My Sentiments Exactly!

ALA Midwinter Meeting!

2012-01-21T18:42:00.000-06:00

I'm at the ALA conference! I cannot believe how many books I have picked up! I just can't wrap my mind around it....it's totally crazy! I'll have to do a post later listing some of the books I picked up that I'm super pumped about!

Also, I kind of have a problem. I literally do not know how I'm going to take all of these books plus the books my friends got and drive back home. The car is going to explode from books.

My Top Reads of 2011

2012-01-01T23:49:00.000-06:00

So I read over 200 books in 2011 and I wanted to list my favorites from the year. It's always interesting to look back over the year and see what books you loved and what books were lackluster.

So here the fiction books that I gave ratings of 5 stars on Goodreads. (I use the 5 star rating on Goodreads as opposed to my four star rating on my blog.)

5 Star Children's Picture Books

Should I Share My Ice Cream by Mo Willems

Shadow by Suzy Lee

Art & Max by David Wiesner

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator by Mo Willems

5 Star Juvenile Book

Scumble by Ingrid Law

5 Star Young Adult Books

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Matched by Ally Condie

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Divergent by Veronica Roth.

And there you have it! What were your favorites of the year?

2011-12-30T13:15:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1295
Gooney Bird on the Map by Lois Lowry, illustrated by Middy Thomas
Rating: one star (out of four)

I wasn’t a big fan. I haven’t read other books with GooneyBird in them, but I didn’t really care for her personality. I may be missing something from previous books, but Ididn’t like how much attention Gooney Bird got from her teacher,principal, and classmates. I wasn’t sure why they put up with her crazy stylesand antics. I felt like everybody catered to her somewhat outrageous demandsand ideas. I didn’t think she was completely bossy and domineering, but I just got frustrated with some of her ideasand the way she seemed to “know” what was best for everyone else. I wouldn’trecommend, but other people might like this book if they enjoyed previousbooks with this character.

2011-12-30T13:09:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1294
Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe by Scott Gustafson
Rating: one star (out of four)

I read part of this book, but then gave upbecause I wasn’t liking how flippantly they portrayed Edgar Allan Poe and their imagination of his childhood. I know it’s a fiction version withliberties taken to make people interested in his life, but I wasn’t a fan. I didn’t care for the characters and I foundmyself disinterested several times while reading. The illustrations didn’treally hold my attention either. I wouldn’t recommend.

2011-12-30T12:29:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1293
Planet Middle School by Nikki Grimes
Rating: two stars (out of four)

A quick and fairly engaging read. I thought the author did a good job of portraying a young narrator who was conflicted by growing up and all of the awkward changes that take place. It was told in verse and I liked having the story develop through poetry. It was an interesting story and I felt that all of the characters were realistically portrayed, but I wasn't super engrossed. I might recommend.

2011-12-30T12:11:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1292
Waiting for Magic by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Amy June Bates
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. It was really sweet and had a poignant message. Even though I'm not a big fan of dogs, I enjoyed the dogs in this story and felt like they gave great insight in the life of the disrupted family. The message was simple and I thought Patricia MacLachlan did an excellent job of keeping the quality of the story while making it something a juvenile reader could understand and enjoy. It's a book that has a wide audience and the characters and illustrations are very much alive and accurately show their personalities. I would recommend this story.

2011-12-30T12:01:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1291
Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I picked up the book because of the illustrations. I had read a couple of other books with Kadir Nelson's drawings and enjoyed them. The story was nice and I did like all of the pictures, but I wasn't in love with it. People who are fans of ballerina books might enjoy it more.

2011-12-30T11:57:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1290
Wildefire by Karsten Knight
Rating: one star (out of four)

I'm not going to finish this. The violence is disturbing and I'm over 80 pages in and I have no feelings whatsoever for any of the characters. Plus I don't approve of 16-year-olds drinking/breaking the rules and thinking it's not a big deal. Not my kind of book at all. The beginning wasreally dark and disturbing. I tried reading more to see how itwould fare after that and I wanted to give it a chance to turn intosomething more interesting, or at least explain why those things happened. Butit didn’t. I was not at all impressed with how the teenagers acted and especially their reckless view of life. I was annoyed with how easily they broke rulesand ignored authority figures. I didn’t like any of the characters and felt they weremean, underdeveloped, and disturbing. I didn’t care what happened to them and that's why I quit reading. I wouldn’t recommend.

2011-12-30T11:47:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1289
The Predicteds by Christine Seifert
Rating: one star (out of four)

I wanted to like this book, but there were just so manyfactors that made that impossible. The premisewas really intriguing and I thought the cover and the first couple of chapters weregood. I was hooked and I wanted to know what was going to happen. But after those initial few pages of excitement, the story really started to lag and the character development was completely off-base. I was not impressed with any of the characters and thought they needed major revision. The plot took a turn for the worse and there were a lot of things that just didn’t add up in the book.The plot had some awkward gaps that didn’t make sense and some things were left unexplained. I was so annoyed with the lack of character depth and felt like a lot of the people weren't portrayed realistically. I wouldn't recommend, it was a disappointment.

2011-12-30T11:18:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1288
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of Vivian Vande Velde’s earlier novels. Even though theplot was pretty simplistic and the story took place over a seemingly short spanof time, I was fairly engrossed the whole time I read. I liked the characters and thought they were portrayed realistically. The story was interesting and I wanted to know howthings would end up. It was a short read, but I liked the story progression. It was a one of the better fantasy books I had read in a while. It was a seemingly simplistic fantasy novel, but because of thatelement, it felt like a breathe of fresh air compared to all of the otherfantasy novels I had been reading lately. I would recommend!

2011-12-30T11:10:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1287
Two Moon Princess by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban
Rating: one star (out of four)

When I read the premise, it sounded pretty good.Unfortunately, the story did not live up to its potential. The main character was really immature. I wanted her lines and actionsto be less predictable and annoying. I kept waiting for her to do somethinginteresting, but I was continually disappointed by her choices. Ialmost stopped reading in the middle because I didn't really care about the major plot or characters. Near the end of the book there was a change in character personalities that didn't add up at all. I wasdisgruntled with how the people acted and the way things were resolved. The ending was a letdown and I was largely disappointed with the plot, characters, and action sequences. Iwouldn’t recommend.

2011-12-30T10:18:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1286
My Favorite Band does not Exist by Robert T. Jeschonek
Rating: one star (out of four)

I didn’t get this book. At all. The whole time I was reading it, Ikept wondering when things would start to make sense. You’d think that things would be explained, but I was so frustrated with the lack of details that I almost gave up reading because it was so bizarre. I wish I had given up readingit because the ending was a huge disappointment. I only finished for the sake of having some sort of conclusion to explainthe hours I had spent reading the book. But the ending didn’t offer anything satisfying enough to justify reading the book. Also, I have no clue what genre to categorize this book as - it was all over the place. I wouldn’t recommend it.

