tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26494674924292232532024-03-05T21:46:17.960-06:00WeaVeR ReVieWOn this blog, my husband and I will write reviews for books. Some reviews will be from just one of us, others will have opinions from both of us. Join in and share your comments on the items being reviewed, too.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-68029860797115598322013-09-21T15:13:00.001-05:002013-09-21T15:13:34.533-05:00Into the Woods, but Don't Take this Book to Grandma's House<u>In the Woods</u> by Tana French<br />
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This is an award-winning book and I've heard many people enjoyed this book and the author's following books; however, I didn't enjoy this book. <br />
Rob Ryan is a detective in the Dublin Murder Squad. Only four people know his true name or past. When he was twelve, he and his two best friends went into the woods. He was the only to come out of the woods. He was covered in someone else's blood. No one ever figured out what happened. Now Rob and his partner are assigned the murder case of a young girl whose body was found in those same woods. Sounds interesting...but the rest left me dissappointed<br />
Rob eventually screws up royally, hurting who he cares about most. He doesn't redeem himself; he can't really, it's too late, what's been done 'sbeen done. After missing some obvious clues, they do solve the girl's murder but with an unsatisfactory conclusion. No headway is made on the case from Rob's past. Maybe he turns it around in future books, and maybe we get some clues about his friend's disappearances in the next books. I didn't care enough about him to find out.<br />
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<a href="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780143113492_p0_v3_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad Series #1)" border="0" height="200" src="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780143113492_p0_v3_s260x420.JPG" width="135" /></a></div>
WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-91244023711869784122013-09-21T14:58:00.000-05:002013-09-21T14:58:19.644-05:00Fell Short<u>After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall</u> by Nancy Kress <br />
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<a href="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9781616960650_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall: A Novel" border="0" height="200" src="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9781616960650_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="120" /></a> As the name implies, this apocalyptic story jumps back and forth between times after, before, and during the end time. The book is perhaps more a novella; it is a very quick read though well-written. I enjoyed the way the story was told and the end was intriguing. That said, I didn't really care for the details or plot of the story much because I felt most of it revolved around sex to restart the human population. WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-4590529752552427032013-09-21T14:44:00.002-05:002013-09-21T15:13:48.361-05:00Turn of the 19th Century True Crime<u>Skull in the Ashes</u> by Peter Kaufman <br />
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I really enjoyed this book. I feel it has four different parts. The book captured my interest right away. We read of the aftermath of the crime and the skull found in the ashes. Here, we meet the people of the small Iowa town where the crime took place. This was especially interesting to me since I am familiar with the area, but anyone interested in life at the turn of the 20th century would enjoy this book.</div>
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The second part of the book covers the manhunt for the suspect. This takes the reader all the way from small town Iowa to a mining town in the Yukon. It was incredible the lengths taken to arrest the suspect. In this part of the book, you also learn about private detectives and what their work was like in the 1890s. </div>
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Third comes the trial. All the evidence against the suspect was circumstantial, which would make a conviction from this trial groundbreaking. The interactions of large personalities and adept arguing were enjoyable. We also get a detailed look at the newspapers and journalism of this era. </div>
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<a href="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9781609381882_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Skull in the Ashes: Murder, a Gold Rush Manhunt, and the Birth of Circumstantial Evidence in America" border="0" height="400" src="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9781609381882_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="265" /></a> Lastly, we learn what prisons were like at the turn of the century. Again, local knowledge peaked my interest, but I was also fascinating to learn about the penal system at that time. I learned so much throughout this book while getting to enjoy "the chase".</div>
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There were so many new or relatively new advances that help lead to the conclusion of this mystery, including photography and telephones. Which the author discusses, but I most appreciated the way the author ended his book. He came back to remembering the victims in this crime, helping us to remember this was not just a thrilling manhunt and trial, but a tragedy, too.</div>
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I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history, true crime, or mystery, and those who want to get a slice of life from 1890s while being entertained.</div>
WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-83434621226655811492013-08-31T14:50:00.000-05:002013-08-31T14:50:11.626-05:00Irish Archaeology<br />
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<img alt="The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway Series #1)" height="200" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9780547386065_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="132" /></div>
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I love this topic. I've recently read two fiction books involving archaeology in Ireland.<br />
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<u>The Crossing Places</u> by Elly Giffith<br />
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I really like the main character is this book, Ruth Galloway. She's a bit overweight with unruly hair and a realistic sense of herself. I'm tired of reading books about pretty people and especially pretty people who don't think they're pretty. So I was pleased she wasn't a beauty. She is taken from her job at the university to determine whether a body found in the marshes near her home is ancient or possibly the remains of a girl who disappeared years ago. <br />
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Ruth is drawn into the mystery of the missing girl with Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson. They make a good team. The mystery allows us to learn about Ruth's past as a college student and professor. I enjoyed the book. The characters make some decision I wasn't happy with and the ending has a surprise that will take the series in a very different direction than I pictured. Despite this, I would recommended it and those interested in Ireland or archaeology should enjoy the Ruth Galloway Series.<br />
