What is it with pigs this year? Several books I have read with pigs in them...
Ruby Clyde Henderson has had an unconventional life. Her father was shot right before she was born. Her mother, who is not so great at coping, has taken up with a shady character named Carl. In the middle of the night the left their homes for his dream of Hollywood. On the way they steal a pig from a local "zoo" and then Carl decided to rob a gas station. He was caught and Ruby's mother was also accused. Ruby who had been hiding during the robbery has no idea what to do. She decides to find her Aunt Eleanor, her mom's estranged twin who is a nun. There Ruby finds a new family and learns to trust again. But what will happen if her mom is convicted?
I thought this was actually pretty good. I was a bit confused at the ending because I thought the lawyer was in the dark - must have missed something in my speedy reading.
Imogene is a member of a crime family. Ever since she was a young girl she has been learning how to be a good criminal. But when her grandmother died she became disillusioned and decided to go to a proper boarding school and become respectable. Now she wants to be head girl at the school. But then the school finds out about her family and since they have just all been arrested for stealing an ultra rare lunch box there is no way she can stay at the school.
So back home Imogene goes to prove that there was no way her family could have committed the crime - because honestly, without her grandmother, they stink at crime. But once she is home Imogene is swept up into her family relationships and the thrill of planning a heist.
This book was funny, charming, and a bit mad cap. There were a few surprises along the way as well.
This was a decent book about a girl whose brother rescued a runt pig and then brought it home. Once there the girl Josie was told she had til the New Year to find a new home for the pig. At first she wanted to convince her parents to keep it but as the pig grew larger she realized that the pig needed to be on a farm. Then she really had to try and find the pig a home - one that wouldn't involve a butcher.
The story - to me moved slowly. There was a lot of time spent with Josie and her gymnastics (and then she talked about giving it up at the end). I felt there were also some teasers that never got fleshed out fully - her dad's boss, some money issues, a crush. My biggest issue was that there was supposed to be a huge relationship between Josie and Hamlet but it never felt that real to me.
It could be because I have read so many books in the last week and I am really looking for something that just wows me.
This was a short, quiet book about a goat that lives up on the roof of an apartment building. The story is told through the perspective of some of the residents - a blind author, a man who had a stroke and his wife, a family that is apartment and dog sitting, a man who brought the goat to the apartment building in the first place, and the goat. The book took awhile to unfold but the last 1/3 of the book all came together and was quite fun.
I had 3 "Jimmy" books and I wanted to read them all to see about potential fits for MSBA. I have to say Laugh Out Loud was probably my favorite of the 3 but this one was also good. I think my issue with this one is that is the first in a series so there is more to come.
In this book Kelvin has moved to a new space station. His parents are brilliant scientists and every believes he is a mega genius. He's not. Kelvin is trying hard to fit in to a new life and new friends. But there is a scientist on the station who decides, since he can never beat Kelvin's parents at anything, that he will be an evil scientist.
So... I felt that the fast pace kept me from fully understanding the main issue if that makes sense. Maybe things will become clearer as the series progresses.
I love this book!! No I don't think I actually laughed out loud but I am an adult not a kid so what do I know. What I loved about it was the positive message and the love of books that just shone through. Yes, shameless promotion of a bunch of James Patterson's books - brilliant. But, in addition, there were references to some other great books as well. I can't wait to get this into my library and into my student's hands.
This is a book I have been debating for awhile. On the one hand I love time travel type books but the cover kind of put me off. I am glad I read it - not sure how well it will be received by kids and there are some flaws but...
The book focuses on Claire and Annie who are separated by about 30 years. Claire lives with her mother in an old lighthouse. Since the death of her sister Annie, Claire has been eaten up by guilt and grief and her mother is consumed with her art. Claire just wants to get away. Annie lives with her mother and father in Toronto. She has no other relatives. While her parents are all business she is an introspective artist.
When Annie's mother is in a car accident and is in a coma, Annie suddenly finds herself traveling through paintings and visiting Claire. How are they connected? Why is this happening?
So a few issues with the book - who exactly was Mrs. Silver? It never really said. The whole traveling through a painting? Not really explained in any way. Also, anytime a book goes back and forth between characters it can be hard to keep them straight, especially when there is an Annie in both settings.
Overall I did enjoy the book though - quite intriguing and a good message.