2011-12-29T12:10:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1285
Just Like Heaven: A Mutts Children's Book by Patrick McDonnell
Rating: two stars (out of four)

While this book had a sweet message and cute illustrations, it was a letdown. I was browsing the bookstore and I saw a stack sitting on the shelf and picked it up out of curiosity. The story just didn't have enough poignancy for me to like it and I thought it was a little dumbed-down. Other people might like it, but I just didn't care for it.

2011-12-29T11:29:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1284
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
Rating: three stars (out of four)

Absolutely loved the illustrations. They were imaginative and suited the story perfectly. I really liked the story and felt like it would entertain almost anyone. I would love to see this garden in real life. The little boy was really sweet and I couldn't help but love his personality. Although I adored this book, but it didn't quite make it to my favorites shelf or top rating. It had nice footnotes in the back. I'd definitely recommend.

2011-12-29T11:21:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1283
Me, Frida by Amy Novesky, illustrated by David Diaz
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I love the illustrations for this picture book. They were colorful and engaging. The story was nice as well, but I mostly enjoyed the illustrations. I liked that it was historical, but still felt like a fictional story. I'd recommend.

2011-12-29T11:15:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1282
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was a nice book, but a little lackluster for me. I thought the friendship between the two animals was interesting and the illustrations were good, but I wasn't absorbed by the story. I was a little bored sometimes. I think that other people might like it though, it just didn't do anything for me.

2011-12-29T11:10:00.001-06:00

Book Review #1281
The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I picked up this book based on the cover and I wasn't disappointed. It was a charming book about barnyard animals and their quirks. The illustrations were funny and cute. I also enjoyed the author's use of rhyme and repetition. I really liked the ending, it was humorous and perfectly suited the book. I'd recommend.

2011-12-29T11:05:00.001-06:00

Book Review #1280
Lili at Ballet by Rachel Isadora
Rating: two stars (out of four)

People who enjoy books about ballet might like this story more than I did. The pictures were nice and the text was okay, but I was a little bored while reading. I'd steer clear unless you were a fan of ballet picture books.

2011-12-29T10:59:00.002-06:00

Book Review #1279
Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book was fairly amusing but had a lot of bum humor, which wasn't surprising, based on the cover art and title. The illustrations were interesting to look at and added humor to the story, but I wasn't a huge fan. The rhyme was wordy throughout, but I feel like other people might enjoy this book more.

2011-12-29T10:53:00.001-06:00

Book Review #1278
Who Wants to be a Poodle, I Don't by Lauren Child
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I liked the humor in this story. The poodle’s aspirations andthoughts were funny and I appreciated how the story was told. The illustrationswere amusing, though there were a couple of pages that I thought the collagepieces were too close in color and they blended together. But overall, I enjoyed the artwork. I liked the alliteration throughout and theending was sweet. I would recommend.

2011-12-29T10:05:00.001-06:00

Book Review #1277
Skippyjon Jones Shapes Up by Judy Schachner
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This was cute. I liked the antics of Skippyjon as heposed throughout the board book. Even though this book was reallysimplistic in nature, the funny little pictures of Skippyjon as he incorporatedshapes with keeping IN shape accurately portrayed Skippyjon’shilarious personality and made the book enjoyable.

2011-12-29T10:02:00.002-06:00

Book Review #1276
Skippyjon Jones Up and Down by Judy Schachner
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I love how Judy Schachner took simplistic elements and made them into a cute board book that little children and adults could read and enjoy. While itwasn’t a full-blown story, it still had enough Skippyjon aspects that made thebook endearing.

2011-12-29T09:56:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1275
The Secret War by Matt Myklusch
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I thought this was more mature (writing-wise) and thrilling than the first book. I had contemplated whether or not I would read the second book...not because the first book was bad or anything like that, but because I was a little apathetic about the story's continuation. But this book definitely pulled me in and I (mostly) liked the development of the characters and plot.

Sure, there were parts that I found a little unrealistic, especially how Jack treated his friends and mentors. I didn't understand why Jack chose to conceal some secrets. There were other parts I wished had been developed better and I was unsure how everything was going to wrap up at the end. I didn't like the changes in Jack and thought some of his actions were misguided. I didn't see the progression of maturity or how he was able to handle certain tasks. I'm being vague because I don't want to give away any spoilers, but there was a major element of the plot that I felt was off. I didn't think it was trivial, but I felt like it was a little unrealistic for a 13 year old be be handling. Maybe that's just me though. I still thought it was a thrilling and engaging read. I would recommend if you had enjoyed the first book, but otherwise, I wouldn't seek out this series.

2011-12-28T13:47:00.001-06:00

Book Review #1274
Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella by James Mayhew
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This would probably delight young children who are big fans of ballerinas and fairy tales, but I wasn't overtly impressed. It was colorfully pink and girlish, which some children might love. The pictures were pretty nice, but I wasn't enthralled or anything like that. I probably wouldn't recommend because I was a little bored when reading it.

2011-12-28T13:24:00.003-06:00

Book Review #1273
The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I liked the twist that this story offered and while the story was more interesting then some, I didn’t think it wasthe most phenomenal thing I had read. It was fairly humorous and the pictureswere pretty entertaining, but I wasn’t captivated or anything like that. Iprobably wouldn’t recommend.

2011-12-28T13:14:00.001-06:00

Book Review #1272
Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This story is told in such a sweet way, you can’t help butsmile at the warm illustrations. It has a playful atmosphere and the rabbit isfun to watch as he scampers through the pages. It's an endearing story with cute pictures and a lovely ending.

2011-12-28T13:00:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1271
Perfect Square by Michael Hall
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This was a really sweet book. The message was endearing andI loved seeing the square’s realization as the story progressed. The ending wasperfect and it made me smile. I also loved how creative the square wasthroughout the pages. This was a simplistic, yet uplifting book. I wouldrecommend.

2011-12-28T12:56:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1270
Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg & Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, illustrated by Susan L. Roth
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I really liked the story. The illustrations were good tooand matched the story well. Another thing that I appreciated was the footnotes,they were informative. I’d recommend.

2011-12-28T12:46:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1269
Crazy Hair by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
Rating: two stars (out of four stars)

This book was really, really weird. I’m not sure if I couldtruly enjoy it because I couldn’t get over how bizarre it was. The ending waskind of random and I’m not sure I could say that I liked this book. I wouldonly recommend if you were a big fan of Neil Gaiman…because this book isn’t foreveryone.