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<a href="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780743272100_p0_v2_s260x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Haunted Ground" border="0" height="200" src="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9780743272100_p0_v2_s260x420.jpg" width="130" /></a><u>Haunted Ground</u> by Erin Hart<br />
American Nora Gavin is taking a break from her professorship. She is lecturing in Ireland on ways to preserve ancient evidence especially that found in the bogs. When a head is found in a local bog, she joins the team led by Irish archaeologist Cormac Macguire to study the head. A nearby resident, Hugh Osborne, comes to the scene wondering if the body found belongs to his wife who disappeared with their child two years ago. <br />
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As the head is studied, Osborne hires Macguire to perform an archaeological survey on his property so he can build on the land. Macquire asked Gavin to help him. Gavin wants to discover what happened to Osborne's wife. She is haunted by the head who looked very similar to her sister who was murdered; and Gavin believes her sister's husband was the one who killed her. She goes back in forth in her suspicions of Osborne in the disappearance of his wife and child.<br />
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I found it a bit hard to like the Osborne family and care about what happened to Hugh Osborne's wife, but the story was interesting. It served as a good plot to get Macguire and Gavin together so that we can enjoy more archaeological forensic mysteries investigated by this duo.<br />
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<br />WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-53492217605091284442013-05-02T07:46:00.002-05:002013-05-02T07:46:39.215-05:00Back At ItI'm coming back to my blog. I has stopped because I was using GoodReads and posting my comments and ratings on my GoodReads page. However, now that Amazon has purchased GoodReads, I'm not going to participate. So, I'm going to start posting reviews on my blog again.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-21283123333228833302012-10-17T20:49:00.002-05:002012-10-17T20:53:55.968-05:00The End of the Story<u>No Other Story</u> by Dr. Cuthbert Soup<br />
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This was a satisfying ending the the <a href="http://weaverreview.blogspot.com/2011/03/riotous-laughter-but-not-twaddle.html" target="_blank">"Whole Nother Story"</a> trilogy. It contains the same wackiness wrapped in a witty, well-written world. While this was probably my least favorite of the three books, it was really funny like the others and it contains great vocabulary and serves as a good model of writing well. <br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/185880000/185881017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="No Other Story" border="0" class="product-image image img book " data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="200" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1350524859891_838" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/185880000/185881017.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>
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I have only seen poor or luke-warm reviews for this book, but don't be misled. If you liked the first book, you'll love the ending of the story. If your kiddos like goofy yet very clever humor then this is a great trilogy to read.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-76494537134179257412012-10-17T20:42:00.001-05:002012-10-17T20:42:06.403-05:00Accidents Can Hurt and Hurt Can Heal<br />
<u>Because of Mr. Terupt</u> by Ron Buyea<br />
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This was a good book about bullying and treating your classmates nicely, but not preachy at all. The story is told in the voices of 7 kids in Mr. Terupt's class. The kids are united because of an accident.<br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/111110000/111110643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Because of Mr. Terupt" border="0" class="product-image image img book " data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="200" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1350524367820_986" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/111110000/111110643.jpg" width="135" /></a>I wouldn't let my elementary kids read this book because I think there is some rather mature material covered in the lives of the students. One child's mother got pregnant when she was 16 and was kicked out of her family. Another student's parents don't want her to play with this girl because her mom had her when she was 16 and unwed. I don't want my kids trying to puzzle all of that out, but for other kids that may be their reality, so it wouldn't be new to them. This would be an outstanding book for teens who cannot read well. (I come across that question often at the bookstore.)<br />
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A second book is coming out in a few months, and I will probably read it. haven't read <u>Wonder</u> by Palacio, yet, but hearing from others who've read both if you liked it, I think you will like this book, too.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-45817297586666212482012-10-01T01:13:00.003-05:002012-10-01T01:15:13.805-05:00The Book is the Real Deal!<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/179510000/179518710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" border="0" class="product-image image img book " data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="400" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1349071968402_1432" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/179510000/179518710.JPG" width="265" /></a> This book wasn't what I was expecting but it was quite good. I would recommend it to pretty much... everyone. The story is Budo's, Max's imaginary friend. Budo is six-years-old which is ancient for an imaginary friend. Budo helps Max, who seems to have autism though his parents are really sure what's going on with him. Budo spends a lot of time worrying about the day when Max will forget about him and he will not exist anymore. Max ends up in trouble and Budo needs to find a way to help him, but what if helping Max will mean the end to Budo? I enjoyed the idea of a story from the viewpoint of an imaginary friend. (Arna you will always be in my heart.) And I enjoyed the autism angle in the story as well. Even though the mystery may seems pulled from a TV crime show (perhaps on purpose) I cared enough about the characters and wondered how in the world things would work out that I was very anxious to keep reading the book and to finish it. I liked this book. I'm very glad the author wrote it.<br />
One small qualm I have with the book happens when the story talks about teachers who really teach (the good ones) and teachers who just play school (the bad ones). The comment is made that teachers who use charts and sticker sheets just pretend to teach school. As many times as I've seen those types of things work for kids, most on the autism spectrum, I don't think that was an accurate statement to include in the book especially when one of the main characters has autism. <br />
