[Book Review] Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World 

by 

Jennifer Armstrong

Blurb:

"In August 1914, Ernest Shackleton and 27 men sailed from England in an attempt to become the first team of explorers to cross Antarctica. Five months later and still 100 miles from land, their ship, Endurance, became trapped in ice. When Endurance broke apart and sank, the expedition survived another five months camping on ice floes, followed by a perilous journey through stormy seas to remote and unvisited Elephant Island. In a dramatic climax to this amazing survival story, Shackleton and five others navigated 800 miles of treacherous open ocean in a 20-foot boat to fetch a rescue ship. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World vividly re-creates one of the most extraordinary adventure stories in history. Jennifer Armstrong narrates this unbelievable story with vigor, and eye for detail, and an appreciation of the marvelous leadership of Ernest Shackleton, who brought home every one of his men alive. With them survived a remarkable archive of photographs of the expedition, more than 40 of which are reported here."

My Review:

I love this book! It is an amazing story! Seriously amazing, and I think it teaches wonderful lessons about hard work, determination, working together, and great leadership. It is so well written that it reads as fiction. I love the format with the pictures and the maps. I love to just look at the pictures because they capture the moment so well. I look up to Ernest Shackleton because of his great leadership ability. As you're reading, you know that no one dies, but you can't believe it!  These men go through so many trials and hardships, and not one of them dies. It is incredible! Ms. Armstrong did a great job with this book and I highly recommend it! I recommend it as a read-aloud and also as a personal read. This book is one of my all-time-favorite nonfiction reads!

Rating: PG+ (It is clean, but they do suffer through a lot of hardships, some of which are not pleasant to read.)

Age Recommendation: Fifth Grade and up. It is a great read-aloud for home or school, and is also a wonderful book for kids and adults alike to sit down and read. Parents may want to read it first just so they know if it is appropriate for their child.

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*This post was first published on 8/8/12, and was updated on 1/10/18.

[Book Review] Celebrate Every Season With Six Sisters' Stuff Cookbook

Celebrate Every Season With Six Sisters' Stuff Cookbook 

by 

Six Sisters' Stuff

Blurb:

"From New Year's Eve to Christmas Day, there is always a good reason to celebrate! Whether you're highlighting a favorite holiday of the month, hosting a party, planning a summer picnic outing, or simply wanting to create a few family memories, Celebrate Every Season with Six Sisters' Stuff is the perfect one-stop resource for great food, new traditions, and family fun. Every month includes flavorful and delicious recipes as well as fun, fast, and easy ideas for celebrating the season with your family, from hosting a 'New Year's Eve Family Countdown' to 'A Summer Bucket List of 50 Fun Things to Do' to '12 Days of Hot Cocoa for Christmas.' Along with some of the Sisters' most popular recipes are all-new creations for refreshing beverages, delicious snacks, succulent entrees, and decadent desserts. So invite the Six Sisters to your next celebration with this low-stress, go-to guide that can help your family enjoy every month of the year."

My Review:

I have reviewed a couple of the Six Sisters' Stuff cookbooks, and I have to say, I think this one may be my favorite! It's such a fun idea for a cookbook! There are fun recipes for New Year's, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Summertime, Back to School kid favorites, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! One thing I love about Six Sisters' Stuff recipes is that they are real. Right? They use ingredients that I know, and I usually have them in my pantry. There's none of the "What is that?" recipe frustration. I can't wait to try some of these out! I'm going to start on the Christmas recipes this week! Chocolate Reindeer Cookies, Christmas Tree Brownies, and Egg Nog French Toast, need I say more? I love that at the end of each category there is a page or two of fun traditions. For example, at the end of the Christmas recipes the tradition is "12 Days of Hot Cocoa." What?? I LOVE hot cocoa. Seriously love it. I know I'm too late to do all 12 days, but I'm starting that this morning for sure! Raspberry Hot Chocolate, Caramel Hot Chocolate, S'mores Hot Chocolate, Candy Cane Hot Chocolate...I think I'm in Heaven! And then after next week I can plan my family's New Year's Eve party. On New Year's we usually have what we deem our "Processed Food Extravaganza." We go to Costco and buy all the processed stuff we don't buy the rest of the year: corndogs, egg rolls, chicken nuggets, pigs in a blanket, french fries, you name it! Then yes, we totally pig-out! This year, however, we may need to break tradition and try these yummy Shrimp Taco Bites, Sweet Polynesian Meatballs, Cowboy Caviar, and the Snowmen on a Stick. Or better yet, does anyone want to make them and invite me over? I am excited to delve into this cookbook! 

Click the link below for a cute, short video about this fun cookbook!  
https://www.facebook.com/ShadowMountainPublishing/videos/1879585068737568/

Rating: G (Clean!)

Recommendation: Everyone!

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Also by Six Sisters' Stuff:

   

Simplify Supper

Simplify Supper

by

Krista Numbers

Blurb:

"From her grandfather Salvatore Granato's roots in Southern Italy to the legacy of her family's beloved Italian deli in the heart of Salt Lake City, Krista Numbers has a deep-seated love for good food. In Simplify Supper, this busy wife and mother proves that simple can be satisfying as she dishes up dozens of delectable dinners. According to Krista, "Some of the best recipes are a simple combination of fresh and flavorful ingredients made with care and served with love." From a few of her family's best-loved Italian meals to fast feasts with an international flair, discover quick comfort foods you'll want at the heart of your dinner table, such as

-Angel Hair Pasta with Basil Cream Sauce

-Smoked Turkey Panini with Pears and Blue Cheese

-Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

-Teriyaki Chicken with Ginger Rice

In addition to her collection of simple and satisfying meals, Krista shares personal anecdotes, sanity-saving kitchen tips, and suggestions for making family dinner a time for good food and good conversation. No matter the occasion, there is a recipe here to help you get a delicious supper on the table, pronto."

