Mindy

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Jul 012010
 

Walk Two Moons

Written By: Sharon Creech
Published: Harper Collins Children’s Books
Published in: 1994
Won a Newbery Award
Hardcover – 280
ISBN: 0-06-023334-6
First of all, I have to thank Kelli again for this one. She told me about this book awhile ago, and it sat on my to-read shelf for a couple weeks while I was reading more 39 clues. It was coming due, so I started it on a Tuesday, and finished Wednesday. I loved it. It was such a great story. Actually, it’s a story within a story. Sal, is the main character. Her full name is Salamanca Tree Hiddle. She and her father just moved to Ohio from Kentucky. Sal isn’t happy about it. She misses everything about Kentucky. She misses the farm she loved, the trees, animals, her swing, everything. However, her dad had to get away. From what I won’t say because it would too much away.
In Ohio, she meets Phoebe. She’s a strange girl, whose home life seems a bit too perfect. But, something happens in her house that takes perfect off the table. Sal’s dad is close to their neighbor Mrs. Cadaver, and she isn’t thrilled about it. She is the one who helps her dad get a new job, and helps them find a place to stay in Euclid. But, Mrs. Cadaver’s story is revealed at the end, and it made me cry. A stranger comes to the neighborhood, and sets Sal and Phoebe investigating.
But, that’s the story in the story. Sal is taken on a road trip with Gramps and Gran. They want to take her on the same trip that her mom made a year or so earlier. Sal’s mom is Sugar. The heart of story is about her, and why she left. The purpose of the road trip is to see her.
I really enjoyed this book. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like. Phoebe wasn’t my favorite, but I see why she acted the way she did. I liked Ben a lot too. Gramps and Gran are funny, sweet, and seem like they would be fun to hang out with. The last few chapters had me crying. I honestly didn’t want the story and the story within the story to end.
Thank you Kelli for a great recommendation!
4 1/2 stars
I recommend it and would read it again.
I would read more from this author. Going to check out Bloomability next.
FTC FYI- borrowed from library.
(P.S.) It’s great to be back! Wasn’t the Countdown to Summer Awesome?!

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight by Jenny Nimmo

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 272010
 

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight

By: Jenny Nimmo
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: in the U.S. May 2010
ISBN: 978-0-439-84672-1
Hardcover – 466 pages
Charlie Bone and the Red Knight is the 8th and last book in the Charlie Bone series. Here’s a little back ground info on these books. Charlie Bone, in the first few books, lives with his mom, two grandmas, and his uncle Paton. His father, Lyell, is missing in the first few books. Charlie is endowed, which means he has some magic in him, and that means that he is a descendant of the Red King who ruled 900 years ago. The Red King had 10 children, some good and some turned bad. The children all inherited powers from the Red King, and their children’s children children, etc. Charlie’s gift is traveling through pictures and photos. Once his “evil” grandmother, finds out he’s endowed, she rushes him off to the Bloor Academy where all the endowed children go. There he meets more descendants of the Red King. Again, some are good, some aren’t. Some of the endowments are: a girl who can turn into a bird, a boy who can summon storms, a boy with fighting ancestors, a boy who can talk to animals, tele-kinetic twins, a boy who can drown, a girl who can bewitch clothes, a boy who is a psychic. The list goes on… The worst is Manfred, he can hypnotize. He is the great-grandson of the evil Ezekiel Bloor. Ezekiel wants to do the town harm, but why and how we don’t really find out until a few books into the series.
There are many great characters in the these books, that really keep the story going. Charlie also has friends that aren’t endowed, Fidelio and Benjamin with his faithful Runner Bean. The evil ones really are mean, but the good guys are smart and resourceful. Uncle Paton is one of my favorites, he is also endowed. He’s a power booster, no light bulbs are safe when he’s around. I think my favorite bad guys are the nasty sisters of Grandma Bone.
I like that each book has a family tree, and a list of the endowed children and what they can do. It’s nice to be able to keep track of who belongs where.
Many exciting things happen in this book. An evil enchanter with a sword that can act on it’s own, a father and son that have to destroy each other, an evil Count, family fighting, a missing box with all the answers, and the “Red Knight” who tries to help the kids.
I was really happy with the ending, and the “big reveal” was great too. This book, and Book 7, “Charlie Bone and the Shadow” are my favorites of the series.
Book 8: Four stars. Series average: 3 1/2 stars.
I would read them again, and recommend them.
Along with the Charlie Bone series, Jenny Nimmo has written five other books, and I have read all but one.
FTC FYI- borrowed from the library

39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 202010
 

Book One The Maze of Bones 39 Clues
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0-545-09054-4
Hardcover 220 pages