2011-12-28T00:07:00.000-06:00

Book Reviews #1268
Skippyjon Jones: Class Action by Judy Schachner
Rating: three stars (out of four)

How can you not love the antics of the silly Siamese kittywho goes on all sorts of crazy adventures in his closet? Needless to say, thisbook was definitely entertaining and I listened to the audio CD that came withthe book and it was a great companion to the story! Judy Schachner read the book out loud andcreated different voices for all of the characters in the book. The singing washilarious as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would definitelyrecommend it.

2011-12-28T00:00:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1267
I'm Not. by Pam Smallcomb, illustrated by Robert Weinstock
Rating: two stars (out of four)

The cover for the book intrigued me. It was an interestingbook, had a fairly interesting story, but I wasn’t a huge fan. It had weirdillustrations, but I could see children liking them and thinking they wereentertaining. I might recommend.

2011-12-27T23:56:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1266
Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I picked up this book because of the sweet and soft feel ofthe cover. Also, I love reptiles and seeing the little turtle and boy made the book seem even more promising. And it was a cute story, I liked theillustrations and felt that they added to the story’s sweet countenance. Thelist of facts at the end was also informative. I would recommend.

2011-12-27T23:26:00.000-06:00

Book Review #1265
A Pet for Petunia by Paul Schmid
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book was pretty cute. It had fun pictures and anengaging story that kept me interested. I did feel like some of the dialoguewas a little presumptuous for younger readers, but I don’t think that willdetract too much from the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the ending. I’d recommend.

2011-08-25T12:33:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1264
Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was a historical story I had never heard of before. I enjoyed seeing the portrayal of this daring woman and her amazing stunt. This story didn't turn out exactly how I would have imagined, but it was told reastically and I appreciated that. It was a little bittersweet though, and that was a little sad. I still liked it though.

2011-08-25T07:44:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1263
Marty McQuire by Kate Messner, illustrated by Brian Floca
Rating: two stars (out of four)

From the first line of the book you definitely saw Marty's spunky personality! The first page made me laugh out loud and I loved how Marty's voice animated the story. There were some pretty comical lines throughout and I couldn't help but smile. My only major negative was that it was a super quick read. I wouldn't have minded it being longer. I feel like I read it in 30 minutes. The story was sweet and I liked seeing how Marty grew from her experiences. I'd recommend.

2011-08-24T19:43:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1262
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Rating: two stars (out of four)

The title is kind of lame, and I almost didn't read it because of the cheesy title. I was a big fan of the witty banter back and forth and some parts of the book made me laugh out loud. I also thought the characters were pretty well-fleshed out and developed. The story was interesting and wove in all the predicable we-can't-be-together-because-of-this-factor bla bla....the first 2 thirds of the book I immensely enjoyed. I thought it was funny and light-hearted and I was impressed with Anna for seeing she needed to be a friend and that she kept her distance and restrained herself.

Then things slid a little and some things were taken too far (for my standards). And that's when I became disappointed with the characters. I was disappointed in Anna because of the choices she made. I was also disappointed in some of the relationships and how they worked/turned out/were dealt with. The friendships and squabbles near the end of the book kind of bugged me because I felt like they weren't realistic and didn't fit in with the earlier parts of the book at all. I was annoyed with the turn the story had taken.

I was also disappointed in how St. Claire acted. My musings while reading: "Really? You're going to do that?" It made him seem a whole lot less perfect because of the decisions he made and how he treated people. In the beginning I was totally charmed with him, but by the end of the book he had definitely lost a lot of his luster and I wasn't sure I liked him any more. As far as objectional content, in heated scenes people would swear and there's also some sexual content/conversations. It wasn't enough to make me hate the book or anything like that, I just didn't think it was necessary and was slightly annoying.

While this book did have some perks, I was disappointed after the good buildup and I just wished that the people had lived up to their potential. I can't stress how much I wished they had made better choices and done things differently. Sure, it would have made the book shorter, and sure it wouldn't have been as exciting - but I felt like parts of their character were lost and they weren't able to completely regain my trust. Bleh, not a fan.

2011-08-24T12:27:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1261
Mice Squeak, We Speak by Tomie dePaola
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was a pretty interesting story. I liked the animation and all the different sounds the animals made. The text was simple, but still had a rhyme and cadence. I might recommend for families who like books about different animals noises.

2011-08-24T05:55:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1260
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This book cracked me up! The little dust bunnies were crazy and animated. The illustrations were fun and colorful. It's crazy to say, but there were even some twists in this picture book. I wasn't sure where it was going to go from the first couple of pages, but then when I picked up on Bob's proclamations I couldn't help but smile. The antics of the other dust bunnies and their rhyming ways were comical as well. I think kids will get a kick out of this book! I'd recommend.

2011-08-23T17:24:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1259
The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies by Ammi-Joan Paquette, illustrated by Christa Unzner
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I really liked the fairy animations. I'm not sure how I felt about mixing photography and illustrated fairies...it felt a little disjointed, especially whenever there were pictures of real kids. I was amused by the playful expressions of the fairies, but the story wasn't as engaging as the little illustrated creatures. It was okay, but not quite up to my usual fantasy snuff.

2011-08-23T13:06:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1258
Surprise Island by Rob M. Worley, illustrated by Mike Dubisch
Rating: zero stars (out of four)

There were some major problems with this book. The dialogue was stiff and disorganized. I felt like the people weren't speaking properly and it really bugged me. The story didn't make much sense and I didn't see the overall plot or story structure - it just felt like a bunch of random snippets thrown together. I also wasn't impressed with the illustrations. This book needed some major editing and the characters were very flat and uninteresting. I have fond memories of reading the Box Car series, but this does not live up to those standards at all.

2011-08-23T07:17:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1257
My Face Book
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This was a pretty cute board book. I thought the kids they picked were absolutely adorable. I did feel like there was a couple of faces that were similar (like Happy, Laughing, and Awake) but it was a short and sweet read.

2011-08-22T18:30:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1256
It All Began with a Bean by Katie Mcky, illustrated by Tracy Hill
Rating: one star (out of four)

I'm just not a big fan of bathroom/crude humor and this book was all about farts. I didn't find the story very humorous and the illustrations were lame. The story was simple and didn't catch my attention. Other people might like this book, but it wasn't for me.

2011-08-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1255
Is A Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz, illustrated by
Marie LeTourneau
Rating: one star (out of four)

I wasn't really impressed with this book. The illustrations were a little rough/odd/freakish and I didn't care for their portrayal of Worry. Actually, I kind of didn't like any of the illustrations really. I also found a couple of their worries a little ridiculous instead of humorous. I liked the concept, but I didn't think it was well executed. It was okay, but I wouldn't go around recommending it anytime soon though.

2011-08-22T06:54:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1254
Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Chad Cameron
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I enjoyed this book. The mix-ups were amusing and whimsical. I think by far my favorite page was one with the squirrels flying south. The rhymes were well done and I didn't feel like the text was over the top. The illustrations were also nice and did a nice job of blending the warm colors of fall into a nice palate that was still interesting to look at. If you're a fan of Fall weather and interactive books you might want to check this out.