But I really loved that The Tale of Despereaux is mentioned. And I love on page 253, when Budo talks about how brave he thinks Max is because kids make fun of him, people try to change him, everyone tries to make him into a normal boy but no one treats him like a normal boy. It was really touching for me thinking about my own boy. Then he sums it up with this (I hope I don't get in trouble for quoting this), "But you have to be the bravest person in the world to go out every day, being yourself when no one likes who you are." I can relate to that. And I wish I was braver. And I very much admire my sons.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-73697195306149404952012-09-04T03:33:00.000-05:002012-09-04T03:33:39.160-05:00Don't Like This Book? You're Dead Wrong<u>The Graveyard Book</u> by Neil Gaiman<br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/118030000/118033597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Graveyard Book" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1346747456242_1777" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/118030000/118033597.JPG" /></a>Someone once described this Newbery Award and Hugo Award winning book to me as <u>The Jungle Book</u> (Rudyard Kipling) except instead of a boy raised in a jungle by animals, it's a boy raised in a graveyard by ghosts. I have to admit that I'm only familiar with the Disney version of <u>The Jungle Book</u>, but I think it is an accuarte description. That description (despite so many people's glowing reviews) also made me skip over the book since I knew the plot and I'm not much for ghosts. <br />
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With limited choices for audio books for a trip, I grabbed <u>The Graveyard Book</u>. My husband and son loved it, so I said I would read it. I'm glad my husband encouraged me to listen to the audio version. I think listening to Neil Gaiman read the book greatly improved the experience. The voices, suspense, and the accent to remind me "we're in England" added a lot.<br />
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The book is incredible. Read it, or perhaps even better have Neil Gaiman read it to you.<br />
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<a href="http://weaverreview.blogspot.com/2012/08/reviews-from-blogger-rathern-than-booker.html" target="_blank">(My husband's review of the book)</a><br />
WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-53637946635158680572012-08-30T21:56:00.001-05:002012-08-30T21:56:17.947-05:00Another Side to World War II<u>Weedflower</u> by Cynthia Kadohata<br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/102540000/102542118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Weedflower" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="320" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1346381741410_1867" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/102540000/102542118.jpg" width="214" /></a>This is a fantastic book about a young Japanese American girl, Sumiko, who is sent to an interment camp in Arizona during WWII. The internment camp is located on an Indian Reservation. Through the fence the young girl and and a Native American boy befriend each other. They each find a way to stay strong and have hope even as so much is taken away from them. As bad as Sumiko thinks she has, she learns the Indians do not even have electricity or the right to vote. <br />
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Though this book covers difficult topics, it is handled with hope. I think these are also topics important for young people to know about. They need to know how people were mistreated so it can be ended and not repeated. This is just a really great book for youth and adults alike.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-46700068249417281092012-08-20T12:22:00.000-05:002012-08-20T12:22:18.745-05:00Exciting New and Upcoming ReleasesMysteries According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney 7-5-12<br />
Winter According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney 10-11-12<br />
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Unstrung (ebook novella after Unwind) by Neal Shusterman 7-24-12<br />
UnWholly (2nd in Unwind Triology) by Neal Shusterman 8-28-12<br />
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Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken by Tarquin Hall 7-10-12<br />
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Palace of Stone (sequel to Princess Academy) by Shannon Hale 8-21-12<br />
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The Manual of Aeronautics (supplement to Leviathan Trilogy) by Scott Westerfeld 8-21-12<br />
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The Kill Order (prequel to Maze Runner Series) by James Dashner 8-14-12<br />
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WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-42151108170790371162012-08-19T13:30:00.002-05:002012-08-19T13:30:28.543-05:00Reviews from Blogger (rathern than Booker)<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/147950000/147951937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/147950000/147951937.JPG" /></a><strong>"Holes":</strong> I had seen the movie based on this Louis Sachar
book, but David really wanted to listen to this one on our trip to Kansas City
so we gave it a go. With only 4 discs, it was a quick listen and one that David
and I enjoyed.<br /><br />Stanley Yelnants is an unlucky kid. After being accused
and convicted of a crime he didn't commit, Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake.
Upon arrival he first discovers there's no lake, then he meets Mr. Sir, who
informs him that he is to dig 1 hole, every day. The hole must be as deep and
as wide as his shovel, which happens to be 5 feet. As an overweight kid, this
is arduous work for Stanley. Almost as difficult is finding his place with his
bunk mates. Over time, Stanley gets better at digging holes, and befriends
Zero. When Zero runs away, Stanley goes after him, but with no water or food,
how long will the boys survive, and will they break the curse that has haunted
Stanley's family for over a hundred years.<br /><br />"Holes" the book, is very
similar to "Holes" the movie. There's a bit more on the back story of Green
Lake and it's inhabitants, as well as the back story on the Warden. But, if
you've seen the movie, you pretty much know the book. Still, if you liked to
movie, I think listening to or reading the book would be worth your time.<br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/118030000/118033590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/118030000/118033590.JPG" /></a><strong>"The Graveyard Book":</strong> I don't use this term often, but
this Neil Gaiman book is great, not good...great! I suspect it was even better
because we listened to the audio book, read by Gaiman himself. Such an
interesting and compelling story, I couldn't wait to hear what came
next.<br /><br />At the beginning of the story, we happen upon The Man Jack as he's
in the process of murdering a family (trust me it's ok for an 11 year old kid).
