A Girl Named Disaster

A Girl Named Disaster is another Nancy Farmer novel, and another great one at that. If you scroll down a little bit, you will be able to see that I did a review on 'The House of the Scorpion', another amazing tale by Nancy farmer. Unlike the House of the Scorpion, this novel is not Sci-Fi, and it is more of an adventure story. It is about a girl named Nhamo (Disaster) whom finds out that she must marry a cruel man with three wives before her twelfth birthday. With her mother dead and her father gone, Nhamo decides to run away. On board of a stolen boat in uncharted territory of the river, Nhamo is bound to run into a bunch of things, and a bunch of things to happen that would make a.) her life considerably shorter or b.) return her to the treacherous reality of her village. Which of both Nhamo do not wish to happen. A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer is another novel that I recommend to people who like realistic fiction and adventure fiction. As a heroine that has quite a lot of resilience to keep living in the great wilderness, and the determination to match it, Nhamo is one that one could place into Gryfindor for her bravery.

Nhamo is eleven, and making close to the hardest journey anyone has in their life. With her wits and her determination to keep living, it doesn't seem like she is going to come even close to dying. But nature is a lot harsher than she had expected. Will she be able to pull through? This story of an African girl will not fail to transport readers into her position of facing a dangerous, dramatic, and extraordinary journey. The best thing about Nhamo is that she is painfully human and that she has flaws- things that could make huge gaps in her plan to live and stay alive.

Nancy Farmer's A Girl Named Disaster is a nerve-wracking adventure that won't let you put the book down. From Nancy Farmer's vivid descriptions of Nhamo's surroundings to her breathtaking adventure through the rivers, Nhamo is a heroine no one is likely to forget very soon!

**** I give this book a 9.5 out of 10. It captured my attention slightly less than The House of the Scorpion, but it was all in all an amazing book!***

The House of the Scorpion

If you are looking for a fast-paced, good science fiction read, I really recommend the House of the Scorpion. Nancy Farmer did an exceptional job!!!!! Now... a little bit about this book.

This book takes place in the future- when clones are now harvested from cows, and with a single drop of DNA, another whole human being can be created. Except cloning has been turned illegal for multitudes of reasons. Rules are rules, yes, but power is power. And El Patron is very powerful. Ever heard of the saying: 'If there is a will, there's a way."? Well, El Patron had the will. The will to made himself a clone. And he made a way. With El Patron's will, and his power-hungry ways, Matteo Alacran is born. No. Matt was not 'born'. He was harvested. Little does Matteo know the hard journey he's cloned self with have to walk. Little does he know, even, about himself. As a boy that everyone believes is a monster, he isn't exactly loved by everyone. In fact, it's closer to the fact that not a lot of people like him. The only ones that stick to his side is one dangerous bodyguard that blew up a bunch of kids, a servant/cook, an all-powerful drug lord, and an innocent girl. Wow. What a group. The only answer that Matt might be able to find seems to run away. Not the ideal answer, but the only one that won't get him killed. Really. Run away or stay with a senile drug lord that loves Matt as much as himself, because Matt is himself? Tough.

Nancy Farmer wrote an amazing novel of a clone and his adventure for freedom and to be free from the Opium Field. Personally, I was never quite the person for Sci-Fi, but this book completely changed my views on sci-fi novels. With a touch of friendship, confusion, blissful ignorance, misplaced trust, and reading, The House of the Scorpion is an amazing masterpiece that I recommend to everyone from ages 11 to adults. For teachers, it's one book that would be a great read for kids in read-aloud. With powerful characters, enchanting plot twists, and an astounding adventure of Matteo's pursuit of freedom, I can definitely say Nancy Farmer is definitely an author that writes amazing books. From The Girl Named Disaster to The Arm, The Ear, and The Eye, The House of the Scorpion is one to be enjoyed by a variety of people. I definitely think that sci-fi lovers should read this book, as well as people do don't enjoy sci-fi as much. Just because it is a positively amazing book and you will not be able to tear your eyes away from. I think that this is a book that is really worth buying because of the the fact that it really isn't easy to tire from this book- I read it about 5 times over and over again, and I still think that if I read it again, I wouldn't be able to rip my eyes away. And for any kids that are reading this review, I know that some of you will have misgivings about those three awards, but really, I have them too- that thing that nags the back of my mind when I pick up a book that has awards at the cover. But really, I promise that you will be able to fall right into the powerful context of this book as soon as you open it. Because I did too. Just start with an open mind. Soon you will find yourself loving everything from Matt's young innocence to El Patron's old, and powerful presence, to Tam Lin's intimidating friendship with Matteo. This book is will give you a look into the future of a thin strip of poppy fields between old America and Mexico. A little looking into the future of a clone named Matteo Alacran. Who is not a real boy. But property.