2011-08-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1253
Charley Harper's Book of Colors by Charley Harper
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I really liked the illustrations for this book. Each page was unique and featured stylized visuals that were colorful and modern. I also liked the use of repetition and patterns throughout the book. I'm not really sure what the text has to do with the story, but I just enjoyed looking at the pictures. A fun read.

2011-08-21T08:51:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1252
Legacy by Cayla Kluver
Rating: one star (out of four)

There was too much backstory! I kept waiting for the guy (aka, the love interest, who the main character was waiting for...so her life could be complete) to show up...and he did, around page 150. I also felt like some of the story elements didn't add up and I wasn't really following the plot. I didn't understand some of the character's actions, they were stiff and disjointed.

I also couldn't catergorize the relationship between Alera and her personal guard. It was weird. I also thought some of the more "romantic" scenes were slightly maudlin, or maybe they just bugged me because every time I read through one of those scenes I said, "Ugh, cliche word choices." Some of the writing bothered me as well, it felt a little juvenile at times. I won't be reading the next books in this series.

2011-08-20T16:46:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1251
Witchlanders by Lena Coakley
Rating: two stars (out of four)

When I read the first couple of chapters I kept saying to myself: "I think I'm going to love this book...." but then it tapered off. I loved the fantasy elements of it and it reminded me of what I've been missing lately. What with all these dystopias and urban fantasies that have taken over my to-read pile. This was exactly the sort of book that I hoped would be positively refreshing and full of magical elements. And it was full of magic...but the story just didn't pull me in as much as I would have liked.

The premise is great. It reminds me of a cross between Sabriel by Garth Nix and the Bayern series by Shannon Hale. But I really wanted more development of the red witches and their powers. I wanted a deeper look into the beliefs of the two different countries and their people. The story was interesting, but I felt like something was missing. There were parts of the story that I found unengaging and random, but for the most part I was caught up in the story. I might recommend, but I wouldn't go out of my way to shove this book in your face or anything like that. It was a little bit of a letdown, sad to say.

2011-08-20T10:12:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1250
Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Rating: zero stars (out of four)

*Sigh* What can I even begin to say about this book? The cover looked so intriguing, I loved the faery-esque clothing and startling red hair that turned to flames....it looked so good.

And then I started reading the book. Totally did NOT live up to the cover's expectations. I didn't find the characters believable and I often wondered at their mental states. I didn't get why the Furies were in our world and got to decide who needed punishment and who didn't. I also Did Not Agree With Their Punishment Methods. Most were overly cruel/scary/humiliating/and disturbing.

I thought Chase was an almost worthless character. I never cared for him and felt he was extremely underdeveloped. I didn't like him one bit. His personality and how he acted just made him the kind of guy I would never want to be associated with, much less read about. I also thought he was stupid because he kept going against his better judgement and trusting certain people who the reader could see were Clearly not to be trusted. I didn't like the shallowness of the characters. I kept thinking, are you really going to portray all the teenagers in lump stereotypes? I saw some dimensionality, but for the most part I was just annoyed whenever any of the guys opened their mouths (except for J.D.).

Now, let's talk about the content for a little bit shall we? R-rated language, R-rated sexual content, and definitely a lot of disturbing images ladled in for good measure. It was a bit much. I was expecting a fairly light-hearted read with elements of the fantastical and strange, but this was Very dark. The ending picked up and the last several chapters felt like a speeding train heading for broken tracks over a bridge. I just didn't understand how these girls had the power to influence so many people and why they spent their time handing out justice to whoever they pleased. Also, there was some parts that weren't developed at all. Why was that one girl (drat, I forgot her name, but she was the random girl with all the answers) so cryptic in her help and where did she get her information? Hm? That was not explained.

My reaction to the ending: What? That's how you're going to end it? In that UnSatisfying Way? Ugh. Ugh. Total waste of my time. I'm not sure why I finished it.

As you can probably imagine, I will not be reading the second. I would advise you to do the same.

2011-08-19T23:37:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1249
Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans
Rating: one star (out of four)

This book was disturbing.

I'm fine with reading dark books, but there was just a little too much violence, or maybe it was the way it was used that sent me over the edge. It wasn't super gritty or graphic - but the cavalier manner in which violence was portrayed throughout the story just bugged me. Now I didn't hate this book or anything like that. I was just left with a bad taste in my mouth after I finished it. I didn't believe the development of the characters and I felt like it was an action movie more than a young adult novel. The characters weren't engaging and I almost put the book down several times while reading. Even though it ended with the set up for a sequel, I know I won't be reading it. This book was too little unsettling. I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't like it, but I wasn't a fan.

2011-08-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1248
Leonardo's Monster by Jane Sutcliffe, illustrated by Herb Leonhard
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I had never heard this legend of Leonardo's life before. The ending was a little abrupt, partially because I had wanted to see what was on the shield. I did like how the book hinted that maybe the monster was still out there, but I wasn't overtly impressed with this book. I might recommend if you were a fan of Da Vinci books.

2011-08-09T11:28:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1247
Mama's Bayou by Dianne de Las Casas, illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I loved the cut paper illustrations! They totally made this book. The animals were portrayed beautifully, there was an animated spark to their features even though they were pretty realistic. I liked that they weren't overly cartoonish. The story was pretty sweet, and I can definitely see this as a bed time story. I would recommend this book.

2011-08-09T10:34:00.003-05:00

Book Review #1246
Ella Bella Ballerina and The Sleeping Beauty by James Mayhew
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I really liked the illustations in this book. The people were soft and wispy. The hues were shades of pink and purple with splashes of other colors. It was pretty entertaining, but not one of the best retellings I've read. I think little girls who love princess stories and ballerinas might enjoy this book.

FOREVER Winner Announcement!

2011-08-08T20:03:00.001-05:00

First off, a huge THANKS to all who entered my first giveaway! I had over 200 entries! And since this giveaway went so well, I've signed up to do 2 more giveaway hops. So be sure to come back and check my giveaway page for more details about those....but now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

(cue exciting music....)

The winner of the ARC of Forever by Maggie Stiefvater is:

Kris @ Imaginary Reads!

Congrats!

2011-07-30T19:41:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1245
Where's Walrus by Stephen Savage
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I really liked this book. The illustrations were fun and amusing. The walrus and his antics kept me turning the page to see where he was hiding next. I also liked the style of the pages and how neat and sleek everything looked. It felt modern and timeless at the same time. It also reminded me of books I had read as a child. I would definitely recommend this book.

2011-07-30T19:18:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1244
The Boy in the Garden by Allen Say
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I liked seeing how the story the boy heard from his mother came into play with his imagination. Even though I liked the story, I still felt like something was missing and it wasn't my favorite of Allen Say's books. The illustrations were still beautiful and I loved the scenery of the garden and the detail. I would probably recommend.

