Okay I wanted to like this, I really did. It's set in Maine so that's good. Unfortunately it just didn't do anything for me. I wanted more - there just didn't seem to be any real plot. Maybe the problem was that it jumped so much and covered so much time that nothing really seemed developed enough. Whatever happened to Freddie for goodness sake? Did anyone ever go see him? And what about Orrin? All of a sudden he was not mentioned anymore. And the ending...don't get me started. Sorry this didn't work at all for me.
I have probably said this before but I am not a big fan of graphic novels. I don't have anything against them per se; I'm not anti-graphic novel like some teachers, I just don't like them that much. This one was one of the better ones I've read. Strange idea but that's what my kids like. Cardboard creations coming to life and then going all evil. Yep kids will like it.
I'll give it a ribbet - not because I necessarily liked it because the kids will.
Loved it!!!!! This is on the Maine Student Book Award for 2013-2014 and I will be recommending it any chance I get. I thought it was wonderful. Sage and 2 other orphans are "rescued" by Connor to be part of his nefarious (I just wanted to use that word) to take over the kingdom. One pf the orphans will assume the role of Jaron the long lost prince. I don't want to give away any of the plot but the book was really great. Hoping they have the sequel at the Scholastic warehouse sale :)
Ribbet Ribbet - happy frog.
I really like time travel books. In fact, they are one of my favorites so I really wanted to like this. But, it didn't totally work for me. Saul lives in Scotland with his mom, dad, and new twins. He has some good friends, a cool hang out, and he deals with normal boy stuff - school, a bully, wanting a new bike. While going to the store for his mom a girl, Agatha suddenly appears and almost gets hit by a car. It turns out she came from 1812 in an experiment done by her father. Good premise but the middle part of the book lagged quite a bit and the actual method of time travel...not great. I know...time travel is far fetched to begin with but this didn't work for me at all. Also, some of the relationships - Saul's friends with Agatha and another girl Agnes, the resolution of the bully problem, his dad who shows up just at the end - weren't developed enough. I did like the ending and the closure with the ring but there were some jumps concerning Agnes and Agatha that could have been developed more.
One part that really bothered me was Saul's award winning essay. I get that it was an essay written by a middle grade boy but award winning? It was not good at all...
I think another issue with the book is the abundance of British words and references - not sure my students would understand all of it.
Sorry...it's a croak.
I received this free from Netgalley. I am not required to do a positive review.
I am not
a huge fan of graphic novels but I liked this one. Claudette wants to
be a hero, Marie wants to be a princess, and Gaston wants to be a
chef/sword maker. Together they set out on a quest to kill the Baby
Feet Eating Giant. Along the way they meet some interesting characters
and learn about themselves.
Ribbet :)
This was a fun mystery. Anna, Jose, and Henry meet after an event at the Smithsonian where the Star Spangled Banner flag was stolen. It turns out that they all have relatives who are part of a secret organization whose job is to protect valuable artwork. While stuck at an airport during a blizzard they discover that the flag is hidden there and they work together to solve the mystery. This is kind of like National Treasure for kids. I enjoyed it.
Ribbet :)
This was a really cute book. Andy has been cursed with an extremely large nose. This causes him to be teased at school until some of the kids find out that his sense of smell can actually be helpful. When a truly disgusting smell threatens to close their school for an extended time and perhaps doom them to losing their summer vacation, Andy becomes Super Schnoze and his friends Jimmy, Mumps, TJ, and Vivian help save the school and the town. I think my students will find this book very funny.
Ribbet.