If you find this book as amazing as I thought it was, here are a few other titles by Nancy Farmer that I am positive you will enjoy:

'The Arm, The Ear, and The Eye'

and 'The Girl Named Disaster'

Warning:
They are indeed all pretty long books, but I guarantee you satisfaction (like real satisfaction- not like those ads that make it seem all great and stuff.... But I mean that they will be able to enchant you into the depths of each character's adventure) if you walk into each world with an open mind.

**** I give this book a 9.8889999999999 out of 10. Amazing!****

Ida B... and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World

Ida B is a faithful believer that there is never enough time for fun. So she is pretty content that she is homeschooled and can spend every other free second outside with freedom, the trees, and the brook. It is the perfect life for Ida B. But not everything can last forever. When things start to change drastically, Ida B's current life is burned to ashes, Ida B turns into a cold, hard, black stone of what she used to be. And when a person't heart changes, so do their plans. And Ida B's plan's change remarkably from the loving, joyful child that she once was. But there is still that part left inside of her- that perky, laughing alive part of her. So it really is a battle against herself as much as it is against everything that changed her life. Yet there's people out there that really are intent on trying to help Ida B. People like Ms. Washington, with her soft voice and her radiating kindness. Things that thaw her small, cold heart a little.

Katherine Hannigan wrote a very moving novel about a girl named Ida B who is determined to change when everything else changes. She showed how Ida changed from a carefree girl that was filled with joy to an empty shell of what she used to be- her heart dark and cold, and small. And every day, every hour, every minute that passes, she slowly looses the Ida B that was there before. Yet maybe, Ida may realize that she is much more than this shell she has reduced herself to be. Maybe she may be just in time to stop disaster and to make things alright again. I think I really really liked this book a lot because of the fact that it was in key with reality. The anger, the hurt, the love, and the friendship all seemed right. Because if you were in Ida's shoes, you know that you would feel that too. Like the overwhelming calamity of the situation, the override of bad things, and bad omens to come. Because if you were Ida B, you would feel that too. Ida B was really close to what real kids are like- they do things that hurt them, and others, they say things that they don't mean  but just come out, and the book really sheds light on who you are. And most of it comes from the fact that you are like Ida B too. There are things that make you more than mad, but just boiling over with hate for a person, you have times when you hate someone so bad, that you want to do something that will hurt them bad, and you have times when things happen that you don't want. 'If life gives you a lemon, make a lemonade.' But that's hard. Really hard. I loved Ida B because she was not perfect- in fact she was so far from perfect that it's a perfect analysis of a person. Ida B was the closest character that I read about that was so close to being real.

*** I give this book a 10 out of 10. I really think that this is a must read for everyone and a masterpiece for everyone to enjoy. ***

The Mouse Island Marathon

Well, if it isn't the world-famous mouse: Geronimo Stilton. He whom always forgets to introduce himself. Every single time! Is remembering to say 'Hi, I'm Geronimo!' really that hard? Geronimo is an office mouse. Through and through. Exercise? Naw thanks. An extra slice of cheese? Sounds great!!!! To say the least, Geronimo Stilton is not fit. Not even close. So when Champ Strongpaws strolls into his office and tells him that he is going to a marathon, Geronimo faints. Literally. On the first day of training, it's evident that Geronimo is not a marathon- kind of mouse, nor is he an early-morning kind of mouse. The events of his first morning in training? It's goes something like this: Geronimo gets dragged out of bed, and forced to run around the block thirty times. Finally, with aching muscles, a pounding head, and even hurting fur, he collapses, immediately gets a vase of cold water dumped on his head, and passes out. So much for morning training. But maybe even Geronimo, who makes people understand the definition of a sports failure, can change to actually run a marathon? Who ever thought of that?

With the help of Thea, his sister, Trap, and Benjamin, his lovable nephew, will Geronimo be able to run the marathon and actually get to the end without getting a heart attack? Really? Because in his current state, I would beg to differ. Could it be that Mr. Scaredy mouse could overcome his fears of, well... everything and get through the famous Mouse Island Marathon? But maybe being scared isn't always such a bad thing.......

Geronimo Stilton has entertained many young readers with is adventures and near-death experiences. Geronimo is absolutely hilarious is that scaredy mouse way, but everyone is afraid of at least something, right? As for this adventure.... What can I say, but that our favourite, out-of-shape, mousey publisher of The Rodent's Gazette strikes again, and with as much humor as ever! Twenty-six miles of running? Oh boy. Oh boy.

I recommend this to ages 6-9 because if you really get any older, it's just not something that you would really want to read.