2011-07-30T19:14:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1243
Six Crows by Leo Lionni
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book had a simple message of peace. It seemed a little forced, but might still provide entertainment for children. I thought the illustrations were fairly nice, but I didn't care very much for the overall story. I probably wouldn't recommend unless you loved Lionni's work.

2011-07-30T14:44:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1242
Trouble in the Barkers' Class by Tomie dePaola
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was a good book with a positive message about making friends. I thought Tomie did a good job of portraying a difficult situation and providing a solution children could learn from. Even though this offers a good lesson it was well blended with the story and the illustrations and didn't feel like a lesson. I would probably recommend this book.

2011-07-30T14:25:00.002-05:00

Book Review #1241
How Murray Saved Christmas by Mike Reiss, illustrated by David Catrow
Rating: one star (out of four)

The rhyme scheme for this book was pretty good and I definitely thought some of the rhymes were clever, but I didn't enjoy the overall story. I felt like I had already heard it somewhere else. I think other people might enjoy this book more than I did, but it wasn't for me.

2011-07-30T14:14:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1240
If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was an amusing story, if not a little far-fetched. I thought it was interesting to see how each activity reminded the pig of something else Completely Different and that the little girl put up with his craziness. The illustrations were pretty cute. I'd recommend if you were a fan of pigs.

2011-07-30T14:02:00.003-05:00

Book Review #1239
Tillie and the Wall by Leo Lionni
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book was a little boring. I found the plot predictable (not that I knew what was on the other side of the wall, but I knew Tillie would find it.) The ending wasn't surprising and I felt like the story was kind of bland. I would only recommend reading if you were a die-hard Lionni fan.

2011-07-30T13:54:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1238
Merry Un-Christmas by Mike Reiss, illustrated by David Catrow
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I enjoyed this book. The premise was funny and I definitely think children will enjoy seeing Christmas from a different perspective. The illustrations were comical and endearing. The ending was my favorite part. I'd recommend this book.

2011-07-27T22:18:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1237
Tony's Bread by Tomie dePaola
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was a fairly entertaining read. There were a couple of parts I found a little ridiculous, but they didn't bother me too much. I also thought the story was a bit random, but still enjoyable. And of course, I always like Tomie's illustrations. I'd recommend, especially if you like reading Italian folklore.

2011-07-27T21:56:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1236
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell, illustrated by David Catrow
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This book made me smile! I loved Molly Lou Melon's personality and how she took everything in stride because of what her Grandmother had told her. I also LOVED David Catrow's illustrations - they were hilarious and perfect for this sweet little story. The message and characters in this book were a delight. I would definitely recommend!

2011-07-27T16:17:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1235
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
Rating: four stars (out of four)

How can you not love this fun and hilarious book about the major dilemma of sharing ice cream? But seriously, I loved the antics of Elephant and all his thoughts and decisions about whether or not he should share with Piggie. I'm always amused by Mo Willem's books and this was no exception - his books are immensely entertaining. The end was comical as well and I had to laugh. I would definitely recommend this book!

2011-07-27T16:10:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1234
Shortcut by David Macaulay
Rating: one star (out of four)

This book was confusing. I know it's supposed to be a fun and light-hearted look at cause and effect, but I don't think children will get it. I may have given up too quickly, but after one read I was just not impressed and didn't feel like it was worth my time to pick it up again. This book wasn't for me. I wouldn't recommend.

2011-07-21T20:01:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1233
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This story was wacky and amusing. I loved the little chick's enthusiasm for storytelling, even if he did interrupt too much. The different illustrations were also enjoyable and I liked seeing how the chick would change the story each time. I found this book funny, but I wasn't totally in love with it. I was just a tad bit surprised to see that it had won a Caldecott. I would still recommend though.

2011-07-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

Book Review #1232
The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was a pretty good book. I really liked the concept of looking at Mark Twain from the point of view of his daughter, Susy. Her notes on her father and what she thought people should know about him were often entertaining and insightful. I also liked the little notebooks with journal entries from Susy's biography. The pictures were fun as well. I'd recommend if you were a Mark Twain fan.

2011-07-17T21:59:00.002-05:00

Book Review #1231
If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
Rating: two stars (out of four)

The illustrations for this book were cute. I liked the animated little cat and his bouncy personality that seemed to fly across the page because of all his excitement. The story seemed a little far-fetched, but I still enjoyed seeing the antics of the characters. I was also amazed that the girl put up with this demanding kitty! But it is definitely a book I think kids would enjoy. I would recommend.

2011-07-17T21:48:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1230
If You Give an Author a Pencil by Laura Numeroff
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was different than I expected. It wasn't as informative as imagined because it was written in a format that children could read and understand. I thought it did a good job of giving a snapshot of a writer's life and how the whole writing process looked, even if it was brief. I also appreciated that Laura mentioned how many times she had to submit a manuscript before it got published or even if the publisher rejected it. There were a lot of photos as well and those were fun to look at. I might recommend for fans of Laura Numeroff.

2011-07-17T21:32:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1229
Ribbit Rabbit by Candace Ryan, illustrated by Mike Lowery
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was a fairly cute children's book. I liked the word play throughout the story and how the two friends interacted. The drawings were whimsical and colorful, but not so busy they were distracting. The story is pretty typical for kids, something they could read and see in illustrated in their own life. It also has a good message of forgiving and not letting things get in the way of your friendship. I might recommend.

2011-07-17T20:00:00.002-05:00

Book Review #1228
Tomie dePaola's Mother Goose by Tomie dePaola
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I loved the illustrations throughout this book. Tomie dePaola has such a way of illustrating characters which exude sweetness. His pictures have a softness about them that I love. I also like how he can portray humor on any face. It was nice to see his drawings paired with nursery rhymes. Some of the rhymes were different than what I grew up with, but it was just a slightly different translation or wording. I enjoyed looking through this book and I would recommend it.

2011-07-16T19:51:00.003-05:00

Book Review #1227
Let's Make Rabbits by Leo Lionni
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was a fun little book. The story was very simplistic, but still sweet. I enjoyed seeing the different art medias interacting through the two rabbits. It felt like a very short read though, but that's probably because the story line was so simple. I might still recommend to Lionni fans.

2011-07-16T19:37:00.001-05:00

Book Review #1226
Chalk by Bill Thomson
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I thought the illustrations for this book were marvelous and realistic. I could see the children's faces so well and I knew exactly what they were thinking. There weren't any words in this picture book and you didn't need any because the pictures expressed everything so well. I loved the interaction between the children and their crazy day. It felt like a brief, magical snapshot of a child's imagination. I would definitely recommend.