My Review:

You have to know that I'm an ok cook. If I have a good recipe I may be able to make a decent meal. I like fast and easy (think grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup), and there can't be any crazy ingredients. I know I won't go out of my way to find one strange ingredient. I'll either not put that ingredient in, or I'll make something different. So I'm definitely in need of simple recipes. These recipes all look delicious. Some of them look simple; some of them don't. Last night for dinner I made the "Easy Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches." They were actually really good! The recipe wasn't difficult. It was definitely the first time I've gone to the deli counter to ask for sliced roast beef, but it won't be the last! The meat was easy to prepare, and the cream cheese was the perfect touch. It added a lot of creaminess. I will for sure be making them again-even the kiddos liked them! My 13 year-old doesn't like green peppers, but he admitted that "in this particular instance" the green peppers tasted good. Yay! There were lots of dishes that I wanted to try. The sloppy joes looked really good, as did the enchiladas and the different pastas. There are even some delectable desserts. I was a little disappointed that there were a couple of things that if I did them it would definitely make my life less simplified. For example, buying dried pasta in a bag is very simple. Making my own pasta = not simple. Eating my sister-in-law's homemade tamales = simple. Making my own tamales = not simple. I guess it would simplify the ingredients, and for someone who has time and enjoys doing it, go for it! (And then call me-I'll be right over!)  I, however, will not be trying those recipes. Now, the Italian Sodas or the Sopaipillas, yes, I will for sure be trying those! I also enjoyed her little snippets of info. throughout the book. She has advice on hosting, things you need to have in your kitchen, how to plate your dishes, and even a bit of info. on salt. Yep, who knew salt could be interesting? I'm excited to try more of these recipes!

Rating: Clean!

Recommendation: Everyone

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

We all know the story. Scrooge is a mean spirited old man who doesn't like Christmas or anything happy, for that matter. He works with Bob Cratchett, and will not allow him enough fire to stay warm. He pays him very little and detests that he wants one day off for Christmas. He used to have a partner, Marley, but he passed away. Christmas eve Scrooge goes home and Marley's ghost comes to visit him. Marley's ghost carries heavy chains and tells Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts that night. So the ghost of Christmas past comes, then the ghost of Christmas present, and then the ghost of Christmas yet to be. Scrooge sees the Cratchett family with Tiny Tim, he sees himself dead, and he sees many of his good past memories. These memories and feelings are enough to give Scrooge the motivation to change his life.

I have heard the story before, I've seen a few different movie versions, and I actually acted as Mrs. Cratchett in third grade. So I like the story a lot; however, I have never read the real Charles Dickens' version. I really enjoyed it. I love the language in many of the classics. I love the attention to detail, the descriptions, and the feeling of this book. It did take a minute to get back into the language, but I loved it. I love the message of this story. I love that it teaches living life to the fullest and the importance of families. I love that it teaches that it's never too late to change. This is the perfect story for Christmas time. I think I'll make it an annual read, and maybe read it to my kids next year.

Rating: PG  (It's a great clean book for all ages. It might be a little scary for the little ones.)

Recommendation: Everyone can read and enjoy this book!

This review was originally posted on 12/24/11

A Year With Six Sister's Stuff

A Year With Six Sisters' Stuff: 52 Menu Plans, Recipes, and Ideas To Bring Families Together 

(Summary taken from the inside book cover) "What's for dinner?" Three words every mom dreads. Don't panic! The Six Sisters are here to help you answer that question. The sisters have gathered together more than 150 of their most popular recipes for entrees, side dishes, and desserts and have combined them into 52 stress-free menus of perfectly prepared three-course meals. Filled with delicious tried-and-true family favorites and oh-so-easy-to-make dishes, A Year with Six Sisters' Stuff features all-new recipes using basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each menu is designed to make your dinner plans as easy as possible--and with such wide variety and a photograph accompanying every recipe in the book, you can easily mix and match menus to create a year's worth of dinner ideas. In addition, the Sisters share some of their favorite family dinner traditions and crafts, as well as 52 dinner conversation starters, a list of pantry staples, and, food storage plan for beginners. So, what's for dinner? Whatever you'd like."