*** I give this book a 7.6 out of 10. I really loved it when I was a kid, but when I look back at it now, it's not the best literature available......****

Rules

Rules is another book having to do with an autistic brother, a twelve-year old girl named Catherine, and her family and neighbors. Now, for Catherine, all she really wants is her life to be normal. But pretty much everyone can tell- that's hard when your brother is autistic. Catherine really wants to be normal. Okay. That's fine. Yet everyone's version of 'normal' is different. Could it be that Catherine already has her 'normal'? 'What is your definition of normal?'

David has a set of rules that he is supposed to keep to- from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public". Because for a child with autism, things that seem like common sense are confusing, and someone has to go through everything to make them seem normal. For David, it's Catherine. She is the one who teaches him his manners, life tips on how to not get in trouble, how to not embarrass her in front of her friends, and how to keep from getting weird looks from people. David doesn't seem to notice, but Catherine does. And she doesn't feel very good about her autistic brother when they do crinkle their brows together in that 'What's wrong with him?' kind of look. Especially when her friends give it. So when a girl named Kristi moves in to be the potential next-door neighbour she's always wished for, Catherine really finds herself hoping to impress her and keep her brother's autism as barely noticeable as possible. This story is about how Catherine feels about having an autistic brother and how she deals with his public displays and how he acts in public. Frankly, Catherine wishes everyday, every wish that David would be clear of his autism- that there would be a pill that would make him wake up with no autism, and no problems.  She wishes for someday when she would be able to yell at him, and he would yell back, not break down into tears. She longs for a day when David will be the normal younger brother. And she wished for a day when she can actually trust her mother to be a mother and take care of David.

Cynthia Lord is a really great writer, and I think that it made it all the more funny how she wrote David's autism, and how Catherine deals with it. Cynthia is really good at writing, I think, and I have to say that it was a very well-written book. The only thing about it is that it isn't very realistic. If someone has an autistic brother, I don't think that they would have been as understanding as Catherine. I think they would have thought things a hundred times worse than just 'I wish my brother would wake up with no autism one day.' I don't think that Catherine would feel so little remorse towards everything....

***I give this book a 8.5 out of 10. A little far from the truth sometimes, and what would have really happened....****

Mockingbird

Do you know the definition of closure?

This is a book about an eleven year-old girl named Caitlin, and she has Asperger's. In her world, everything is black and white. Good and bad. Anything and everything in between is just plain confusing. And it used to be her older brother, Devon, who used to explain those things to her. Now Devon is dead, and there is only Dad. Except Dad is no help. This book is a really great lit-circle book, and I really really really (I cannot emphasize this enough) think that it's wonderfully written and that I recommend it to anyone who is in need of a good book, teachers, adults, students, and kids all alike. 

Caitlin is confused about a lot in her life, like empathy, colours, and everything in between black and white. And most recently of all, how to find closure. If Devon had been there, he would have taken care of her, and explained to her about everything. So now Caitlin is as confused as ever and no one that seems like they're going to help her. This book is a really strong insulator of feelings, and one can't stop themselves from being sympathetic towards Caitlin, and her father, that doesn't really understand what she needs right now. In her journey to find closure and bring it to her and her father, she meets another friend, and may come to understand empathy and emotions more than anyone ever thought she could. Even if she has Asperger's, she still is like any other human being. She has emotions, it's just that she finds it harder to portray it well, and make people understand, and to make her understand how people are feeling. Because life doesn't have an answer key. And Caitlin needs to understand that life isn't black and white. That it has many colours, messy, bright, strong, but beautiful. 

With a friend, a very helpful art professor, Mrs. Brook, the counselor, Caitlin, a chest, and her Dad, Caitlin is determined to reach closure. It's not only for herself, but for everyone around her as well- the community, the school, and her family. But does Caitlin realize this? Not to mention that right now, Caitlin really needs to find closure for herself as well. And it definitely doesn't help that others treat her like something bad. When she really isn't. She is really like all of them. It's just that they need a little bit more 'finesse'.

Kathryn Erskine is an amazing writer and I have to say that her writing is especially strong, and I think that it is one of the most emotionally strong pieces of writing I have ever read. Mockingbird is an amazing book, and I think that Kathryn did an amazing job in writing in the point of view of a child that has difficulties with a lot. It is a complex character study, that really is a great example of a exemplary character study, and I recommend it all the more as a lit-circle book!

***I give this book a 9.999999999999999999999 out of 10. It was really touching and spectacularly written!***

Diary of a Wimpy Kid ~Dog Days~

I decided that since the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days was out at the movies, it would be a good idea to post a book review about the book about now. Diary of a Wimpy kid has grown into a big thing for kids, and I have to admit that it is pretty darn funny as well! With a series of hilarious events that trail Greg Heffley, the Heffleys get a dog, Rowley and Greg watch a scary movie, get nightmares, and are hiding out in the bathtub. Another wimpy, normal summer for Greg. But still. Greg loves summer. No responsibilities, and absolutely no rules. He likes it that way! All he wants to do is play video games with the shades drawn all through the summer. But his mother has different ideas.....

