her geese, but Alexandria seems to be destined for a life grander than that of a Goose Girl.
My rating: A.
I read this book several years ago and loved it. I was hoping it would hold up on a second reading, and it did. It has everything a good fairy tale ought to have: enchantments, royalty, good characters and a satisfying conclusion.
Year: 2002
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Fairy tale
Plot Summary: Alexandria Aurora Fortunato, once simply a Goose Girl, has been enchanted and put in a tower while a young, simple Prince and a older, ruthless King vie for her hand in marriage. Her twelve white geese come to her rescue just in time, and although Alexandria escapes the tower, she still has to deal with hungry ogresses, a cruel Baroness and a hapless traveling companion. All she wants is to live in the country again with her geese, but Alexandria seems to be destined for a life grander than that of a Goose Girl.
My rating: A.
I read this book several years ago and loved it. I was hoping it would hold up on a second reading, and it did. It has everything a good fairy tale ought to have: enchantments, royalty, good characters and a satisfying conclusion.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Author: Brian Selznick
Year: 2007
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Mystery, illustrated
Plot Summary: Hugo Cabret is a young boy living in the hidden areas of the train station in Paris, France, 1931. He winds and repairs all the clocks in the station, keeping out of sight and stealing the necessities of life. His real project, however, is a mysterious "mechanical man" who, when fixed, will write what Hugo hopes is a message from his dead father. In his quest to repair the automaton, Hugo gets involved in a larger mystery that involves drawings, necklaces and dreams.
The inclusion of 284 pages of illustrations make this an exceptionally entertaining book, one that Brian Selznick describes as "not exactly a novel, not quite a picture book, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book or a movie, but a combination of all these things."
Award/s: 2008 Caldecott Medal,
Memorable quotes: "I like to imagine the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too." --page 378
My rating: A. I hemmed and hawed about this one, mainly because the resolution and mystery were so entirely not what I expected. I did love the atmosphere of the book though, the illustrations are really, really lovely and the characters are quite charming. Hence the A.
Year: 2007
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Mystery, illustrated
Plot Summary: Hugo Cabret is a young boy living in the hidden areas of the train station in Paris, France, 1931. He winds and repairs all the clocks in the station, keeping out of sight and stealing the necessities of life. His real project, however, is a mysterious "mechanical man" who, when fixed, will write what Hugo hopes is a message from his dead father. In his quest to repair the automaton, Hugo gets involved in a larger mystery that involves drawings, necklaces and dreams.
The inclusion of 284 pages of illustrations make this an exceptionally entertaining book, one that Brian Selznick describes as "not exactly a novel, not quite a picture book, not really a graphic novel, or a flip book or a movie, but a combination of all these things."
Award/s: 2008 Caldecott Medal,
Memorable quotes: "I like to imagine the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too." --page 378
My rating: A. I hemmed and hawed about this one, mainly because the resolution and mystery were so entirely not what I expected. I did love the atmosphere of the book though, the illustrations are really, really lovely and the characters are quite charming. Hence the A.
Because of Winn-Dixie
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Year: 2000
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Novel
Plot Summary: India Opal Buloni is ten years old when she moves with her preacher father to Naomi, Florida. Struggling to find friends and interact with her father, she chances to meet a large, smelly dog in the grocery store. The two form an instant bond, and she adopts the dog after naming him Winn-Dixie. Together with Winn-Dixie, India Opal Buloni finds true friends, comes to terms with her mother's absence and finally reconnects with her father.
Award/s: Newbery winner
Movie version/s: Because of Winn-Dixie
My rating: A
I liked this book more than I expected to. I liked that the kids acted like kids, but it still had a serious edge and genuine emotions. It was a little bit cozy but still realistic. DiCamillo has a really nice writing style.