2011-07-13T22:44:00.012-05:00

Book Review #1222
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I was excited to read this series because I knew a lot of people who had read it and loved it. But I'm just not seeing the hype. I'm not completely engrossed in the story and I'm not in love with the characters. It might be just me, but I think the biggest issue I have with this series is Sam and Grace's relationship.

Another thing that really bothered me. What was up with the whole connection between Cole and Isabel? What? Really? It didn't make any sense. Why couldn't they seem to control their emotions - or a better question, why did they have this connection when they didn't even know each other? Come on, that's supposed to make me happy? It didn't. I was frustrated with all of their interactions together.

Also, I wasn't a fan of how Grace disregarded her parent's authority to be with her Soul Mate because she "figured" she knew best and her parents were good for nothing. Um, really? Just because you have faulty parents doesn't mean you can make up your own mind and do whatever you want. Especially if your parents start to shape up and start acting more like parents. I know some of their expectations and rules for Grace were a little unrealistic, but they were still the authority figures in her life and it really bothered me how easily she discarded their judgements and deemed for herself what was right. She's just a teenager! I didn't like how Grace treated her parents. And all for a boy! Sure, I wasn't a big fan of the parents, but I also thought Grace was way out of line with some of her actions.

And then Grace and Sam's complicated relationship...do we really have to have so much drama about how Grace and Sam need to be together? It got on my nerves. It might be a little while before I read the last one...

2011-07-12T20:40:00.030-05:00

Book Review #1221
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I had been meaning to read this book for a while because of the reviews I had seen on Goodreads. So when I finally sat down to read it, I made sure I had a decent amount of time so I could speed through it. Sadly though, I wasn't as big of a fan as I thought I'd be. I know some people will be annoyed with me saying this, but it reminded me of a werewolf version of Twilight. Yeah, some of you are cringing and shooting me death glares - sorry! Let me explain: Yes, I thought it had better writing then Twilight, yes, I thought there were original and thought-provoking ideas in this book, and yes, I liked it better than Twilight. But I definitely was Not In Love With It.

I thought there were some things that didn't make much sense. Like at the very beginning of the book where the wolf is stalking her? Um, wouldn't most people find that Creepy? Grace didn't. And her incident with the wolves when she was a little girl? I just couldn't see how her reaction could be so subdued! She should have Major Mental Issues from that kind of situation, but she didn't. That did not fly for me.

I think though, the biggest thing that got on my nerves was how entirely devoted Sam and Grace were to each other. I didn't feel there was enough justification in the story to show how they had become so attached. I kind of felt like it was Kabam-We-Are-Now-Instantly-In-Love-And-Need-To-Be-Together-Forever-Or-We-Will-Die kind of relationship. I wasn't buying it. I wanted more depth with their attraction besides the fact that Grace had an unhealthy obsession with wolves and Sam had an unhealthy obsession with Grace.

As far as other negatives, there was one scene involving sexual content that I did not think was necessary and wished had been left out.

Okay, conclusion? Even though there were several things I didn't like in this book, I still found it enjoyable and sped through the story. Unfortunately, I didn't like it enough to add to any of my favorite shelves or go around telling all my friends that they Had to read it. I am still interested to see how things will work out in the next two books.

2011-07-11T19:38:00.007-05:00

Book Review #1220
The Jewel and the Key by Louise Spiegler
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I really liked the cover of this book - but it was totally different from what I was expecting. The historical elements were pretty well done, but I never felt fully drawn into the story. I would have liked a better connection with Addie. I saw all the things that happened to her, but I didn't really have any feelings for her. The romantic elements felt a little forced, but it didn't bother me too much - kind of because I was a little apathetic towards the story. I wasn't a big fan of the ending, I wanted more closure, something to grasp, but the author chose to take a different approach. Even though I didn't love this book, I might still recommend to people who like this genre. It just wasn't for me.

2011-07-09T23:30:00.068-05:00

Book Review #1218
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Rating: four stars (out of four)

My initial thoughts after I finished the book:

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!

Okay, sorry, I just had to get that out of my system. But really. I just don't know what to feel right now. It's 1am in the morning and I just finished this novel. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight. My mind keeps spinning. I gasped while reading the book and was shocked at some of the revelations and had to text my friend with updates (she told me I had to read the book) and now I know why. Oh my goodness. My head, my head, my head. Dystopia fiction makes my head spin. But it's the best kind of dizziness. The kind I can't get enough of...

Be Brave!

After thoughts:

From the very first page I was hooked. I sped through the book like my life depended on it. I was COMPLETELY fascinated with the different factions and their habits and people. I absorbed everything I could from the pages and read late into the night because I couldn't stand NOT knowing how it ended. By the time I was done, I was nearly breathless. Needless to say, I'll be anxious to get my hands on the next book. Not that I'm saying it left readers in a lurch or anything like that - it ended well enough, but I want to read more about these characters I now love.

The society was unique and different from other books I had read, I felt like the different cliches were well thought out and realistic. I also liked realizing things right as Tris realized them, or a little sooner. There were several plot twists that I didn't see coming and completely amazed me when I read them. Sometimes I would talk out loud while I was reading (in the privacy of my own home, of course). Example: "Oh no! I can't believe I didn't realize that before - thatmeansACK!"

There were some things that I did find a little disturbing. Some of the violence in the book was graphic...not that I felt sick or completely repulsed, but a couple of times I gasped in shock and had to read through some paragraphs quickly. There were also some situations that would have made me uncomfortable if I had to see them instead of read them. I kept thinking, "Drat, if this was a movie, I don't think I'd be able to stomach this part...." and I'm a little anxious because I've read stuff online that said it MIGHT BECOME a movie....which I would TOTALLY want to see, but I'd be nervous about the violence.

As much as I loved this book, it still doesn't take the place of The Hunger Games. I would definitely recommend it as Turn To Next In Dystopian Fiction after you've finished the HG. I loved the plot, the twists, the characters and their emotion depth. The story was crazy and thrilling. If you haven't read Divergent and you're a fan of Dystopias you should DEFINITELY pick this book up. Prepare for your mind to be blown away.

Additional Bonus Backstory!:
I had remotely seen this book around and I had it on my to-read list, but I just wasn't sure when I was going to get around to it. While at ALA conference VERONICA ROTH was sitting at a little table SIGNING and my friend, Karly convinced me we both needed to buy the book and get it signed. Karly said she had seen it all over the Internet and Publishers Weekly and it was getting great reviews. Then she mentioned it was a dystopian novel, and I was instantly intrigued. So I bought the hardback for $10 and got it signed. Veronica wrote, BE BRAVE! on my copy (and now I know what THAT means.) After reading the front flap I was really excited to read it. Karly read it before me and told me I HAD TO READ IT NEXT OR ELSE. (I hadn't gotten around because I had just gotten home from an 8-week-long internship and I hadn't read anything for 2 months). And, well, you know the rest, because you just read my review!