But, he fails in his task as the youngest boy, a toddler, somehow wanders off
before The Man Jack can complete the job. They young boy wanders up to a nearby
graveyard, where it's ghostly inhabitants give the young boy the freedom of the
graveyard and decide to raise him as their own. They name him Nobody Owens
(after the Owens family who takes him in), and the mysterious Silas agrees to be
his guardian. But how can a live boy grow up in a place of the dead? And what
will happen if he ever leaves the graveyard with The Man Jack still out there,
ready to finish the job?<br /><br />I loved this story. It's so interesting to meet
the various inhabitants of the graveyard, some dating back even farther than
Roman times, and it's interesting to see the influence they have on young Bod
(Nobody gets shortened to Bod). Bod's forays into the living world make for
some excitement, and the secondary story about Silas keeps mystery going all
throughout the book. I highly recommend giving this one a read, or even better,
a listen.<br />WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-60027698277421184152012-08-19T13:24:00.002-05:002012-08-19T18:43:58.247-05:00Peter Pan's Past PlusBooker's Review<br />
<u>Peter and the Starcatchers</u> (Starcatchers Series #1) by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson<br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/103220000/103229695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Peter and the Starcatchers (Starcatchers Series #1)" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="400" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1345396002345_2552" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/103220000/103229695.jpg" width="269" /></a>I had avoided this book for a long time, even though the artwork was very appealing and customers asked for the book often. I'm not much of a Peter Pan fan and didn't want to read a retelling of the story. When trying to decide from a limited choice of audio books to take on our long car trip, we settled on <u>Peter and the Starcatchers</u>. I was very pleasantly surprised. (It doesn't hurt that the audio book is read by Jim Dale.)<br />
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The story is really a prequel to the Peter Pan most are familiar with. It is fun to follow the story as different elements of Peter Pan's past are revealed such as how he can fly, how he came to be in Neverland, how he met Tinkerbell, and more. <br />
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The story is interesting on it's own as well. The authors did a good job of adding their own plot to the story so the book is much more than a revelation of Peter Pan's past. We are introduced to the Starcatchers. These people gather the left over remains of fallen stars and secret it away into safe keeping. The remnants retain powerful magic that anyone with an evil intention could use to rule or destroy the world. This first book has a nice conclusion while still leaving the reader anticipating what more is to come.<br />
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There's one more thing I liked about this book that I have to mention. I have never liked the way the Indians are portrayed in the Disney Peter Pan movie. With all these "re-mastered" and :now available in 3-D" announcements, I thought they'd come out with "new scenes" for Peter Pan and fix the awful sterotypical and racist portrayal of the natives in the movie. There's no way they could have portrayed African natives that stupid or stereotypical and have kept it like that this entire time. There would have been an outrage. Anyway, I really liked how the native people are portrayed in the book. They are not perfect, no one in the story is, but they are not stupid and they are not friends with the people they view have threatened them. I really appreciated their role in the story.<br />
<br />
<br />
Blogger's Review<br />
<strong>"Peter and the Starcatchers":</strong> This was a really good story by
Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. What Barry and Pearson have done is kick off a
series that tells us all the origin of Peter Pan.<br />
<br />
Peter and 4 other
orphans are being sent away from their orphanage for unknown reasons. They are
told by their caretaker to board a ship called The Neverland, but they don't
know why. On the ship, the boys are treated very poorly, and as the leader of
the group, Peter takes to stealing food to make sure the boys have enough to
eat. It's on these food missions that Peter comes to know Molly, and they
embark on an adventure to secure a chest of "star stuff" (the little bits of a
star that falls to the earth and grants powers to the user), and keep this chest
from falling into the hands of the Evil Black Stash. Along the way, we find out
how Peter gains the ability to fly, how he doesn't grow old, and how he and the
lost boys end up on that island. Oh, and we meet Captain Hook for the first
time.<br />
<br />
I really liked this story! I'm hoping to read others in the series
soon. There's humor and plenty of action, and it's all offset with a story of
friendship and loss. Just a really good book.<br />
<br />WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-16478097989290827582012-08-12T14:24:00.001-05:002012-08-19T13:36:44.013-05:00Didn't Find This Book Very Happenin'Booker's Review<br />
<u>Happenstance Found</u> (Books of Umber Series #1) by P. W. Catanese<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/101450000/101451572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Happenstance Found (Books of Umber Series #1)" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="200" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1344799384012_1914" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/101450000/101451572.jpg" width="134" /></a>I hate writing that I didn't enjoy a book because I could never right a book. And sometimes people don't like a book that is actually really good. So keep that in mind as you read this review.<br />
<br />
Happenstance is found in a dark room without any memory of who he is or how he came to be there. Lord Umber received a secret message to keep the boy with him at all times. Why remains a mystery for the entire book. A creature is chasing Happenstance to collect Hap's unusual eyes. As the story goes along, we learn a little more about Happenstance's origins and who Lord Umber really is. Yet, I found the story revealed too little over too long a time. There is an exciting confrontation with the hunting creature at the end and a stunning surprise to entice you into reading the second book in the trilogy; however things developed much too slowly for me.<br />