Oh, how I love these six sisters! They have saved many a dinner time for me! I reviewed their previous cookbook, and some of those recipes have become new family favorites. I make them all the time. I was really excited to get this new book and try some more recipes! I love the format of this book. It is different from the last one in that the recipes are combined into three courses. So, there's usually an entree, a side, and a dessert. Sometimes instead of a dessert there's a fun slush or dip. It's great. I also love the extras that come in this book. The 52 conversation starters are fun. For example, number 13 asks, "Which character in a book best describes you and why?" There are instructions for a DIY chalk menu board and a list of staples you should have in your pantry. I love the idea for a "Thankful Tablecloth" and I will definitely be doing it with my families at Thanksgiving this year! One idea that is not really healthy, but super fun, and the kids will absolutely love, is the "Crazy Dinner" tradition. On Thanksgiving Eve, mom is cooked-out. She has been working, and will continue to work very hard to get Thanksgiving dinner ready. To give her a break, everyone gets $5 and you head to the grocery store. Each person gets to purchase whatever food they want with their $5, and that is what you have for dinner. The sisters say that one of them picked a frozen pizza, another picked "crab dip, chicken nuggets, French bread, waffles, chocolate cake." Crazy and random, right? Once a year is good for this tradition, but we may need to try it out one time. I made the "Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken," and it was very good. I've been making my mom's Teriyaki chicken for as long as I can remember, and everyone loves it. Well, don't tell my mom, but I'll probably be making this version from now on. It is so good! It didn't turn out sticky, but that is most likely the cook's error. The taste was divine, and I'm glad I put in an extra chicken breast because we ate it all! I've also made the "Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas," and they are fabulous. Are you hungry yet? Just listen to these names: Layered Peanut Butter Brownies, Twix Caramel Popcorn, Balsamic Asparagus, Crunchy Black Bean Tacos, Butterfinger Blondies, Creamy Chicken Lasagna, and on, and on, and on. Yummy, right? Yay! I'm so excited to continue trying these new recipes out. I love adding new favorites to our list!

Rating: G (Clean and Delicious!)

Recommendation: Great for everyone!

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Want to Win a Copy???

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Six Sisters' STUFF: Family Recipes, Fun Crafts, and So Much More!

Six Sisters' STUFF: Family Recipes, Fun Crafts, and So Much More! by Six Sisters (Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra)

(Summary taken from the press release) "In their debut cookbook, the sisters (yes, six biological sisters--Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra) show families just how simple putting dinner on the table can be. From Baked Chicken Fajitas to Slow Cooker Pot Roast Sliders to Mini Oreo Cheesecakes, Six Sisters' STUFF has nearly 100 easy-to-follow recipes that use ingredients commonly found in your pantry. Each recipe includes easy-to-follow instructions and photographs that eliminate any guess work."

I have been making recipes from the Six Sisters' website for a long time. They have some very yummy recipes! So when I got the chance to review their new cookbook, I jumped at the chance! I haven't had the opportunity to make many of the recipes in the cookbook yet, but I did go through the entire book, page by page, and I can't wait to get started. I want to try the "Cheesy Vegetable Soup," the "Baked Ziti," the "Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos," and the "Smores Bars" today, tomorrow, the next day.......All of the recipes look family-friendly and fairly easy to prepare. I think I already have most of the ingredients I saw in my pantry or fridge, so I should be good to go! The instructions are easy to understand, and something even I should be able to handle. Yay!

Surprise! There are not only recipes in this book, but crafts and other tidbits as well. There is a cute wooden snowman, a wreath, a sock puppet, an ice cream cone pinata, a kid sprinkler car wash, and a bunch more. There is also some really good information like putting together 72 hour kits, a 14 Days of Valentine's Day for your spouse, and one that I will be using shortly (if spring ever comes....)--a spring cleaning guide. What more could you want? This book is the Everything-Family manual. It's a lot of fun, and I am excited to jump in and make some stuff!

The Six Sisters think it is very important that families eat dinner together, and they hope this book makes it easier for families to do just that. They are launching a 4x4 Dinner Challenge in conjunction with the release of their book, and are hoping families will go to their website www.SixSistersStuff.com and register. You will receive meal tips, ideas for family activites, and helpful recipes to assist in making this challenge a reality.

They are also doing a book giveaway. To enter, you need to either:

1) Like the Six Sister’s STUFF facebook page and comment that you are joining the 4x4 Dinner Challenge https://www.facebook.com/SixSistersStuff

2) Click the 4x4 Family dinner banner on the website www.SixSistersStuff.com (on the right sidebar) and leave a comment that you are joining the challenge.

 

I loved looking through this cookbook and will definitely be spending a lot of time with it in the weeks to come. There will be lots of new dinners to try for sure! And, I think the crafts are easy enough that I (completely non-crafty) will be able to do them.

 

Rating: G (Clean!)

 

Recommendation: Everyone

 

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Frindle

Frindle by Andrew Clements

(Summary taken from the inside book jacket) "Everyone knows that Mrs. Granger, Nicholas Allen's fifth-grade teacher, has X-ray vision, and nobody gets away with anything in her classroom. To make matters worse, she's also a fanatic about the dictionary, which is hopelessly boring to Nick. But when Nick learns an interesting tidbit about words and where they come from, it inspires a great plan: to invent a new word. From now on, a pen is no longer a pen--it's a frindle. It doesn't take long for frindle to take root, and soon the excitement spreads well beyond his school and town. His parents and Mrs. Granger would like Nick to put an end to all this nonsense. But frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. All he can do now is sit back and watch what happens."

I had never heard of this book before, and then my friend reviewed in on goodreads. I thought it would be great for my boys (4th and 5th grades), and when I asked them if they had read it, they both said, "Yes!" That doesn't usually happen. I had no idea. Anyway, they had both read it, so I picked it up and started reading. It is so cute and fun! I read it in one sitting, so it's a very fast and easy read. It's very imaginative, and I think it teaches kids a great lesson about words, about using your imagination, and also about how one person can make a difference. I love Nick's character. He is witty, imaginative, and funny. I also liked Mrs. Granger because of the teacher in me. I loved how the word just took off, and it reminded me of when I was in high school and "like" was just beginning to be used more, and how  my drama teacher pounded it into our heads not to use it. Unfortunately, she was not able to stop the "like" movement, but that's okay. The word frindle took off in the same way. What a fun idea! This woud be a great read-aloud, but it's also great for a silent read.