Greg is in Middle school. Oh yeah, tough time of life, sure. He's wimpy, not very high on the 'ranking' list, has a crush on Holly Hills and Heather Hills, and when he decides that he is going to go ahead and try to 'impress' her, guess what? Things just don't work out. As the middle child in the Heffley family, he is squashed between a rude, obnoxious brother that is intent on making is life difficult, and a little, pesky brother that his parents always take the side of. Now that a certain dog (oh, so nicely named Sweetie) has made its way into the family, Greg goes out of his mind with the amount of adoration his dad decides to put in on it. However, after many days of that turmoil, his dad gets enough of Sweetie and decides to give the dog to their grandmother. After all, it seems a little too much for them to handle. After long agonizing hours at the swimming pool, and a place by the beach with Rowley, no one could really blame Greg for not really loving this summer that much. 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is one of my favourite comics of all time because it really isn't all comic- it's a half comic, half book thing. Not to mention that Greg Heffley is hilarious and always manages to make me laugh with his 'unfortunate but funny' day to day life. Not to mention all the things that Rodrick makes Greg go through. Really. I'd hate to have a brother like him! Or like Manny, for that matter! Jeff Kinney did an amazing job of making Greg and his life totally comical!!!!!!

The only thing that I have to say about this book is that it isn't really a good example about how kids should act about their responsibilities. Not a very good read if you wish to make your child behave well by reading about others' good examples!

**** I give this book a 8.7 out of 10...... Pretty good! For a comic book!*****

Moomin Comic Strip Volume 5

Moomin is a comic book set in the imaginary world of Moomin Valley. With mesmerizing characters and charming twists, one is bound to get captivated in the world that Tove Janssonhas created. With many disruptions of a winter hibernation, a love triangle, and a oversea adventure with pirates, Moomin Valley is packed with adventure and hilarious doings. Now let me introduce you to a few of the characters in this particular Volume. 

The Moomin Family. 

Moominmama is the mother of the family, and she is kind and caring. She is also perhaps the most sensible out of them all, and looks something like this:

She always carries a black purse around, as well as an apron tied to her waist. Versions on this apron do differ, however, and is not always the same. 

Moominpapa is the father of the Moomins and he is outgoing, and likes to gamble, and drink. He is adventurous and often talks about writing a memoir. He looks something like this:

Moominpappa always is seen with a black top hat. 

Moomintroll is the main character, the son of Moominpapa and Moominmama, and he is the silly Moomin. He isn't the sharpest pencil in the pencil box, but he is kind and tries to make everyone happy. He looks like this:

He looks like all the other Moomins but without a distinctive article of clothing. 

Snorkmaiden is Moomintroll's 'girlfriend' and she is a Snork- although she has the appearance close to a Moomin, she is not one. She is loyal to her friends, but can be a tad prickly. She fantasizes after romance and is a bit melodramatic. She looks something like this:

*Sorry that's a really blurry picture*

Being a Snork, she has a tuft of hair in between her ears, which she is very fond of. Snorkmaiden also has a golden anklet which she keeps on her ankle. 

Those are all the Moomins, and if you wish meet more of these fascinating characters, I suggest you go and read the comics! In this volume, there are three chapters: Moomin Winter, Moomin Under Sail, and Fuddler's Courtship. In Moomin Winter, Moomin and his family decide to hibernate. However, guests seem determined to keep them from sleeping. After so many interruptions, Moominmama finally just gives up on trying. With problems with a certain Nibling that likes to discover secrets, their winter is about as far as being uneventful as you can get! Meanwhile, in Moomin Under Sail, Moomin and his family decide to go along with their dear friend Too-Tick on a great overseas adventure. Along with getting into fights with two pirates, they go on another thrilling adventure. Fuddler's Courtship is about a love triangle between The Fuddler, Mymble, and a certain Dr. Hatter (really- he is about as mad as a Mad Hatter!) The Moomin Comic Strips are great for people who like out of the ordinary things that make you laugh out loud!

***I give this book a 8.9 out of 10!****

Dear George Clooney Please Marry My Mom

As mentioned from my last post- Word Nerd, this novel is by Susin Nielsen and is a great mixture of family difficulties and a series of hilarious events. If you also like the coupling of Amanda and Cosmo in Word Nerd, they appear here again, along with Ambrose! When Violet's mother and father break up, it becomes a tense atmosphere between her father and Violet. But Violet Gutsafson is a good girl in her heart of hearts, and she really only wants the best for her family. Even when she convinces her step-sisters that the cat poop in their sandbox is really chocolate that Santa left them. A little far from the truth, yes, but still. You could expect that from a teenage girl that wants nothing but for her life to not suck. Tough luck, Violet.