<br />
I should also say that I listened to this book all in one sitting riding in the car. This may have influenced my reception of the book.<br />
<br />
Kids who enjoy fantasy and mystery, who like to try to figure out things on their own or imagine lots of possibilities, I think, would enjoy this book.<br />
<br />
Blogger's Review<br />
<strong>"Happenstance Found":</strong> I was really excited to listen to this audio book, and since this book
is the first in a series, I thought maybe I'd have my next great series to
read. Instead, "Happenstance Found" was slow to develop and really didn't leave
me wanting to read more of the Books of Umber series.<br />
<br />
P.W. Catanese has a
really neat idea here. Happenstance is a boy, we don't know exactly how old,
found in a buried city by Lord Umber and his band. Happenstance is different in
that he has bright green eyes, can see in the dark, and seems to possess a few
other abilities. As they return to Lord Umber's home, we learn that something
is following them, and it's not good. The rest of the tale takes place in and
around Lord Umber's home, and we learn a little more about Happenstance, where
he came from, and we find out more about Lord Umber. <br />
<br />
A neat premise,
but it just didn't move fast enough for me. I don't plan to read any more
books in this series.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-34935869818905087052012-08-12T14:17:00.001-05:002012-08-12T14:17:23.871-05:00This Book is a Winner<u>Gold</u> by Chris Cleave<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/177150000/177159756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Gold" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1344797918450_1782" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/177150000/177159756.JPG" /></a>Zoe, Kate, and Jack all meet at the age of 19 at a tryout for spots on Britain's elite cycling circuit with the goal of winning Olympic gold. But when the Athens Olympics come around, Kate is at home with her daughter while Zoe and Jack race for gold in Athen's velodrome. The three are still racing and still trying to balance rivalry and friendship two years before the Olympic Games in London. Love and friendship are never simple, but the relationship Zoe and Kate have reaches some extremely complex emotions and lessons in love.<br />
<br />
As you would expect, Cleave has written a fantastic poignant story. He leaps about in time, but never loses his reader. And this makes the stories much better than telling the tale chronologically. The story moved me and made me think.<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the cycling aspect of this story. However, it is never really technical and I don't think there is any loss of enjoyment reading this book if you've never seen indoor cycling or even if you've never ridden a bike. I highly recommend this book.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-78384430646548698412012-08-10T19:56:00.004-05:002012-08-10T19:57:06.666-05:00A Tale of Two Tails<u>The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale</u> by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/118180000/118181256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1344645315723_2252" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/118180000/118181256.JPG" /></a>I really enjoyed this book. I guess I can't get tired of books about small rodents. Skilley, a closet cheese-loving cat, has struggled living on the streets of London, but on this day, he finds himself, with a little help from Charles Dickens, accepted into the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese to help with a mouse problem. Skilley is not interested in ridding the tavern of mice; he just wants some cheese. He makes a deal with the mouse, Pip, not to attack any of the mice if they will supply him with cheese. Skilley and Pip's friendship grows as does Charles Dickens's writer's block on <u>A Tale of Two Cities</u>. A hidden creature and an alley cat, Pinch, Skilley's most feared enemy, complicate matters in the Ol Cheshire, eventually bringing more trouble to the unlikely friends. I don't want to give manny details because I don't want to give all the story away. So much more happens in the story. It's full of surprises and twists. <br />
<br />
The vocabulary is impressive. The focus on friendship is also very inspiring, something I think middle school readers would absorb and appreciate. There are several references to Charles Dickens, London, and the English Royalty that I don't know if many kids would pick up on if they weren't familiar with these topics. (I don't know if I picked up on all of them. For example, I didn't realize the tavern is an actual place where many English writers gathered.) I think this would make an excellent read-aloud for school classrooms and at home. I listened to this book on CD, but reviews I saw said the pencil illustrations by Barry Moser, are superb. This is really an intriguing story well worth the read. Perhaps you can enjoy a nip of cheese or cup of tea while you read.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-37338938542880224872012-08-02T10:35:00.000-05:002012-08-02T10:40:01.983-05:00America Rewrite Your History Books--the Irish Do It Again!!<u>The Brendan Voyage</u> by Tim Severin<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/102180000/102183701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Brendan Voyage" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1343920210689_1282" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/102180000/102183701.jpg" /></a>A medieval text leads to a fantastic journey chronicled in <u>The Brendan Voyage</u>. According to the medieval text, St. Brendan and some fellow Irish monks, sailed to North America centuries before Columbus and before the Vikings. I was interested in reading this book based on personal recommendations, my Irish ancestry and my Lakota ancestry which, I think, gives me a predetermined dislike for Christopher Columbus. <br />
<br />