It's a clean read, so it's great for everyone, which I like!

Rating: G (Clean!)

Recommendation: 5 years and up (I have a four-year-old, and I don't know if she would quite understand it yet.) as a read-aloud. I think it's about a third grade reading level for a silent read.

The Light Bridge Legacy (#1) Destiny's Call

The Light Bridge Legacy (#1) Destiny's Call by Elayne G. James

(Summary taken from an email the publisher sent me) " [Destiny's Call] is book one in a YA series that chronicles the adventures of an American girl who learns just before her twelfth birthday that she has been chosen by a race of ancients in Peru to inherit the most powerful magical object in the world. Her move from the Mojave Desert to NYC in book one, parallels her inner journey from sheltered little girl to self-assured young woman, and her growing magical abilities intermittently aid her and get her in trouble. The underlining themes of overcoming fear and embracing who you really are, will resonate with anyone who has had to overcome adversity while trying to find their place in the world."

I really enjoyed this book. It took me by surprise and hooked me from the beginning. I liked Ms. James' writing style. I thought it flowed well, was easy to read and understand, and had just enough mystery to keep me reading. It was  a little confusing, at times, because some of the characters have unusual names, and there are some fantastical words introduced. It took me awhile to get the hang of some of it, but once I did, I read it quickly. It is fantasy, which I like, and there are some different worlds that brush paths. Not alien-like. I don't do aliens, usually, but this is different than that. I liked the characters a lot. I especially liked Ani and Kahete. I liked the parents at the beginning, but didn't like the dad at all towards the end of the book. I'm still not sure what I think of CJ. Sometimes I liked her and sometimes I didn't. I felt bad for her and her circumstances, but didn't approve of a lot of what she did. I found Kahete intriguing and wished there had been more about him.  Sophia also intrigued me. I wanted to know more about her, and her magic, as well. I liked the story and thought the lesson of finding yourself in a big world was very pertinent to today. I didn't like the decision that Ani made without her father's permission. I hope that doesn't give any young adults reason to make similar decisions. I worried about it when I read it, but then when I started to think of other books I have enjoyed where younger characters make similar decisions, I felt better about it. Still, when my children read this we will definitely chat about not making that choice.

This book is fairly clean. There is some language, some stealing, and a domestic violence scene. A man attacks a 13 year-old girl. It is violent, but it is not a rape, and the girl gets out okay. She is injured, but heals fine. There are also a few sketchy choices made by Ani and CJ: disobedience, lying, that kind of thing.

The ending of this book definitely leaves you hanging. I am excited to read book #2, and I would recommend this book, with the previous warnings.

Rating: PG-13 (some language, stealing, a domestic violence scene, and some sketchy choices)

Recommendation: 13 years and up. I think a 13 year-old will be able to handle everything that happens. I would recommend that parents read it first to make sure it is appropriate for their child. Each child is different.

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

When a Dragon Moves In

When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore

(Summary taken from the inside book jacket) "If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in--and that's exactly what happens to one very lucky boy on the beach. The boy and his dragon brave the waves, roast marshmallows, roam the shore, and have a perfectly amazing time together. but when the boy tries to share the news of his magnificent dragon, no one believes him. That's when the mischief begins. The dragon devours every last sandwich, blows bubbles in the lemonade, and leaves claw prints in the brownies. Is there really a dragon running around on the beach, or is someone's imagination running wild?"

My daughter brought this book home from the school library a few days ago, and I was hooked from the first page. The illustrations are amazing! Brightly colored pages draw you in, and you stare, captivated, until the end. And, then you want more. It's a really cute story, and it hit home for me because my sons loved dragons when they were little. I could totally see this happening to my oldest. And, I could understand each and every reaction from the parents. I could also see myself in the sister. Hahaha. I know it's hard to believe, but I have been accused of being a bit too serious at times. I need a few more dragons in my castles sometimes! I may need to purchase this book! I just want to read it over and over.

Yes, I love this book, and yes, I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Rating: G (Clean!!!)

Recommendation: Great for everyone 0 to 125!

Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise

Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise by Alicia Richardson

(Summary taken from the inside book jacket) "Kirby Puckernut is Santa's cleverest little elf. While dreaming up marvelous toys for good girls and boys, Kirby has his best idea yet--a real elf in every home, all through the holidays, spreading Christmas Magic! Santa finds the perfect family and allows Kirby to serve as the test elf for the first momentous visit. Fun and adventure are at every turn, but not everything goes as planned....Will Kirby's idea be a success?"

If you're like me, you love Christmas books. I love Christmas books! I try to have books for every holiday, but I have at least three times more Christmas books than any other holiday. I like to get a new Christmas book every year, and this year's book is fabulous! It's a cute story, well written, and it talks about the "Christmas Magic." It is not just about the presents, it's about the feeling of Christmas, the opportunities for service, and about thinking of others during Christmas. The characters are believeable and quite life-like. The 13 yr-old girl Izzie has a grumpy attitude about Christmas and no longer believes in "Christmas Magic." She thinks it's only for babies. Unfortunately, her feelings and how she behaves with those feelings, impact the entire family, especially her younger siblings. It's a good story about attitude and family.