Year: 2000
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Novel
Plot Summary: India Opal Buloni is ten years old when she moves with her preacher father to Naomi, Florida. Struggling to find friends and interact with her father, she chances to meet a large, smelly dog in the grocery store. The two form an instant bond, and she adopts the dog after naming him Winn-Dixie. Together with Winn-Dixie, India Opal Buloni finds true friends, comes to terms with her mother's absence and finally reconnects with her father.
Award/s: Newbery winner
Movie version/s: Because of Winn-Dixie
My rating: A
I liked this book more than I expected to. I liked that the kids acted like kids, but it still had a serious edge and genuine emotions. It was a little bit cozy but still realistic. DiCamillo has a really nice writing style.
The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 1: The Field Guide
Authors: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Year: 2003
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Real world fantasy
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles
Plot Summary: After his family moves to the run-down Spiderwick estate, it's not long before Jared Grace starts to notice unusual things around the house. Jared, his twin brother, Simon, and his older sister, Mallory, decide to find the source of scratching noises behind the wall ("Probably a squirrel."). In the process, Jared discovers much more than a lost squirrel and finds himself battling a sneaky, mischievous foe.
Red Flag: Since this is only the first of five books, the ending is somewhat open.
Movie version/s: The Spiderwick Chronicles
My rating: A-
This was a really fun book. I feel like I've just tipped my toe in the water, so to speak, and so I will definitely be picking up the next book. I also really liked the illustrations. Just judging by the covers, I expected it to be much more of a Series of Unfortunate Events knockoff, but it really wasn't similar at all.
Year: 2003
Age Level: Intermediate
Genre: Real world fantasy
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles
Plot Summary: After his family moves to the run-down Spiderwick estate, it's not long before Jared Grace starts to notice unusual things around the house. Jared, his twin brother, Simon, and his older sister, Mallory, decide to find the source of scratching noises behind the wall ("Probably a squirrel."). In the process, Jared discovers much more than a lost squirrel and finds himself battling a sneaky, mischievous foe.
Red Flag: Since this is only the first of five books, the ending is somewhat open.
Movie version/s: The Spiderwick Chronicles
My rating: A-
This was a really fun book. I feel like I've just tipped my toe in the water, so to speak, and so I will definitely be picking up the next book. I also really liked the illustrations. Just judging by the covers, I expected it to be much more of a Series of Unfortunate Events knockoff, but it really wasn't similar at all.
The Dollmage
Author: Martine Leavitt
Year: 2002
Age Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy (Pure)
Plot Summary: The village of Seekvalley is led by the Dollmage, one woman with the power to guide and protect her people with her mystical abilities. Two girls, Annakey and Renoa, are born on the same day and both have the potential to be the Dollmage. Even though Renoa is favored to become the Dollmage, Annakey develops her skills as well, often in secret. When outsiders threaten the safety of Seekvalley, both girls form plans to save the village with their abilities, but in the end there can only be one Dollmage.
Red Flags: some minor gore, (discrete) rape scene
My rating: C
This was kind of strange book. The first-person narration made it really hard to imagine the world and setting of the story--it was kind of like watching a movie filmed entirely with close-ups. So I didn't really understand why dolls were the method of controlling and creating the society, and it just came off as random. It's hard to take it seriously when it's weird.
Year: 2002
Age Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy (Pure)
Plot Summary: The village of Seekvalley is led by the Dollmage, one woman with the power to guide and protect her people with her mystical abilities. Two girls, Annakey and Renoa, are born on the same day and both have the potential to be the Dollmage. Even though Renoa is favored to become the Dollmage, Annakey develops her skills as well, often in secret. When outsiders threaten the safety of Seekvalley, both girls form plans to save the village with their abilities, but in the end there can only be one Dollmage.
Red Flags: some minor gore, (discrete) rape scene
My rating: C
This was kind of strange book. The first-person narration made it really hard to imagine the world and setting of the story--it was kind of like watching a movie filmed entirely with close-ups. So I didn't really understand why dolls were the method of controlling and creating the society, and it just came off as random. It's hard to take it seriously when it's weird.
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