Tim Severin sets out to silence skeptics by replicating St. Brendan's voyage. (He is no stranger to replicating other explorers journeys as can be seen in his other books.) Severin locates the same type of wood and leather St. Brendan used to make his boat. The ox hides are tanned using the same methods employed to make St. Brendan's boat. Even flax rope is used for the stitches to hold the ox hides together. There is no doubt that boat is an authentic copy of St. Brendan's boat. If the crew can make it across the Atlantic, they will have proven how plausible the medieval texts are. <br />
<br />
It is an interesting book. Without any knowledge of sailing, I was still able to get a picture of what was going on to build and sail the boat. Yet, I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I was more familiar with sailing terms. There are times of wonder and danger aboard <em>The Brendan</em>.<br />
<br />
I especially liked the end of the book when Severin does a great job of summarizing what the voyage teaches us about the knowledge, strength, and faith of the Irish and the spirit of the human being.<br />
<br />
St. Brendan is described as one of Ireland's most beloved saints. I feel bad I had never heard of him. <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/brendan-voyage?keyword=brendan+voyage&store=allproducts&iehack=%E2%98%A0" target="_blank">While looking</a> for <u>The Brendan Voyage</u> if found an historical novel about St. Brendan by Morgan Lleywelyn, a proven author, and children's book, <u>Saint Brendan and the Voyage Before </u>Columbus, by Michael McGrew, and a musical CD based on St. Brendan's voyage by Shaun Davey.<br />
<br />WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-46217053252937249412012-07-22T20:36:00.000-05:002012-07-22T20:36:05.166-05:00Austen + James=Great Story<u>Death Comes to Pemberley</u> by P. D. James<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/141640000/141647725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Death Comes to Pemberley" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="200" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1343007229125_1933" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/141640000/141647725.JPG" width="138" /></a>I liked this book. I think James did an excellent job of writing in the Austen style. The characters stay true to who they were formed by Austen to be, but the mystery spun by James is adds a wonderful component to Pemberley. Probably, my favorite part of this book, was actually the Epilogue. Darcy and Elizabeth spend time sharing with each other, the thoughts they were having during their unorthodox courtship. I liked hearing the gaps filled in.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-17397197374004021632012-07-18T20:31:00.001-05:002012-07-18T20:31:10.152-05:00All the Elements of a Good Book<u>The Disappearing Spoon</u> by Sam Kean<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/144110000/144114549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1342660445075_2834" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/144110000/144114549.JPG" /></a>I am a huge fan of the periodic table! However lame that may sound, it's true. The periodic table rocks (and it still would even if it wasn't made up mostly of rocks). As soon as this book came out, I bought...on my nook and started reading it. Then life showed up, and it was so much cheaper for me to buy books with my discount, I rarely used my nook and my memory of the book disappeared just like a spoon made of gallium. Then I saw Sam Kean was coming for an author visit. I reproached myself for not having read the book yet. Some fan I was.<br />
<br />
But, I did read it. And, I did love it! The book is full of stories about each of the elements. You learn about the periodic table and the elements, but you learn about them from interesting anecdotes and stories. The side notes are just as enjoyable as the main text. This is now one of my most favorite books, perhaps even my most favorite non-fiction book.<br />
<br />
Not only are the stories engaging, Sam Kean has a scholarly wit in his writing. At least, that 's the best way I can think to describe it. An example, though, comes to mind from his newest book, out yesterday, <u>The Violinist's Thumb</u>. When Kean describes the copying of DNA in the cell, he introduces the image of tiny monks transcribing away within the cell. It's those types of images and thoughts that takes <u>The Disappearing Spoon</u> from being good to being great. I'm very excited to read his next book. And it's not going to be in a year. Now that I know how well he writes, his next book will be read as fast as my thumbs can turn the pages.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-37570815569035205682012-07-14T20:23:00.001-05:002012-07-14T20:23:40.255-05:00The Old is New<br />
<u>Absolution by Murder</u> (One Sister Fidelma Mysteries) by Peter Tremayne<br />
<u>Shroud for the Arch Bishop</u> (Two Sister Fidelma Mysteries) by Peter Tremayne<br />
<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
I have thoroughly enjoyed learning ancient history with my kids as we homeschool. Since I'm Irish, I really enjoyed the time we spent on the Celts and the early Irish Monks. I also love mysteries. So, to me, a mystery series taking place in the 7th century focusing on an Irish nun sounds like the perfect book. This series has been around for a long time, but I just recently discovered it. </div>
<br />
<br />
In the first book, <u>Absolution by Murder</u>, we meet Sister Fidelma, an advocate for the Brehon court giving her investigative and judicial authority, and Brother Eadulf, a Roman monk from a family of magistrates. The King of Northumbria has called a conference to finally decide whether his kingdom with follow the Columba Liturgy or the Roman Liturgy. A murder take place. In order to ensure peace between both sides, Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf are ordered to investigate together. As the religious' chance to catch the killer dwindles, the chance of war grows rapidly.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed the book. The author does a good job of helping readers understand the culture and politics of the period without tedium or complication. You don't need to be familiar with ancient history to enjoy this book. The plot is not overly complex, but the story is enjoyable. I hoped for better books as the series progressed.<br />
<br />
