This is another book I was able to read on NetGalley. I do like being able to get books from them even though I still prefer print books.
Max is the son of two famous stage actors. When his parents receive a mysterious letter inviting them to preform exclusively in India. Unfortunately they only receive two tickets. While Max is told a ticket will be waiting for him at the dock he finds that a boat (not the right one) has already left (early) with his parents on it.
Max goes back to his grandmother's house and together they try to piece together the mysterious letter left by Max's father. Max also has to find a way to support himself and finds that he has a knack for solving problems. In the course of the book he figures out why people are interested in his house, finds a missing dog, finds a missing antique spoon and as a result sets things right in an old family and helps a young woman get back on her feet. Because he is the son of actors Max is good at disguises which helps him become a solutioner.
This was a fun read. There were several threads running throughout that connected and were solved by the end. The biggest mystery, that of his parent's disappearance, is only partially solved. For that, readers will have to wait for the sequel.
I enjoyed this book...ribbit....
This novel is based on the premise that there was an incident during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The story begins with the sirens blaring and the family headed down to their shelter. There are the only family on the block that has built a shelter and soon their shelter built for 4 becomes filled with 10 and there are more outside trying to get in.
The next chapter goes back to the previous June when the family first considers building a shelter.
The rest of the book alternates back and forth between the time spent in the shelter - without enough food and water because it was only built for 4, with the mom injured, and with even racial tensions - and then the other chapters slowly move up to the date in October.
I enjoyed the book quite a bit....read it in one sitting. My main concern is that the boys in the book discussed Playboy and spying to see girl's breasts - you know before the end of the world and all. I am sure it is realistic to the age group of boys in the book but I currently am at a grade 1 - 5 school and I don't think I can put it into the library.
Ribbit....because I enjoyed it.
How could I possibly have anything bad to say about a nonfiction work by Russell Freedman? As usual Freedman did the research and came up with an interesting, readable, and even at times surprising biography of Ben Franklin. I am not sure how many biographies of Ben Franklin I have in my library but I can make room for this one. With the advent of Common Core students will be asked to be more thorough in their reading and critiques. Students can take this biography and compare and contrast to others. Students can also look at the back matter to see how Freedman did and documented his research.
I though this was very well done.
Ribbit...
I had already heard some buzz about this book so I was excited to get a copy for review for the Maine Student Book Award.
Annie has three wished for the summer - get tall, have an adventure, and meet her father. She has had the same wishes for years but she hasn't gotten taller, nothing like the Iran Hostage Crisis would ever happen in her town, and her dad is dead. Everything changes one night after a riot at a nearby prison. One of the escapees comes to her house to hide. This is of course where the author takes the reader on an adventure - the escaped prisoner is Annie's father. Is that too much of a coincidence? Too unbelievable? At first I was concerned...really, that's just too much....but, the way things are explained and unfold it does make sense.
I enjoyed the book quite a bit and actually read it in a few hours - which was pretty remarkable considering I am recovering from spleen surgery and sitting for a few hours isn't the most comfortable...but I liked it.
Ribbit...
Capitalizing on the popularity of the Origami Yoda books, Tom Angleberger serves up this geat how to book. Using the same style and characters as the series Angleberger presents short sections on how to doodle, draw, fold, and create all sorts of things - both Star Wars related and beyond.
I actually picked this book up shortly after it came out for my students at a Scholastic Warehouse Sale and they ate it up. I received another copy to review as part of the Maine Student Book Award committee and this copy with go to my other school where it will also be eaten up. Origami has always been a big draw at my school and combined with the series this book has gotten a lot of love.
Well done...
Ribbit...
I was really excited to get this book from NetGalley and despite my discomfort from recent spleen removal I devoured this book last night and this morning.
Cat hasn't been the same since the fall from a tree while bird watching left her with a concussion. When her family hears about an institute in the Florida Everglades that helps children with concussions they decide to send her. When Cat arrives she meets Quentin, Ben,and Sarah and hears about two other patients named Trent and Kaylee. Everything seems great at first - the medicines help her headaches and the other kids are nice. But, then Cat overhears some disturbing conversations and begins to wonder if things are too good to be true.
This book was full of suspense and action appropriate for middle schoolers. There is some reference to drugs and obviously some shady dealings but the kids group together to solve the mystery of what is going on.
It was interesting how this book and Menace From the Deep both took place in the Everglades and both dealt with scientific experiments gone wrong or at least done for the wrong reasons. It would be interesting to pair these 2 new books with a study of the Everglades.
I enjoyed this book!! Ribbit...
