The Dyerville Tales

 

I was pleasantly surprised by this one.  Although it was long - 330 pages I read it rather quickly.  It tells the story of Vince - an orphan who finds out that his grandfather has died when he receives a letter and a book called The Dyerville Tales which is supposed to be his grandfather's story.  Vince runs away from the orphanage to attend his grandfather's funeral and along the way has many adventures.  Also along the way he reads his grandfather's story.

I loved how the two stories alternated and the action and adventure of both.  This was a good one...

A Plague of Bogles

 

First off, I did not know this was a sequel when I requested it on NetGalley.  There was obviously some plot point - aka Jem's history with Sarah (Sal) that I was lacking and some background with Birdie but otherwise the story was okayt without having read the first book.

In this book Jem is the main apprentice to Mr. Bunce as he kills bogles.  Something is strange about the bogles - never before have there been so many all in one place.  The cast of characters set out to not only kill the bogles but figure out why there is a plague of them.

I enjoyed this book - some tense moments, friendships, and a bit of a mystery.  It was a bit gory in that so many children died and especially when it was discovered what Sarah was up to.

Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail

 

Lovin me some Kate Messner - she is so versatile.  Love that she can write good books for the younger end like this and more complex books as well.  This was a lot of fun - time traveling dog, Oregon Trail - how can you go wrong ;0

Eddie Red Undercover: Mystery on Museum Mile

 

I was pleasantly surprised by this one.  Eddie has a photographic memory and the police ask for his help in finding some art thieves.  Using his drawing skills, some math, his ADHD / OCD friend, and a bit of luck Eddie works to stay one step ahead of the Picasso Gang.

This book was great for the students I work with - not too long, short chapters, good size font, action, humor...Good job!!!

Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times

 

Anyone want to hear my rant on length again?  No....

Okay then, I liked the very beginning and the ending was good and I did like the Steam Punk feel but for all of its 307 pgs I didn't feel like I knew enough about the world (colonies, etc) or the characters...

The Sittin Up

 

I have had this sitting by my bed for awhile.  It is on the MSBA short list so I thought I would give it a go.  For the first 50 pages I was actually enjoying it...Mr. Bro. Wiley died in the first chapter and they started getting ready for the sittin up.  Then the next 125 pages or so happened and there was a lot of crying, a lot of making food, and not much else.  Then near the end the river flooded and there was conflict and some action.  It just took so long to get there...I worry that most of my students wouldn't stick with it that long.  Sorry....