In the second book, Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf again must pair up to solve a murder to prevent fighting between the Celtic and Roman Christian communities. In the previous book, the two religious sometimes verbally sparred or let fall a terse comment, but both took it with some patience and understanding. I felt in the second book, Sister Fidelma just came off like a condescending jerk and Brother Eadulf like her lapdog. I didn't see it as verbal sparring as it is once referred to in the book. I was quite disappointed. <br />
<br />
There are over twenty books in this series. So, I imagine things must get better and the cattiness of Sister Fidelma is tempered. Many of the early books are out-of-print but are available as ebooks.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Absolution by Murder (Sister Fidelma Series #1)" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Search%20Results%20grid%22%2C%221%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%2C%22LinkedImage%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="LinkedImage" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1342315206756_1392" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/147970000/147979808.JPG" /><img alt="Shroud for the Archbishop: A Sister Fidelma Mystery" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Search%20Results%20grid%22%2C%228%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%2C%22LinkedImage%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="LinkedImage" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1342315296921_910" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/170790000/170797741.JPG" />WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-1372798715475142912012-07-14T19:54:00.000-05:002012-07-14T20:23:23.170-05:00Such a Good Book I'm Sad<u>Insurgent</u> by Veronica Roth (<a href="http://weaverreview.blogspot.com/2012/06/is-being-brave-selfless-is-being.html" target="_blank">Divergen</a>t Series #2)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/165550000/165553266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Insurgent (Divergent Series #2)" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="200" id="yui_3_5_1_1_1342313350194_1978" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/165550000/165553266.JPG" width="132" /></a>I read Insurgent over the past few days, staying up until all hours of the morning because I couldn't/wouldn't stop. It was so good, that now, I feel depressed. I want to feel that excitement and suspense and the pure joy of reading a book I love, and I don't know what book to turn to for that experience now.<br />
<br />
I do have some good books waiting to read and so I press on, but I'm not expecting them to be anything close to the experience I had reading Insurgent.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-66782004595129264242012-07-08T21:44:00.002-05:002012-07-08T21:45:16.097-05:00Fairy Tale Books for BoysI've been gone travelling, so I've not posted for quite a while. I didn't get as many new books read and I thought, but it was a good thing. I finally got my boys into the Sisters Grimm series. I made them listen to the first book in the car and they were hooked.<br />
<br />
I've got a book I read a while ago and should have blogged about before this and a new book to blog about, too.<br />
<br />
<u>A Tale Dark and Grimm</u> by Adam Gidwitz<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/103140000/103141962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="A Tale Dark and Grimm" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1341800708138_2744" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/103140000/103141962.jpg" style="position: relative; top: -0.47px;" /></a>I had looked at this book when if first came out and dismissed it as a book that could be good, but I didn't want to read. Quite a while ago, I needed and audio book for a trip, so I picked it up hoping my boys wouldn't complain. Boy did they love it!<br />
<br />
The main characters, Hansel and Gretel, are followed through their Grimm tale. But then, they are also the characters in other Grimm tales. It's like one long story but I could recognize some of the tales they were in. It was a very clever idea and done very well. This is a great book for boys. The narrator warns you that the Grimm tales used in the book are not cuddly, Disney fairy tales. They are the genuine gruesome Grimm fairly tales. The narrator also pauses throughout the book to warn the reader that a very scary, or graphic, or bloody scene is coming up, so anyone with young siblings listening should make sure they leave the room. My boys absolutely loved this. I've written before about how much I think kids can benefit from fairy tale adventures, so I won't go on about that. I'm thankful this book exists and gives boys (and girls, too) a great option for a fairy tale adventure.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom</u> by Christopher Healy<br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/161220000/161228364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1341801146577_1385" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/161220000/161228364.JPG" style="position: relative; top: -0.47px;" /></a>I just finished this new book. I loved it!!!!! The bards have entertained us all with the tales of Prince Charming and Cinderella, Prince Charming and Sleeping Beauty, Prince Charming and Rapunzel, and Prince Charming and Snow White. If you ask the Sisters Grimm {Buckley} they are all the same guy, but here, they are four different princes. The bards didn't have the decency to include the princes' names in the stories! We are introduced to each prince and his story (after the bard's story). They are not the Charmings you may have thought they were, and the princesses may not be the ladies you thought <strong>they</strong> were. Through magic luck, or coincidence, the four princes find themselves together and together try to save the kingdom from a witch who's also miffed about the inaccuracy of a bard's tale. This story is full of adventure, humor, and the meaning of friendship. I kept trying to think how I could describe this book. I think the best way I can do that is to say it's like The Princess Bride (movie at least). It has real action and suspense, but it also have some really spoofy humor that fits right in with the story. The book also contains wonderful illustrations most presented as Figure 1, Figure 2, etc. to help elucidate the handbook. I really really enjoyed this book. It ended with the opportunity for more to come, and I sure hope there is. This is a book that should not be missed.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-72037729397458713712012-06-26T22:20:00.001-05:002012-07-18T20:31:39.567-05:00Can you Catch a Microbe Killer?<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/113870000/113871451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Deadly" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" height="320" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1340766603262_2093" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/113870000/113871451.JPG" style="position: relative; top: -0.48px;" width="212" /></a><u>Deadly</u> by Julie Chibbaro<br />