The illustrations in this book are amazing! I love them! They are beautiful and bring the book to life. I had all four of my kids squished around me on the couch, even my 11 yr-old, and they were captivated with the story and the pictures.

On a side note, you can purchase your own "Kirby" on the author's website, and have your own personal elf this season. I didn't do that, but it could be fun!

I really enjoyed this book and so did my kids. I'm sure we will be reading it over and over before Christmas comes. I definitely recommend it!!! It's a new Christmas favorite.

Rating: G (Clean and great for everyone!)

Recommendation: Everyone will enjoy this book, young and old.

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Beau and the Beanstalk

Beau and the Beanstalk by Lee Baker

(Summary taken from www.mediaguests.net)
"Beau and the Beanstalk is being released as a revolutionary Interactive App. Children will be able to read along with the text as Lee Baker narrates the story as well as hear the characters speak as they interact on their PC, Mac, ipad, iphone, Android pad, Android phone or Kindle Fire.

Author Lee Baker created a fun new book for children of all ages to enjoy. A reverse on the classic tale, Jack and the Beanstalk, Baker's Children's book Beau and the Beanstalk is about an adolescent giant who is ridiculed in a magical kingdom in the clouds and climbs down a beanstalk to meet Jack, a hack-magician with a love of fire tricks, who will do anything to be the star of the circus.
This book is an instant hit with parents and educators. The book teaches values like overcoming difficulties, taking care of mistakes, standing up to bullies and choosing the right friends. The illustrations will immediately draw the reader into the story."

This is a fun book! It's not like your ordinary picture book you read to the kids at bedtime. This book will definitely engage younger readers because it is on the computer and it is fun! The story line is really cute and a play on your typical "Jack and the Beanstalk." The illustrations are wonderful and it was fun clicking on all the characters to see what they had to say. There are some really good lessons for kids in the story as well. It teaches taking responsibility for your actions, that bullying others is not okay, and that if you work hard enough you can overcome whatever problems you may have. It isn't very long and will for sure hold the children's attention. There are some scarier pictures, but they aren't too bad and should be okay with the kids. I enjoyed reading this story and will definitely open it up for my kids tomorrow. I think all my kids will enjoy it, even my 11-year-old son. I did receive it for my PC, but I think I'm going to look for it for my android phone, that way I have it at those unexpected times when I need something to keep the kids busy and all I have is my phone.

Rating: PG (A few pictures are a little bit scary, bullying, some fighting)

Recommendation: Everyone! Just make sure with the really little kids that you go through it beforehand to make sure it's not too scary. It will be fine for my four-year-old, but it might scare yours--all kids are different.

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this book/app in exchange for my honest review.

Little Woody Stories

Little Woody Stories by Woody Dykes

(Summary taken from the back cover) "In a land far, far away called Wichita there was a magic street called Rutan. This street had a tree-lined tunnel that covered the sky. On this magic street lived a tribe of Indians called the Rutan Indians. These are their stories. I am the last of this tribe. These are stories of my childhood when I lived in Wichita, Kansas, on Rutan Street. I was six to eleven (I think) during this time. The stories are true and actual, to the best of my memory. I had two friends who shared most of these adventures with me--Eddie Kangus and Larry Rochillen. This was my crew. Tall Larry and Loud Mouth Eddie--the Rutan Indians. These stories are called "Little Woody Stories" by my family and friends. ~Woody Dykes"

This book reminds me of stories my grandparents would tell me when I was growing up, especially my grandpa. Some of them are very funny and some of them make me cringe (like the one where he jumps off the roof with the red spring shoes on). They also remind me of stories my dad would tell of things he did growing up, and yes, some of them remind me of things I may have done (but don't tell my kids.....). It's fairly well written and I like Mr. Dykes' humor. It's a fast, easy read (I think it took me less than an hour), and is ok for the older elementary-age kids. I had my son, who is in 5th grade, read it, and he liked it as well. He also read it quickly and the only thing I was concerned about was him getting some not-so-good ideas from the stories. We had to look up the definition of mercurochrome and google "Kit candies," but it was great to turn a fun story into a teaching moment. I like the "Lessons Learned" bit at the end of each story. This is a fun book and would be fun as a read-a-loud as well.

Rating: PG (Just don't get any ideas......) I had to tell my son that if I ever found a hole cut in our roof he wouldn't leave his bedroom....ever....

Recommendation: 4th or 5th grade and up. Parents may want to read it first to see if it is appropriate for their child. And, if nothing else, it may bring back some fun childhood memories.

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Olympian

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson #5) by Rick Riordan

(Summary taken from the back book cover) "All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of a victory are grim. Kronos's army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan's power only grows. While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it's up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. In this momentous final book...the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy's sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate."

I have loved all of these books, especially since I have been reading them aloud to my boys. Even though they are 10 and 8, I love reading to them, and I like to hope that they still enjoy it as well. These books have all been action-packed and fun, and this one was no exception. There were the usual characters plus a few new ones, and I enjoyed seeing how the series came together in the end. I thought it ended well and my boys liked it, except for the kissing scene (oohhhh-I won't tell you who was kissing), which I think they liked but they won't admit it. Hahaha. There were some good twists and turns in the storyline, and some surprises. Some of it was a little predictable as well, but not enough to make us dislike it. There was a little more violence in this book, and some of it was a bit graphic, but it was a war for Western civilization, so it was expected.