2011-07-09T18:30:00.085-05:00

Book Review #1217
My Misadventures as a Teenage Rock Star by Joyce Raskin, illustrated by Carol Chu
Rating: two stars (out of four)

Though this book is marketed as a young adult novel, I often felt like the voice of the main character, Alex, was a little immature sounding. In the beginning, I thought Alex sounded a lot younger based on how she talked and her emotions. Parts of the book seemed random and under-developed. I didn't see how Alex could take things so easily. Sure, she cries for several weeks, but then she's over it - and this happens in the space of about 2 pages.

This book needed more depth. It seemed like an outline of a more interesting story, but it wasn't fleshed out enough. I also thought she "learned" things far too quickly. How long did she play the Bass before she was playing on stage? I don't know, but it felt like it was in 3 pages, which just didn't fly. I also thought she got over some things too fast, and her "well, my parents know best so even though I was annoyed with them at the time, I can see things from their point of view now" adage was a forced and unnatural at times.

I also didn't really believe some of the prejudices against a girl playing guitar. I don't think the stereotype is that bad today, and I thought it was annoying how many times Alex ranted about people treating her differently because she was a girl. It was also hard for me to believe that all of these things happened while she was still fourteen! It seemed like a long jump with character/plot development and not enough pages describing how or why it happened. The ending was a bit of a let down. I didn't realize it was the ending until I flipped the page and there was no more story. That was weird. I can kind of see what the author was trying to do, but I would have liked more closure.

There were some aspects of the book that I did like. I appreciated that the main character steered clear of drugs and drinking. She was fairly young and hung out with other people who did those kinds of things but she never let them talk her into doing that behavior. She had principles and she stuck to them. I also liked her friend Sal and the positive image she portrayed.

I did feel like elements of the book might be considered "preachy." I feel like other readers might find these annoying, and there were a couple of parts I found irritating. While I thought there were some positive messages in this book, I still felt like this story only barely touched the surface of Alex and her rock star life and I can't say that I'd recommend it to others.

2011-07-09T18:28:00.029-05:00

Book Review #1216
Hound Dog True by Linda Urban
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I loved the beginning of this story. The smooth and slow style of the narration felt like books I had read before and loved. I didn't care for the rest of the story though. It was like something was missing, or that the book wasn't going deep enough. I felt like the story only skimmed the surface of Mattie's emotions and depth. I wanted more, but the story just ended after giving the reader a quick taste.

It was really short. I think I read the entire book in 45 minutes. The characters were spunky and life-like, I just didn't think they were developed enough for the kind of story I was anticipating. I loved the vocabulary of Uncle Potluck. I could kind of glimpse what the author was going for with her story, but she didn't reach it. It was a little bit of a letdown. I probably wouldn't recommend.

2011-07-08T18:26:00.022-05:00

Book Review #1215
Sass and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler
Rating: two stars (out of four)

The first couple of chapters had me laughing out loud at the witty banter and I was excited to read what else was in store. Unfortunately, the story didn't live up to those first chapters. I liked that it was a modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility, but sometimes the characters got on my nerves. I thought the interaction between the sisters was a little too dramatic, I wasn't sure how they functioned if there main relationship was Not Getting Along All The Time. I wanted the younger sister to grow up. I wanted the older sister to chill out. There was definitely some drama going on in this book.

S P O I L E R W A R N I N G

I was also surprised with the ending. I felt like it was a little rushed and I was a little weirded out with how the relationships played out. I didn't feel like there was enough development for things to end like that and I was disappointed.

E ND O F S P O I L E R

All in all, it was a fairly enjoyable read, there were some parts that I felt were unrealistic and forced, but it was interesting to see how the author interpreted this classic into a modern story. I might recommend if you were a big fan of Austen retellings, but if you're looking for a fun and light-hearted read, I'd pass on this novel.

2011-07-06T18:23:00.056-05:00

Book Review #1214
Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray
Rating: zero stars (out of four)

What's the one word that I had ringing through my head after I read this book?

Disturbing.

I did not like the ending. I didn't like the way people behaved. I didn't like the violence. I didn't like the romance between Ophelia and Hamlet. Basically, there were a lot of things I wished had been different.

The first part of this book was a completely different pace than the second half, which seemed to whip by. I thought there was too of the crazy relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet. I didn't see why there had to be so much build up, I get that they're crazy about each other, can we move on? I was tired of hearing Ophelia rant about Hamlet, I just wanted them to stop thinking of the other person. I got a little sick of the constant love/hate/love/hate turmoil between them.

I think the reason this book was so disturbing to me was because of the drastic results of corruption and the amount of people who got hurt. I just wanted the corruption to stop. I didn't see why everything had to happen like that. I know it's based on the Shakespeare play, Hamlet (and I admit that my recollection of that plot is not good) but I did not like this interpretation. I didn't like the destruction of the characters and the conclusion. I don't want to go into great details because I don't want to add any spoilers, but I just did not like the ending at all! It wasn't necessary and I felt like there wasn't a point to the story after I had finished reading it. I read the entire book to have some sort of satisfying conclusion or a moment of peace - but there was absolutely nothing and I was just left with that depressing finale. Totally Not Satisfying.

Uh, well, so much for spoiler free...
Be warned, there might be S P O I L E R S in the next section.

I also thought it was unrealistic how much the book relied on Ophelia and all the people that loved her. Near the end I felt like practically everyone had been driven to madness because of Ophelia. I also didn't understand how the people in Denmark didn't think it was remotely strange that the queen remarried her husband's brother 2 months after he died! What? And why didn't the DDI investigate why the king died so suddenly or notice how a lot of people were covering key facts and information? But as soon as everybody is dead they start questioning Ophelia? Really? I didn't care for those sections of the book at all. The questioning seemed like an added filler to the story, and I didn't think it really helped move the plot along.

End of the S P O I L E R S

I didn't appreciate the sexual content in this book. Needless to say, I would not recommend this book.

2011-06-10T18:12:00.012-05:00

Book Review #1211
Small Saul by Ashley Spires
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I really enjoyed this book! I laughed at Saul's antics and his crazy pirate ways. I also loved the illustrations. This was a fun read! The ending was great and I was happy Saul finally found where he belonged and that the other pirates came around to his way of thinking....at least, a little. I'd definitely recommend.

2011-06-10T18:07:00.002-05:00

Book Review #1210
Cendrillon: A Cajun Cinderella by Sheila Heberts Collin, illustrated by Patrick Soper
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book was okay, I thought it did a good job of portraying the cinderella story from a different perspective, but it didn't completely hold my attention. The illustrations were nice, but not astounding. I might recommend if you were a fan of different fairy tale renditions.

