The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Feb 102011
 


The Wednesday Wars

Gary D. Schmidt

Publisher: Clarion Books

Published: 2007

2008 Newberry Medal and Honor Book

FTC FYI- I borrowed it from a friend who borrowed it from the library

Holling Hoodhood has a problem. He is neither Jewish or Catholic, so he is the only student in his class who doesn’t go to church school on Wednesdays. That means he is stuck with Mrs. Baker, who hates him. Of course any seventh grade boy is going to think that of his teacher, especially when she rolls her eyes and crosses her arms all the time. The year is 1967. Holling lives in Long Island with his parents and sister. Father is an architect, mother is a house wife and closet smoker. His sister is a flower-child, which his father “can not stand for in his house.”  Through these characters we are witness to many important events that happened around this time: Martin Luther King, The Beatles, Bobby Kennedy, Mickey Mantle, Vietnam War, Shakespeare… Wait, Shakespeare, that doesn’t happen in 1967. Just wait.

At first Wednesday are hard for Holling because he is only asked to do menial chores: cleaning erasers and running errands, mostly. One of the funniest parts is when Holling is cleaning out the rat cage. In his time with Mrs. Baker, she decides that Holling should learn Shakespeare. Which leads to a very funny problem with yellow tights, feathers and all. Holling learns things about himself, his family, and along the way finds a friendship. My favorite part though, was near the end when we find out what his sister’s name is.

5 stars out of 5. I loved this book. It is so funny, I was laughing out loud. It’s also very sweet, I got teary in a few spots.

Gary D. Schmidt has written more books. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy won the American Library Assocation and Newberry Honor in 2005.

The Limit by Kristen Landon

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 212010
 

The Limit

Kristen Landon
Publisher – Aladdin
Published – September 2010
Hardcover – 291 pages
FTC FYI- borrowed from library
ISBN – 9781442402713
“The Limit” page 1– An eighth grade girl was taken today.
Whispers and text messages flew through Grover Middle School. They slipped handcuffs on her and shoved her into the back of a van. They shot her with a tranquilizer dart in the middle of the lunchroom. She escaped and she’s hiding in the library-right now-texting her friends.
The girl went to Lakeview Middle School. My cousin goes to Lakeview. He said they called her out of first period and she never came back. An eighth grader! Nobody could believe it. Up until now they’d only taken high school students.
Up until now we thought we were off-limits.”
Imagine a society where the government decides how much money your family can spend. And when you go over your limit, you are faced with consequences you might not be ready for. That is what happens to Matt and his family. Matthew Dunston’s family spent money without any care in the world. Or, without thinking of what could happen if they went over the limit. One day, all that changes. The limit is reached and Matt is taken to the FDRA (Federal Debt Rehabilitation Agency). Sharlene Smoot comes to pick him up. She is a pretty lady, with a voice like honey. Matt, in his mind, calls her “Honey Lady”. (She reminds me of the “mean lady” in the book “The Girl Who Could Fly”, very nice on the surface, but look out if you cross her.) Sharlene explains to him why he is there and what has to happen for him to get to leave. Right away, he is tested and put on the floor that needs his abilities the most. Matt is smart, especially when it comes to numbers. He uses his smarts as a weapon and also to his advantage. Later on something happens that test his patience, not only with the system, but with his own family. The FDRA has a secret, and Matt is determined to find out what it is.
What I enjoyed the most was the bit of humor within such a series subject. The thought of kids being taken away to work off their families debt, even with our current society really doesn’t seem too out there. Still scary though. However, Matt is a funny guy. Easy to like. I loved his pet name for people. Like: Honey Lady, Crab Woman, Gorilla Man… Clever. I really enjoyed the ending. It didn’t end with all the debt magically going away, I liked that responsibility needed to be taken.
I enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5. I have not read her other book, but it’s on my list!
Kristen Landon’s “Life in the Pit” is YA. You can buy both books here.

Into The Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Oct 072010
 

Into the Gauntlet
By: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: August 31, 2010
Hardcover: 327 pages
ISBN 13- 9780545090681
FTC FYI: Borrowed from library
I thought since I reviewed 39 Clues #1, “The Maze of Bones”, it would be fitting to review the last in the series. First of all, I really enjoyed this series. It’s a great series for kids, and for anyone, adults included, who enjoy a fun, quick read.
Throughout this series, Amy and Dan Cahill have traveled all over the globe in search of the 39 Clues. In previous books, the kids find out what branch of the Cahill’s they belong to, and in book nine, “Storm Warning”, Amy and Dan learn what the true mission of the 39 clues is. The secret of the “Madrigals” is revealed in “Storm Warning” as well. The other clue hunting teams are still unsure of the Madrigals and what they could do them.
In the start of this book, Amy and Dan are discouraged and scared. They end up in London along with the Holts, Kabras, Alistair, Jonah, and a surprise team that we thought was taken care of earlier. And don’t forget about the evil Isabel Kabra… How are Amy and Dan going to accomplish all that they need to and still try to win?
A couple of the books in series, I gave three stars. However, the last four received four. I really enjoyed how different authors wrote each book. With that we are able to get a fresh voice on the clue hunt. Also, there is a surprise at the end of “Into the Gauntlet” that leads to a whole new set of books. I will read those as well.
Happy Reading Clue Hunters: Purchase the series here

The Magic Thief (#3) Found by Sarah Prineas

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews
Aug 122010
 

The Magic Thief – Found

Sarah Prineas
Harper
Published: June 2010
Hardcover: 357 pages
ISBN 978-0-06-137593-4
FTC FYI – borrowed from the library
Sorry, but I’m doing it again. I’m reviewing yet another series book. And, again, it’s not the first of the series. But, I won’t apologize for the books because they are great.
I found the first book of “The Magic Thief” series sitting in the new arrivals section of my dearly beloved library when it first came out. I was drawn by the cover, title, and the word magic. Long story short, I enjoyed the first and the second, which is called “Lost”, but I think “Found” is the best of the series.
To sum up the gist of the stories… Conn is a thief who lives on the streets of Twilight. He has to pick pockets to survive, but that has also made him strong and smart. One night he picks Nevery’s pocket, and it turns out, Nevery is a wizard. He takes Conn in, reluctantly at first, but he and his “housekeeper” Benet, start to love the boy. Conn meets many in the city, good and bad and has a problem with the Underlord. Who also has a problem with him. Conn finds out, he’s a wizard too, and every wizard needs a locus magicalicus to do magic properly. What Conn’s is and how he finds it, and what happens next, I’ll let you read that. But, it’s an adventure.
In “Lost” there’s trouble in another city and it’s up to Conn to help. He gets fixed up in the city’s magic and what’s happening to it (that is explained in the first as well). Conn is misunderstood by many, and many are mean to him. The “lost” part of book is what takes the story on a great turn of events.
“Found”… well, I can’t say what was lost or found. But, it’s no secret that the magic in Wellmet is in trouble and something terrible is coming. Conn needs to find what was lost so he can help. Along the way he finds dragons, which could hold the key to fixing the long-time problem with the cities magic and what it really is.
Great story for kids, or anyone who wants a clever, fun, quick read. I would recommend these books and I would read more from this author.
3 stars for books 1 & 2. 4 stars for book 3
Enjoy! Until next week…

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?!

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.