I still love that Mr. Riordan can take mythology and make it so fun. My boys know so much more about mythology than I ever did at their age. I took a mythology class in college......

I highly recommend this series! It is fun with a bit of hidden education in it, which I love.

Rating: PG+ (Lots of fighting, especially against monsters, some main characters die, no language, and a kissing scene)

Recommendation: 3rd grade and up. If your child has read the previous ones then he/she should be fine with this one. It is a little more violent, but my third grader did fine with it. I still recommend a mythology lesson with these books, if they are not being read aloud.

1378 Oak Street

1378 Oak Street by Lovely Whitmore

(Summary taken from www.amazon.com)

Kid's today don't know how to play... Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia in the 80's was filled with fun, friendship and lots of adventure. Especially for me and my siblings, on Oak Street!

We weren't rich, but we learned to take what we had and have fun with it. We played restaurant, made mud pies and had barbecue chicken made out of sticks and dirt. There was never a dull moment as we fought monsters, played chase and took turns riding one bike. It was a time when imagination reigned supreme and dreams were the stuff of life.

Take a walk down my memory lane. Take off your shoes, grab a cup of lemonade and stay awhile...you'll enjoy your visit to Oak Street. A heartwarming story the whole family will enjoy.

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This is a short novelette and it is a fun story.  I went the entire story thinking it was autobiographic, and then on the last page she says that it is fiction, and that it is loosely based on her experiences. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed, but that's ok. It  was still fun to read. I agree with her that children do not play enough these days. I'm always kicking my kids outside. I

 

I like the tone and voice of this story. Ms. Whitmore's writing definitely makes you feel like you are standing right there on Oak Street watching the story unfold. I related to some of her experiences, but not all of them. I shared a room with my sister, as did she, and we had some fun times together. My siblings and I also made plenty of mud pies out in the sandbox, so that was a fun memory to remember. The experiences she had with the neighbor kids were interesting. They were not very nice. Thankfully I didn't have neighbors like that.

 

I didn't love the ending of the story, but it was ok. It just seemed out of place, I thought, but it did have a purpose. It was fun to read about life in another part of the country.

 

Overall I enjoyed the story. I would recommend it.

 

Rating: PG (It's clean!)

 

Recommendation: 13 and up. It is clean, but some of the subject matter might disturb some of the younger readers (They eat goat at a bbq and there is a church scene with them getting baptized at the end. Also at the end a thief runs into their house and there is a police standoff.)

 

Disclosure: I received a free book in exchange for my honest review.

The Wampum Exchange

The Wampum Exchange by Rosemary McKinley

(Summary taken from an email the author sent me.) "Long Island author, Rosemary McKinley has written a young adult historical novella, The Wampum Exchange, set in 1650, Southold, New
York. A twelve-year-old boy has a chance meeting with a Native American
boy and their worlds connect in a most interesting way. The tale is told
through their daily lives, giving the reader a glimpse into life in
America. Middle grade readers, as well as adults would enjoy reading
this story."

This is a short, fun little story about life in 1650 in Southold, New York. It looks like Ms. McKinley put a lot of time into researching life in that area and in that time period, and it shows in this story. There are some fun facts about the time period woven into the storyline, and I think it's a great way to teach children history. They are learning and they don't know it! I didn't know much about the wampum and so it was fun for me to learn as well. The story is written in a very simple style, but that makes it easy to read. The characters are fairly well developed, and the setting is well described. There are some really good descriptions in the story.

I enjoyed reading this story and will most likely read it to my kids. I have it in e-reader format, so it's not one I can just hand over to them to read. It will be a good time to talk about life during that time period and discuss our country's history, which I definitely enjoy doing. This would be a really good story for elementary school children to read in class, or have read to them. You get a fun story and history included! Of course, it is historical fiction, but it's based on as much fact as Ms. McKinley could find. I liked this story and recommend it, especially to teachers and younger readers.

Rating: G Clean!

Recommendation: Third grade and up.  This would be a great silent read or read-aloud book.

Chocrotes and the World Without Question

Chocrotes and the World Without Question by Steve Berkowitz

(Summary taken from an email the author sent me)

The allegorical story, Chocrotes and the World Without Question, explores the power of questions, and references ideas around tyranny, revolutionary movements, freedom of speech, and educational philosophy. For as long as civilization has existed, people have longed to be free. The struggle for freedom continues to this very day in countries around the world. Chocrotes and the World Without Question provides a timeless lesson that can help introduce young people to the events that are unfolding in our modern world. While there are deeper meanings and lessons tucked away in the pages of the book, the youth of the world will enjoy Chocrotes and the World Without Question’s ability to make them smile and laugh.

The setting for this book is a fantasy world inhabited strictly by Chickens. In this far off world, the Chickens live in fear of an evil King: Doodle Doo. This evil king, having usurped the throne from a Queen and King who believed in the power of questions and love, Doodle Doo turns the Chicken world upside down and destroys thousands of lives in the process.