Violet is almost thirteen and in a bad stage of her life. With a dad that left for a drop-dead gorgeous actor, two stepsisters that she shares the same dad with but they come out stunningly cute, two annoying girls from school otherwise known as 'Thing One' and 'Thing Two', a boy she admitting has a crush on, and a person with the unfortunate last name of 'Weiner', she doesn't have a lot of people she can turn to for help. The only person is probably her best friend, Pheobe. So when they start to get on an argument, Violet feels really really really horrible. So she decides that she is going to take the family matters into her own hands and do something about her mother's 'single' status. Except these things never seem to go the way that it is supposed to. With the help of a Magic 8 ball, an accident with a golf cart, a wedding, and Facebook, Violet Gutsafson digs her own grave. Yet maybe there is still a chance for a happily ever after.....

Dear George Clooney Please Marry My Mom is an amazing tale about family hardships, arguments, vows, and phone calls. Susin Nielsen sure knows how to get twelve 'almost thirteen' girls into deep trouble. Especially if where girl's father is at work on a set, she's not liable to drive, and George Clooney's car is parked right next to some camels. Nice. Once again, I have to spout that Susin Nielsen is an amazing writer and one that writes books that are so hilarious, you will get a six pack in one reading from laughter. Wonderful exercise!

**** I give this book a 9.56 out of 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spectacular!*****

Word Nerd

Word Nerd is an entertaining novel by Susin Nielsen consisting of a twelve-year-old boy that is deathly allergic to peanuts and amazing at Scrabble, ab ex-convict that shares his love for Scrabble, an overprotective mother, and an absolutely hilarious plot. Susin Nielsen is an amazing writer and she wrote the novel : 'Dear George Clooney Please Marry my Mom'. It was (yet again) an astounding novel that had you submerged as soon as you began reading, quite similar to Word Nerd.

Word Nerd is about a twelve year old boy by the name of Ambrose. Now, Ambrose has a problem. He's deathly allergic to peanuts, and the fact that he is a nerd, he has around zero friends, and an overprotective mother doesn't help his situation very much. But when Ambrose meets Cosmo, an ex-convict that learned to play Scrabble in prison, and goes to a Scrabble club, his life changes drastically, and Scrabble turns into something that he does whenever he gets the chance. Ambrose is downright amazing with Scrabble, but there are others that are even better. And losing only leaves him in a foul mood. Yet when he realizes that he gets better and better with every play, and he starts to look at the board a little differently, he notices that Scrabble is really, really, really, fun, and starts to make friends with the people around him. But when the cops get involved and his mother finds out everything that he has hidden, his comfortable world of Scrabble comes crashing into the ground.

Ambrose meets a lot of people, get mixed up in a lot, runs away, and gets into big trouble with his mother. But his mother has to learn that she can only baby him for so long, and she doesn't seem to wish to let go. And every other time, something happens, and they move. Again, and again. And this time, things change to make the situation different. Ambrose finds somethings that he never has had before. The feeling of belonging. And that feeling makes him not wish to move anymore. Will he be able to show his mother his side of everything?

Susin Nielsen is amazing at writing, and I even got to get her signature on each of the two books that I got. Word Nerd makes me laugh so much every time that I read it- it really is delightfully hilarious!

**** I give this book a 9.5 out of 10!!!!!!!!****

Half Magic

If Jane and her siblings think that their summer is going to be anything close to boring, they are as wrong as they can ever be. With the discovery of a glint of light reflected on a silver coin, their summer's plans change drastically. But how were they to know that it was really a rare charm that gives out wishes. Well. Partly. So when Jane wishes for something exciting to happen, it does. But only half of it does. This wishing charm seems to only give half of what people wish for. And for the most part, that pretty easy- you just say you wish to have twice of everything. Yet some things are harder to wish twice of. And sometimes they forget. And sometimes, they just wish without really thinking about it. What will happen to the children?

So when the four children: Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha (listed from eldest of youngest) find a lucky charm, on a lucky summer day on the lucky beginning of summer, they take some time to realize that the nickel that they took off the ground really isn't a nickel, and then they decide to have some fun with it. 

Jane is the eldest, so quite certainly the bossiest. She is quite the drama queen and loves to overact unnecessarily, and exaggerate. She runs everything along with Mark. She likes reading plays- second to reading fiction. 

Mark is the only boy and the eldest after Jane. He is respected as he is a boy, and he's old enough to be sure of things and know things. He runs everything with Jane. He is unsure which kind of nonfiction he likes best. 

Katharine is the second from youngest and is docile and a comfort to their mother. She loves boasting about how docile and how a comfort to their mother she is. She is the poetry-lover.

Martha is the youngest, very difficult, a trouble, and a nuisance. She's one to stop in the middle of a street and refuse to move until they did something. 