Reviewed by Mindy
FTC FYI: borrowed from library
Grace Cahill was a rich, powerful, and mysterious woman. Right before her death she changes her will and that change starts a fast-paced exciting adventure. Grace’s grandkids Amy and Dan are orphans, their parents died years ago in a fire. They gather, along with many crazy members of their extended family, for the reading of Grace’s will. In her will, Grace selects only certain members of her family to either take a million dollars each, or exchange it for a chance to find the “39 clues”, which will lead to a source of unimaginable power. Amy and Dan decide to take the challenge, along with some ruthless and crazy family members. The first clue is given, and the race is on to find the second. Since their parents died so young, the kids don’t know much about the mysterious Cahill family. They’re hoping this quest can also give them the answers they need as well. Grace’s butler William McIntyre has known the kids for years, and can not give them any help. However, he offers a couple words of advice and warns them not to trust anyone along their journey. Of course, Amy and Dan make rookie mistakes, like, trust those they shouldn’t. And, it seems that whenever hints are discovered or they find a new lead, there is always a bad guy conveniently around to hear. That was what bothered me the most, but it didn’t make it so I didn’t enjoy the book any less.
“The Maze of Bones” is very clever, fun, and a very fast read. There is humor, action, puzzles, loyalty. I found what I liked the most was the relationship between Amy and Dan. Amy is older, shy, and smart while Dan is funny, mischievous, but very smart too. They really watch out for each other and when it comes to protecting each other, they would give it all up to do so.
What is think is neat about this series of books is that each book is written by a different author. The author of this book, however, wrote the outline for the rest of the books. So far there are eight in the series released, and there will be 10 total. Book 9: Storm Warning will be released May 25th 2010, and Book 10: Into the Gauntlet is set for Aug 31, 2010.
3 1/2 stars out of 5
I recommend Book 1 and have read Books 2: One False Note and 3: The Sword Thief. Started Book 4: Beyond the Grave yesterday.
Mr. Riordan also wrote the Percy Jackson series, which I loved.

Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark is Rising Sequence Book 1) by Susan Cooper

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 132010
 

Reviewed by Mindy

I love goodreads. This is where I get most of my books to read. My friend Kelli gave this series five stars and she said these five books are up there on her favorite books of all time. And, for those of you who know my good friend Kelli, she has a hard time remembering what book she read last week! Right, Kell? :) So, when I saw how much she enjoyed this, I was interested.

“Over Sea, Under Stone” is the first book of five and was originally published in 1966. Interesting tidbit: Book 2 “The Dark is Rising” is a Newbery Honor Book and book 4 “The Grey King” is a Newbery Award Winner.
It starts with three siblings Simon, Jane, and Barney who are visiting their Great Uncle Merry in Trewissick, along with their parents, for a get away so Mom can paint and Dad can fish. Great Uncle Merry is a mysterious man who doesn’t like to answer questions and disappears for long periods. They are staying in the borrowed Grey House, which holds many of it’s own mysteries. While exploring in the house, the children find a map that while intriguing, is also a dangerous thing to have. In their quest to figure out what the map really is, they meet some menacing people, well actually, the bad people find them. Who can they trust and what they find, I won’t tell you, but it’s a great adventure, that takes them over sea, and under stone.
I’m accustomed to fast paced books, and this fit right in. I enjoyed the mystery of the map, what it eventually led them to, and the adventure it took them on and why. Also, finding things out along with the kids. (Even though there was one event I figured out before they did:)
There are some exciting events that take place: burglary, kidnapping, mind control, lies, deception, cave-exploring, a link to King Arthur, the mystery of him, and a fun surprise revelation of a character at the end.
There wasn’t anything I didn’t really dislike about this book. I would of liked a little more information on the kids. But, it didn’t bother me enough to be discouraged or not want to read more of the series.
What I liked the most was the mystery of map, (which actually is called something else) and how Simon, Jane, and Barney figure out the next step. I also enjoyed how they would work together and how they treated each other.
Four stars
I would read it again.
Will I read more from this author: Yes, I want to finish the series.
Over Sea, Under Stone

Author: Susan Cooper
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 1966
ISBN13: 978-1-4169-4964-0
Paperback: 196 pages
FTC FYI: checked out book from library

Being Sixteen by Allyson Braithwaite Condie

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
May 062010
 


Being Sixteen surprised me. I really enjoyed it. Not that I was expecting not too, I actually didn’t know what to expect. What I liked right away, was how if someone was reading this book that was not of our faith, there are some explanations of our beliefs without being too obvious.