Chocrotes is born during Doodle Doo’s reign and is raised by a scientist and professor of roostory, who believe in the power of questioning. Chocrotes believes strongly that his peaceful world has been uprooted by a fascist regime. Throughout his life Chocrotes asks questions, even though he is warned not to. It is not long before he is banished for daring to question a professor, and exiled to an island in the far reaches of the kingdom. It is there he develops a philosophical creed by which to live freely, and to inspire his fellow hens and roosters to rise up against a hateful dictator. After many years Marco Pollo, an old childhood friend, rescues Chocrotes from his island of isolation and helps return him to the world without question. Chocrotes gathers together his fellow Chickens to stand and fight against the evil king.

Chocrotes and the World Without Question was initially created as a final project at Lesley University for a graduate class, Arts and Education: History and Philosophy. I am a Masters of Education candidate with a focus on Elementary Education. My experiences in the classroom, both as a student and a teacher, have shown me how much students truly enjoy asking questions, how questions are asked constantly in their daily lives, and how curious children really are in general. I feel this story could help students understand the power of questioning to make sense of their small and large worlds. With the power of question, a person, or a Chicken can accomplish anything.

This short story is actually a modern day fable! It's been a long time since I read Aesop's fables in elementary school, and this story brings a modern day lesson to the forefront. Yesterday my son was struggling with piano and didn't want to ask his teacher any questions on how to do it better. Learning that it is okay to ask questions is a big step in each child's life. A lot of kids don't have this problem and ask a million questions a day, while others are afraid. There is a good lesson on why it is good, and important, to ask questions about lots of things. If we don't question then we don't think for ourselves.

I enjoyed this story. It's a quick 33 pages and is easy to read. It's clean, except for an evil leader who kills those who ask questions. (There aren't really any details about how those chickens die, you just know they do.) This is a great resource for teachers, especially of the older grades. It's also a good resource for parents.

Rating: PG (It's clean, but is probably better for kids who are a little older.)

Recommendation: 3rd Grade and up. I think this age group and up will better be able to understand the symbolism and the lesson.

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Gregor and the Code of Claw

Gregor and the Code of Claw (Book #5) by Suzanne Collins

(Summary taken from the inside book jacket) "Everyone has been trying to keep Gregor from seeing the final prophecy, The Prophecy of Time. It says something awful, but Gregor never imagined just how awful: It calls for the warrior's death. The warrior being Gregor, of course. Now, an army of rats is quickly approaching and Gregor's mom and his little sister, Boots, are still in Regalia. In spite of the terrifying prophecy, Gregor must gather up his courage to defend Regalia and get his family back home safely. The entire existence of the Underland is in Gregor's hands and time is running out. There is a code that must be cracked, a new princess to contend with, Gregor's burgeoning dark side, and a war designed to end all wars."

I liked this finale book. It wasn't my favorite of the series, but I liked it. Having read all of them right in a row I was kind of getting sick of them, but I did like it. It was a little darker and a little more violent, but still okay. I liked how it showed the relationship between Gregor and Luxa blossoming and how it showed Gregor growing up and deciding that he had to sacrifice himself to save everyone else.  I liked the addition of the code they needed to break. I really like Howard's character, and Mareth's character.

I didn't love the ending. I think Ms. Collins needed 50 more pages and a little more time. I thought it ended very abruptly and without closure for the characters involved (and me). I thought she killed off a character she shouldn't have and it just made it so sad. Books don't always need to have a happy ending (although it is nice), but this was just sad. I would still recommend the series because the rest of the series is really good.

Rating: PG+ (War violence, characters (even a main character) dying, fighting)

Recommendation: 3rd Grade and up. If you're child has read the first four then I'd recommend finishing it for sure. You may want to read it to judge if your child is ready.

Gregor and the Marks of Secret

Gregor and the Marks of Secret (Book #4) by Suzanne Collins

(Summary taken from the inside book jacket) "In the fourth volume of the critically acclaimed Underland Chronicles, Gregor is drawn ever deeper into a brewing crisis. For generations, rats have run the mice--or "nibblers"--out of whatever lands they've claimed, keeping them constantly on the move. But now the mice are disappearing, and the young queen Luxa, who credits them with saving her life, is determined to find out why. When Gregor joins her on a fact-finding mission, he's relieved that this time, at least, there's no prophecy on the line. But when the true fate of the mice is revealed, it is something far more sinister than Gregor or Luxa have imagined--and it points the way to the final prophecy he has yet to fulfill. Gregor's role as warrior and his abilities as a rager are put to the test in this suspenseful, action-packed penultimate installment of Suzanne Collins's thrilling Underland Chronicles."

I liked this book, however, it is darker than the first three. The things that happen are darker and more sinister, and evil. One main character dies, but hundreds of innocent minor characters die. And the main characters watch (they want to help but can't). So, it's harder to read, but it still has some happy moments, and Boots is as cute as ever. Gregor finds his abilities are lacking in certain areas but is learning to control them better. It is a fast, easy read, but sad and depressing. If you have read the first three you definitely need to read it, just know that it's not too happy. And it leaves you hanging at the end.

I like the characters and I like that as the books go on we continue to learn more about each character and each circumstance. I like that the characters grow before our eyes, and I'm quite attached to some of them. Ms. Collins' writing style is easy to read and definitely draws you in. I have the next one sitting on my dresser so I don't think I'll be doing much today.

Rating: PG+ (Violence, fighting, deaths of innocent creatures, it's darker than the first three)

Recommendation: 3rd or 4th grade and up. If your child is a third grader you may want to preview this one first. It is more depressing and may be harder for a third grader. My 4th grader read it and commented to me that he didn't like it as much because it was more violent.