The four children do fit well with each other, although they do argue constantly. But what can we expect? They're siblings! However, they do stick up for another when it counts, even if some people do stuff others under their chairs! Before this summer, they have only had each other and their mother (barely, as she had work) due to the fact that their father passed on when they were very young, but this summer, even their family were going to have a little change!

Half Magic is amusing, and magical (by half), and is a short but lusciously written book. It is one that any fan of magic is bound to enjoy. There are some flaws- there aren't half as much conflict in the book as I would have liked, but all in all, it is enchanting!

**** I give this book a 8.2 out of 10.*****

The Headless Cupid

When the day comes that the four Stanley children are to meet their stepsister, Amanda, they find that she is nothing like they had expected. Astonished at the fact that she is on the act of studying witchcraft, they decide to join in for a little bit of fun with her as well. As they go through initiations, seances, 'practice' spells, get together at midnight to go over some rituals, and go through a set of tests to see if they are 'magic', the Stanley children are doing pretty well! However, it doesn't seem like they are the only bit of 'magic' in the household. When disturbances begin to occur, and rocks are thrown in through the window, vases are broken, and painting are ripped off walls, David at first suspects Amanda for causing the havoc. However, when he digs into the history of the house, it seems to be that beneath the dust of old age, legends have it that  a poltergeist haunts the house, also leading to the beheading of a wooden cupid of the stairway. Will the ghost strike again?

David is a responsible eleven year old boy and always takes care of his younger siblings. At the beginning, he  is doubtful of Amanda's snide appearance, and he cannot seem to dispel her sinister expression from his mind from when he first met her. When he first meets Amanda, he feels the strongest premonition that he has ever felt when he met a person. The premonition that when Amanda joined the family, he would have to expect some drastic differences and that Amanda would give him a lot more to think about than the average stepsister. Not to mention that he has a slightly interesting feeling about getting an older sister all at once.

Esther (or Tesser, as she calls herself), is four years old- short and solid with straight brown hair and fat pink cheeks. She is terribly determined, but uses other means to get her way than to use her high pitch of sound (scream) and to throw things at people. She has Janie's stubborn spirit, but not her violence!

Blair is David's little brother and has a way with animals. He seems to understand animals, and they seem to understand him. He's quiet and doesn't speak much, but can talk when he wishes to. Quite magical, he astounds Amanda with his ways. But Amanda seems apparent that she doesn't wish to show it!

Janie is a bit temperamental. When stuff doesn't go her way, she's likely to throw a temper, scream, and throw stuff. She's the one with the crazy ideas that usually get the others really dirty, in lots of trouble, or both! When the children are in a sceme that is remotely crazy, Janie's probably the one behind it all!

Amanda is the least aggreable of them all, and probably my least favorite character. She is cold, and doesn't work well with kids. Not very friendly in any way and is very thorny. Studying witchcraft, she has a bunch of strange things in her inventory. As prickly as a porcupine, it's going to take a lot to make her soften! She is more than slightly spoiled, and doesn't seem to bode well to the Stanleys.

Yes- they are a weird bunch, but not compared to the weird doings around the house. Zilpha Keatley Snyder wrote a novel about witchcraft, magic, poltergeists, and a beheaded cupid, all mixed with family trouble. It was an okay book, but I have to say that sometimes, it seemed a little boring. It is recommended for children 8-12, and for people who are in need of a little dose of magic. Not enough adventure in my point of view, not to mention that there weren't that many really magical doings in the actual book....... So much for a magical book. It was mostly just pretending. However, I have to say that in the beginning of the book (in the end, it kind of changed), she did a pretty good job in arranging the characters personalities: from David's easy-going one to Amanda's snide, rude, and stuck-up one!

**** I give this book a 7.5 out of 10. Again, it was okay, but some points were downright dreary, and almost made we wish to skip ahead...... ******

Inkheart

On a tale of imagination, magic, books, and life, Cornelia Funke entwines an intricate adventure on which readers embark on. On a timeless journey through trifles, loss, courage, and friends, this journey will change Meggie's life forever. When a certain Dustfinger appears at her house one day, and Mo seems very tense, Meggie is bound to have a little curiosity at what this stranger is doing in her house. But she doesn't know how this truth is bound to change her perspective on life drastically. Yet is it not a daughter's duty to be curious? As an adventure fit for a book unravels in front of Meggie, she is more than surprised. As the world she knew so well comes apart to reveal several worlds in between, it's more than likely that that fateful rainy day will always be remembered in her heart.

Meggie is a twelve year old girl, and she loves books. She is daughter of Mo and Resa. She has a hidden talent buried deep inside of her. Much like her beloved father. As a devoted daughter as well as companion, she is ever loyal to Mo, as much as she is devoted to her friends.

Mortimer Folchart (Mo, or Silvertongue) is Meggie's father, and wife of Resa. A bookbinder, yet not normal at all. As master of a very rare talent, he is still compromising whether it is curse or gift. After experiencing losing Resa due to his reading, he is very hesitant to reading aloud.