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Another great teen historical fiction novel. It's told in a series of journal entries including penned drawings. <br />
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Prudence is an intelligent and curious teen living in the beginning of the twentieth century. She has a mind for science and experience with death. She is given the rare chance to work at a laboratory (as a secretary) where she gets pulled into a medical investigation of a deadly outbreak in New York City. Prudence gets to help track a killer. But is it a person or a microbe to be considered the killer? <br />
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I enjoyed the way this book was written. I enjoyed the medical history and mystery included in the book. It was wonderful to experience the growth Prudence goes through and the way she heals her heart.<br />
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This book won the 2011 National Jewish Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature. It is a unique book to find for Young Adult readers.WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-83675575988758769622012-06-17T15:09:00.006-05:002012-06-17T15:09:56.471-05:00Case for Christ for the Intellect<u>The Christ Connection:</u> How the World Religions Prepared the Way for the Phenomenon of Christ by Roy Abraham Varghese<br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/119790000/119797194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Christ Connection: How the World Religions Prepared the Way for the Phenomenon of Jesus" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" data-bn-cache="%7B%22values%22%3A%5B%22Product%20Image%22%2C%22Hero%20Product%22%2C%22ProductImageMain%22%5D%2C%22isPageAware%22%3Atrue%2C%22nodes%22%3A%5B%5D%7D" data-bntrack="ProductImageMain" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1339963498333_1470" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/119790000/119797194.JPG" style="position: relative; top: -0.48px;" /></a>This was a good book. Not exactly what I was expecting, but I'm glad I read it. I thought it was going to be more about the connection other religions share with Christ than it was. That <strong>was</strong> covered and it was very interesting, yet the majority of the book then branched from there and talked about evidence that points to the truth of Christ and His Resurrection. Nearly every, if not all, proposed arguments against Christ was detailed and then logic/proof was given to refute each of the arguments. The book is well researched and well written. It is not a quick read and nor a book easily skimmed. The reader needs to be invested in the book, which isn't a bad thing.<br />
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I <strong>do</strong> enjoy my nook, however, this is one book I wished I had not read on my nook. I didn't realize there would be several tables in the book. These were difficult to read and follow on my Simple Touch nook. It was also difficult to refer back to things which I really wish I could have done more easily.<br />
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This is a very interesting book for those who want a serious read about the truth of Christ and His follower's claims, as well as for those who would like to have ready arguments for the scholarly atheists in their life.<br />
<br />WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2649467492429223253.post-89398829002052479922012-06-06T16:23:00.000-05:002012-06-06T16:23:06.492-05:00Plan on an Interesting Read<u>unPLANNED</u> by Abby Johnson<br />
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/89940000/89940685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Unplanned : The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-opening Journey Across the Life Line" border="0" class="product-image image img book product-expand-view" height="200" id="yui_3_3_0_1_1339017540796_901" itemprop="image" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/89940000/89940685.JPG" width="136" /></a> This book is the story of Abby Johnson's experience volunteering at, working for, and running a large Planned Parenthood Clinic. Her goal was to help young woman (and perhaps ease some of her own guilt). People from Coalition for Life (founders of 40 Days for Life) are ever-present outside the fence of the clinic, so Abby has come to know them and they know her, but she also knows they don't understand what she really does or why it's important she does it. But, eventually, Abby comes to know what it is she's truly doing and what it is those above her in the organization care about. After helping in a procedure by performing an ultrasound, Abby realizes she shouldn't and can't keep doing her job at Planned Parenthood. Now what? Abby Johnson has to make a difficult and important decision that will have a huge impact on the safety of her family--financially, physically and spiritually. <br />
Abby Johnson is very honest in her book, relating the path in her life that lead her to Planned Parenthood and then lead her away from there and home to the Coalition for Life offices. Abby Johnson is also fair and compassionate; no one is presented as saint or villain. I'm very glad I read this book. I found it exteremely interesting to read about an insider's experience in Planned Parenthood. I also think this book is good for everyone to read no matter where you stand on the abortion issue. There are things everyone can learn from Abby's journey.<br />
<br />WEaVER REViEWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09442335336076985799noreply@blogger.com0