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods (Book #3) by Suzanne Collins

(Summary taken from the inside book jacket) "Book Two left off with Gregor reading the Prophecy of Blood: a prophecy that calls for Gregor and Boots to return to the Underland to help ward off a deadly plague. But this time, Gregor's mother refuses to let him return to the Underland...until the rat Ripred assures the family that Gregor and Boots are just needed for a short meeting, which the crawlers will attend only if their "princess" Boots is present. Gregor's mom finally relents, on the condition that she go with them. The Underland plague is spreading, and when one of Gregor's family is stricken, he begins to understand his role in the Prophecy of Blood, and must summon all his power to end the biological warfare that threatens the warmblooded creatures of the Underland."

This book has all the suspense and action that the previous two books had, and the story takes an interesting turn. Of course there is the prophecy that they don't really understand until it all happens, and some lingering questions, even then. It is a fast, easy read and definitely a page turner. A new Overlander ends up going to the Underland, and that throws some twists and turns into the story. Gregor grows a lot in this book, I think. Which is good. I think he is starting to learn more about himself and find confidence in his abilities. At the same time, he is still a child, only 12 years old, and there are times when he acts like a 12 year-old boy. Which is annoying, but realistic. There are also some new characters introduced, and I ended up liking them a lot.

I find this series interesting, when compared to Suzanne Collins' other famous series "The Hunger Games." That series, of course, is not written for the same age group, but the messages of war and peace are quite different. In "Hunger Games" war is fought as a game. It is meant to entertain and teach a lesson to the spectators. They are to learn not to fight against their leaders. In "Gregor," war is fought for protection. It is also fought to gain something like a cure to a plague or to fight an evil creature. In this particular book, there is a message that war should be the last resort. Gregor has never liked his role as a warrior, and he has never liked fighting, but he has done it to protect himself and his Underland friends. He has also done it to gain something. In this book he begins to think about how war might not be the only option sometimes, but sometimes it is necessary. I don't like political statements in children's books, and this could be portrayed as one, but it is not overly bearing and works in the book. But, I know my 10 year-old didn't quite catch all of that, so it may be a mute point anyway.

I liked this book. It is repulsive in some spots (the plage is nasty), but overall I enjoyed it. There is some fighting violence and characters do die along the way. This series may not be for a cute, timid little girl, but she might still enjoy it. My 10 year-old boy loved it and finished all the books in a matter of a couple of weeks. I also enjoyed it. There is no language and no "physical intimacy."

Rating: PG+ (There is a war, with fighting, the plague is really disgusting and nasty, and characters do die.)

Recommendation: 3rd or 4th grade and up. My 10 year-old, 4th grade, loved it.

Michael Vey

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

(Summary taken from the back book cover) "HAVE YOU FOUND THE LAST TWO?" The voice on the phone was angry and coarse, like the sound of car tires over broken glass. "Not yet," the well-dressed man on the other end of the phone replied. "Not yet. But we believe we're close--and they still don't know that we're hunting them." "You believe you're close?" "They're two children among a billion--finding them is like finding a lost chopstick in China." "Is that what you want me to tell the board?" "Remind the board that I've already found fifteen of the seventeen children. I've put out a million-dollar bounty on the last two, we've got spiders crawling the Web, and we have a whole team of investigators scanning global records for their whereabouts. It's just a matter of time before we find them." "Time isn't on our side," the voice returned sharply. "Those kids are already too old. You know how difficult they are to turn at this age." "I know better than anyone," the man said. "But I have my ways. And if they don't turn, there's always Cell 25." There was a long pause, then the voice replied darkly, "Yes. There's always Cell 25."

I had heard a lot about this book and so I was excited to read it, and my son wanted to read it, so I needed to pre-approve it for him. I have to say, it did not disappoint! I really liked this book. It's engaging and definitely a page-turner. The concept is so different, which I like. Mr. Evans' writing style draws you in and keeps on moving. I loved the characters. Mr. Evans' character development is so good that you feel as if Michael is your best friend. Taylor and Ostin are right up there as well. I liked that some of the unfavorable characters at the beginning change to allies in the end. Characters I wanted to hit at the beginning became some of my favorites at the end. I also liked the relationships between the characters. I liked how Mr. Evans had them relate to each other and play off each other. Even though it's unrealistic, when you are reading it, it becomes reality. I felt like I could actually someday meet someone with a power like this. Crazy, I know.

Cell 25 didn't play as much of a role as I thought it would, but it did show the strengths of certain characters. It also showed the evil and indifference in other characters.

I loved that this book was clean! There is some violence, but no profantiy and no "physical intimacy." The violence included high school boys' pranks and after school fighting. It also included  fighting between good and evil at the end. Some guards die. The evil character asks good kids to do bad things. Some of them follow and some of them don't. I loved that it showed kids that you can resist peer pressure and not do things you are uncomfortable with, or that you know are wrong.

My 10 year-old son is very excited because it is 10 yr-old approved!

Rating: PG+ (This includes the above stated violence)

Recommendation: 3rd grade and up. I think even my third grader will be okay reading it. He's reading "Harry Potter" right now, and there is more violence and scary stuff in that than there is in this book. He may not understand the technological stuff (like what an MRI does), but I don't know if my 10 year-old does either. I'll have to explain that. If a third grader hasn't read anything like "Harry Potter" or "Percy Jackson" then it may be too much.