Resa (Theresa) is mother to Meggie as well and wife of Mortimer. Having been read into a book, she lost her voice. Not too much is said about her in this book.

Elinor Loredan is Resa's aunt, a book collector, and a bookworm all in one. Devoted to her books, she still has to learn to love her family. She is very prickly towards everyone and only likes the company of her books. Still, her most favoured niece is Resa.

Fenoglio (Inkweaver) is the auther of the original book Inkheart. More will be told if you read the story.

Dustfinger is a fire eater whom Mo accidentally took out from a book. More about him in the story.

Many more characters have unexpected histories and astounding talents. They are all a group of amazing people, each from their own 'somewhere'. When Meggie and Mo combine their talents together, as well as their fierce loyalty to their friends, nothing much can stop them. But inbetween loyalty lies betrayal. Will that tear them apart?

Cornelia Funke is an amazing author. Not only does she tell a tale of magic and adventure, but she tells a story about life itself. However, the only thing I have against that is that she made it almost so that Mo and Meggie had no problems between themselves. They were 'perfect'. But no family relationship is that perfect. There are always ups and downs. Inkheart didn't have that many of those. Yet it was a great story, even if it was a little too cheesy for my taste!

****I give this book 9.7 out of 10. It was brilliant, but I have to say that some parts were too perfect for my taste!****

If you are a dreamer, come in

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A Hope-er, a Pray-er, a Magic Bean buyer,

If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire

For we have some flax-golden tales to spin

Come in!

Come in!

~Shel Silverstein 

 

A Series of Unfortunate Events- The Bad Beginning

Some people seem to get all the bad luck in the world....... And one of them are the Baudelaire siblings. Witty, smart, charming, and very clever, they are all the same very very very unfortunate. And as Lemony Snicket advises to the reader at the back-cover of the book, if you wish to find a happy ending, you have come to the wrong place. And here I recite, the back of the Story. Perhaps this note shall change your mind of reading the book or not....

Dear Reader,

I'm sorry to say that the book you are holding in your hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells and unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very first page of this book when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing on through the entire story, disaster lurks at their heels. One might say they are magnets for misfortune. 

In this short book alone, the three youngsters encounter a greedy and repulsive villain, itchy clothing, a disastrous fire, a plot to steal their fortune, and cold porridge for breakfast. 

It is my sad duty to write down these unpleasant tales, but there is nothing stopping you from putting this book down at once and reading something happy, if you prefer that sort of thing. 

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Wow. Talk about an angst letter to the reader. I took liberties to ignore the letter and actually read the book. It was astounding. Absolutely amazing. There were parts where the author dragged his opinion too far into the chapter, but the book itself was great and had lots of adventure and misfortune. The letter from Lemony Snicket wasn't at all false, but it wasn't quite that bad..... At least, I don't think so. It is true that they seemed to run into trouble all the time...... When the Baudelaires are turned into orphans, it only seems that things can only get better in the course of a day. They are only proved how wrong three children can be!

When they are sent off by Mr. Poe, a temporary 'guardian' that has no idea of any danger and someone who coughs continually, to a distant relative that they have never met before. By the name of Count Olaf, he is nothing but trouble. All he really wants is the Baudelaire's fortune which the parents left behind. The real question is..... How to get it. When Olaf starts brewing trouble for the siblings, they try to let Mr. Poe be of assistance and to help them. However, Mr. Poe, as much as he is kind, is oblivious to any danger that the Baudelaires are in. Really. Mr. Poe wouldn't know danger if it came up to him and slapped him. And so the Baudelaires have to get out of trouble with Count Olaf on their own. 

A little intro to the three unfortunate Baudelaire orphans wouldn't hurt, I bet.....

Sunny Baudelaire is the youngest of the Baudelaires- a mere baby, yet resourceful all the same. Speaking her own small language, the only ones to understand her queer talk are her siblings. Careful around her teeth- they are wickedly sharp and can do a great amount of damage. 

Claude Baudelaire is the 'middle' of the Baudelaire group. Younger than his sister, but older than Sunny, his knowledge is great from all the reading that he has done. He is quite a bit smart and can use his wisdom of many things to get them out of unsettling situations. 

Violet Baudelaire is the oldest Baudelaire and an inventor. As an inventor, she has a knack for fixing things and giving them a little tweak to make it better. Or she can even make intricate machines out of small tools. Oh yes. She also liked to skip rocks. 

All in all, the Baudelaires are very smart and witty. But sometimes, especially when they are a danger magnet, and a misfortune magnet, you need more than smart and witty to survive. But they will always have friends, as well as each other. 