2011-06-10T15:34:00.008-05:00

Book Review #1209
My Aunt Came Back From Louisiane by Johnette Downing
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book was okay. The illustrations were a nice concept, but I wasn't the biggest fan of these collages. I did think the story did a decent job of describing typical traits of Louisiana. I might recommend.

2011-06-10T15:31:00.012-05:00

Book Review #1208
The Cajun Cornbread Boy by Dianne de Las Casas, illustrated by Marita Gentry
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This was an interesting take on the gingerbread boy story. I thought it did a good job of blending Cajun elements with the original tale into something different and amusing. The illustrations were fun, kids will probably enjoy them. I didn't expect the ending of the story though. I would recommend if you liked books about Cajun culture.

2011-06-10T15:29:00.010-05:00

Book Review #1207
Instructions by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Charles Vess
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I really liked the concept of fitting in advice from every fairy tale into one book, but I kind of felt like there was a little something missing in this tale. I wanted more interaction between the reader and the story. I might have liked more action, but I still thought the flow of this story was done well and I appreciated the style it was told in. I would recommend for diehard fans of Neil Gaiman and those in love with fairy tales.

2011-06-10T15:27:00.021-05:00

Book Review #1206
The North Star by Peter H. Reynolds
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I liked the concept of this book, but I'm not sure young children would get the point. Even so, I still enjoyed it and how it wanted to inspire children and encourage them to do what they really want to do. I picked it up because I'm a big fan of Peter H. Reynolds and I can't get enough of his illustrations. The story was a little ethereal, but still engaging enough that kids will enjoy. I would recommend.

2011-06-05T15:26:00.012-05:00

Book Review #1204
I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This book made me smile. I love how Mo Willems can create such loveable characters and stories! I also love his endings because I never quite see them coming and I'm always delighted and amused. I love Elephant and Piggie and all of their crazy antics. I would definitely recommend this book and all the rest in the series.

2011-06-05T15:24:00.007-05:00

Book Review #1203
You're Finally Here! by Melanie Watt
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book was cute...there were a couple of times where I thought the rabbit was a little annoying, but I think kids will probably think it's funny. The illustations were interesting. I liked the different ways the bunny showed his distain with waiting. The ending was a little random. I felt like it was a little disjointed from the rest of the book, but I might still recommend.

2011-06-05T15:23:00.003-05:00

Book Review #1202
The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Lynne Avril
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I liked the message of this book and I think it did a good job of portraying what a child might do in the same situation. I also liked how it was based on the author's life. The illustrations were playful and I enjoyed the ending. The book wasn't what I expected, based from the cover and title, but it was still a fun read.

2011-06-05T15:18:00.012-05:00

Book Review #1201
Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell
Rating: four stars (out of four)

I loved this book. I thought it did an excellent job of portraying a remarkable woman and still related her to the readers in a simplistic and engaging way. I adored the illustrations and especially loved the included the artwork from Jane that drew when she was a girl. I also enjoyed seeing photos of Jane bookmarking the story. I almost get teary-eyed when I read it. I would definitely recommend this book - it's so sweet and does an excellent job of illustrating the childhood of a well-loved environmentalist.

Update 7/12/11: I bought this book at ALA Conference and had it signed by the author!

2011-06-05T15:16:00.003-05:00

Book Review #1200
Pirates Don't Change Diapers by Melinda Long and David Shannon
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book was humorous and I enjoyed the pirate banter and funky illustrations. I liked how hard the pirates worked to keep the little baby entertained...even though they didn't always help. If you're a fan of pirates you should check this book out.

2011-06-05T15:13:00.007-05:00

Book Review #1199
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, and illustrated by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin
Rating: two stars (out of four)

The concept for this story was good - but I wasn't a huge fan of the book. I liked the illustrations and how diverse the characters were, but I felt like something was lacking. Maybe the book just needed some more depth, because we're offered snapshots of what a princess can do and not much character development. It was a decent read, but I won't be buying this book anytime soon.

2011-06-05T15:09:00.011-05:00

Book Review #1198
Art and Max by David Wiesner
Rating: four stars (out of four)

I loved this book. I was enamored with the reptiles and all the detail put into each animal. I enjoyed seeing the battling personalities of the two lizards and how they could each look at something and see two totally different images. And I'll admit it, I was a little scared in the middle because I wasn't sure how on earth things were going to work out - but I loved the concept. I would definitely recommend this book.

2011-06-05T15:01:00.008-05:00

Book Review #1197
Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator! by Mo Willems
Rating: four stars (out of four)

I don't know how Mo willems does it - but I find all of his books simply enchanting and hilarious. This book was no exception. I loved the little stuffed aligator and his funky personality. I also loved Mo's trademark illustrations and how easily he captured my attention and actually made me laugh out loud as I was reading. I especially adored this book and would recommend it to anyone.

Update 7/12/11: When I attended ALA Conference I bought this book and had Mo Willems sign it! He's just as hilarious in person.

2011-06-05T14:59:00.006-05:00

Book Review #1196
Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This book was really cute. I liked the schedule Mister Bud stuck too every day and it made me laugh. I also loved the illustrations and the interaction between the two dogs. I'm not a dog person, but I really enjoyed this book - so that's saying a lot. The story was really sweet, I would definitely recommend.

2011-06-05T14:57:00.003-05:00

Book Review #1195
Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown
Rating: three stars (out of four)

This book was hilarious. I loved, loved, loved the illustrations. They were simplistic and yet sophisticated. I really enjoyed seeing Beatrice try to make a child her pet and how things worked out...for a while. The message was funny and I thought the ending was great. I would definitely recommend this book.

2011-06-05T14:54:00.006-05:00

Book Review #1194
You Are What You Eat: and Other Mealtime Hazards by Serge Bloch
Rating: two stars (out of four)

This book was humorous. I liked the blend of food expressions and funky illustrations and how they created a whimsical book devoted to trying new things. I think children will enjoy the illustrations and parents will like the message. I'd recommend.

2011-06-05T14:51:00.007-05:00

Book Review #1193
Confederate Alphabet by Rickey E. Pittman, illustrated by Jane Duplechin
Rating: two stars (out of four)

I thought it did a nice job of alphabetizing the confederate side, but I still wasn't a huge fan of the book. The illustrations were pretty good, but I don't think this is a book people need to read over and over.

2011-06-05T14:31:00.007-05:00

Book Review #1192
The Picky Little Witch by Elizabeth Brokamp, illustrated by Marsha Riti
Rating: three stars (out of four)

I thought this was a cute book about a picky little witch and her discovery of trying new things. I especially thought it was funny seeing how alike the mother and daughter were. The ingredients for the stew were humorous and I enjoyed the rhyming. I also enjoyed the twist halfway through the story when the tables were turned on the mother witch. I would definitely recommend.