Juliet Kendall is the oldest sister at home, we start her story on her 16th birthday. Right at the beginning, I could tell she is a smart, confident girl who knows her beliefs, but things seemed almost too perfect. She has two older sisters. Emma is serving a mission in Spain, and Maddie is away at college. Carly is 14 and starting her freshman year. Juliet has everything going for her; the start of new relationship, lots of great friends, and a chance to play basketball on the varsity team. But, as like many of us, her trials come slowly, then linger, and then seem to stay for awhile. Little by little events take place that really challenge her testimony, and her self worth. Carly has a secret that effects them all, but Juliet takes it the hardest. And while Carly hides away and struggles, Juliet, while worried about Carly, hides as well. Not just from friends, but her Heavenly Father. Feeling she failed her sister, really takes her down a self destructive path. It just takes stopping the small and simple things that prevented her from asking Heavenly Father for help.
As I read Juliet’s journey, I sympathized with what the girls were going through. I didn’t go through what Carly did, or Juliet for that matter, but I have three daughters, and I can only pray that they stay strong in the gospel and will make good choices. It’s a great story for anyone with daughters.
There was one thing that I felt was unresolved, but this particular event helped Juliet move on to others things.
My rating: 4 stars
I would read it again and recommend it to others
Will I read other book by this author? Yes!
Being Sixteen
Author: Allyson Braithwaite Condie
Published: 2010
Publisher: Deseret Book Company
ISBN-13: 978-1-60641-233-6
Softcover: 249 pages
FTC FYI: Reviewed a free copy from the publisher which did not affect my review.

Peter and the Star Catchers Series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Apr 292010
 


Shanda told me about this series, and I was intrigued. I love Peter Pan. (It’s also one my favorite rides at Disneyland.) It originally was a series of three, but fans wanted more, so the authors released Peter and the Sword of Mercy last year.

The first book is Peter and the Star Catchers. Peter starts his journey in an orphanage. He and a bunch of boys are put on a boat headed to the Rundoon to be slaves to the king. In Starcatchers we are introduced to many key players in the books. And the mysterious starstuff, which carries the plot of Peter’s books. Molly Aster, her father Leonard, Fighting Prawn (leader of the Mollusks tribe), Slank, Mister Grin, Smee, and Black Stache (aka the future Captain Hook) are introduced. So many exciting things happen in this book. There are explanations as to the mysteries of Peter, how he flies, mermaids, the Lost Boys, why Peter doesn’t age, how Neverland gets its name… Too many to name. And, at the end, a special character is born. There is a little bit of unnecessary language, and references, but not in the others.
The second is Peter and the Shadow Thieves. It takes place shortly after Starcatchers. It’s a little darker (which I liked) and really exciting. Peter needs to make it to London to warn Molly of some danger coming to harm her. It takes a couple unnecessary turns that I didn’t love. But, during it, Peter runs into a gentleman named James Barrie (the original writer of the Peter Pan story). He gives some directions that are reminiscent of finding your way to Neverland. The villain, along with others, is Lord Ombra. A shadow thief, that steals shadows to get others to do his bidding. I can’t really go into too much detail without revealing the plots from this and Starcatchers. The end is so exciting, that I had to finish, even though it was 1:00 am.
The Secret of Rondoon grabs you at the start, and doesn’t let go. There is so much action and excitement. Peter is in trouble with The Others, and is wanted in the city of Rundoon because of his “special abilities”. In this third book, you find out about Peter’s parents, and why Peter survived a certain event that took place in Starcatchers. Molly is back, along with George Darling who helped in the second book. Mollusk Island is in trouble and is taken over by a vicious tribe of savages called the Scorpions. This book is in a slight lead for my favorite, closely followed by the fourth. Rundoon has great action and suspense, we are introduced again to characters that were in the first, but not mentioned again until this book.
Peter and the Sword of Mercy takes place 23 years after Rundoon. An old nemesis is back and causing trouble in the palace. He’s after a key to finding more starstuff. We’re introduced to the Skeleton, who is a very intense and scary character. Molly and George married, and get themselves in a pickle, so this time around it’s Wendy (their daughter) who needs Peter’s help. Who can they trust? The police are corrupt and there is danger everywhere they go. Peter is afraid, and seems sad in Mercy. But, creative and surprising things happen on this adventure and old friends are in need of help too. Great ending. I hope there is a Book 5.
What got old for me: In the first three, Lord Aster is, understandably, protective of his daughter and doesn’t want her coming along, or getting herself in trouble, but she always does, and helps save the day. I just wanted him to accept the fact that she is capable of helping, and didn’t need to be held back.

What I liked the most: Each book have many different sub plots going. Peter’s activities, Molly’s, the island, Hook. Each plot is exciting and page turning.
Four stars for the series.
I would definitely read it again.
I would and have read others from these guys. Actually, just Ridley Pearson. He wrote The Kingdom Keepers series, which I really enjoyed.
Peter and the Starcatchers/Peter and the Shadow Thieves/Peter and the Secret of Rundoon/Peter and the Sword of Mercy
Authors: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Publisher: Disney Edition/Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN: Starcatchers 0-7868-5445-6 Published 2004 451 pages
Shadow Thieves 0-7868-3787-X Published 2006 556 pages
Rundoon ISBN -13: 978-078683788-5 ISBN-10: 078683788-8 Published 2007 482 pages
Mercy 978-142312134-3 Published 2009 515 pages
Hardcover
FTC: all books were checked out from the library.
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