*** I give this book a 9.9789 out of 10. It really is startlingly hilarious and funny. Even if they do have such misfortune!******

Wildwood

Colin Melody introduces the prospect of an alternate world inside the world we are comfortable with- one that has coyotes wielding knives, birds who have to power to speak, and crows that have to power to lift a toddler into the sky without a strain. Colin makes a universe in the Impassible Woods of Portland, Oregon, and where magical things happen. Wildwood is certainly a forest of danger and secrets alike. With dangerous people and animals alike all over Wildwood, it isn't exactly the safest place to be for a girl like Prue. However, when her baby brother is abducted by a flock of crows, it seems like there is no other thing to do other than follow him in. Yet Prue has always been curious about the unpassed boundaries of Wildwood and what lay behind. And when someone is curious, it's never just one. When Prue finds that Curtis determined to follow her into Wildwood, she is less than pleased. More so- she is frustrated and angry. After all, it could be that she is leading him to his death. But Curtis isn't just going because Prue is going. He's going because he has a particular taste for adventure as well. Will Prue learn to treasure his company? Or will he despise his being there?

In Wildwood, nothing seems to be as it seems. And when Prue is separated than Curtis, they each have to make due without each other. But facing and beautiful and seemingly kind witch is hard. Especially if she is nice to you and you like her, and you are blinded by her twisted truth. And Curits is all that. Only his strong belief that death is wrong will save him. But can he bring it up in time? Meanwhile, Prue is of no help, as she is only getting into other trouble. She is on a tough journey to save her brother, and Curtis is on his own to solve his problems non-violently. However, the witch is trying harder than ever. Will Curtis bend to her ways?

Wildwood is a enchanting tale of witchcraft, spells, flying, and freedom. As Prue and Curtis fight a war against good and evil, they find help from many friend, and many birds all alike. But coyotes with swords are never a welcome sight and the witch is much more powerful than ever. Will Prue and Curtis be able to pull out with all of their new found friends?

*** I give this book a 8.9 out of 10. It was magical, but some times, the book wasn't very enticing....***

The Willoughbys

The Willoughbys are a crazy bunch. Ruthless, daring, and not exactly very lovable. And uncontrollable. When their parents decide to go on a vacation from their odious children, it isn't very startling that they need a break from them. However, it isn't really like they're very charming, either. So it really evens out that they are one repugnant family.

I have to say that Lois Lowry went all-out with his vocabulary in this particular book. It is thin- yes: a mere 157 pages, not particularly extensively long, but the vocabulary is one that you may find in a dictionary. Really- half the words, I never even knew existed in the English dictionary! And a eighth of the words..... I still am not sure that they are real words even. Because I thought that supercalifragilousexpialidocious was the longest word in the English dictionary. This book begs to differ.

A little introduction to the ignominious characters of this book.
Timothy (otherwise known as Tim) is the tallest and possibly the most blasphemous of them all. He's a loud mouth, and very naughty. He is the one to lead the rest into trouble for the most part, and to make them play games that only he understands the rules to. And as his parents call him, he is insufferable.

The Twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, are repetitious. Being twins, they tend to voice each others opinions a lot and 'steal each other's lines'. Also, they tend to speak at the same time- which drives Tim mad.

Jane is the only girl. She is whinny, and her parents forget about her a lot. She is probably the most annoying out of the siblings, and fairly disliked by her mother- when she is remembered.

The Nanny is odious, as Tim says. However, she is nothing of the sort. She is rather pudgy, and childlike- and rather goes famously along with the Willoughby children. A perfect fit- a fifth to their gang of idiosyncrasy.

All in all, the book is certainly very exciting story and very humourous at that. It will be a tough read for some people who are younger than 10 due to the fact that it has a very wide vocabulary, and some of the words, even a 13 year old may need to search up in the dictionary. However, all in all, it is a delightful tale and one that I have definitely enjoyed! Lois Lowry is indeed a stupendous author, and it is 'a novel Nefariously Written and Ignominiously Illustratied by the Author'. Quite as spectacular as The Giver.

***I give this book a 9.898989 out of 10. Astounding vocabulary! It's almost as useful as a dictionary!****

P.S. this was my 100th Post. : D never thought I'd make it this far!

The Lost Hero

As it is another Rick Riordan book, this book is bound to be interesting! But first, before I enthuse about how amazing this book is, let's do a little character introduction for people who are not familiar with the 'Heroes of Olympus' series!

Piper McLean is the daughter of Aphrodite and the famous movie star Tristan McLean. She has a few secrets- things she wouldn't bother to share. As her father is a movie star, it doesn't help that she feels awkward around posters of him in her cabin. Nor does it help that the leader/tyrant of the Aphrodite cabin is Drew- possibly the meanest girl there. She's nasty, and she can charmspeak. How terrible. But Piper has a few talents up her sleeve as well. Can she manage to rein them enough to maneuver her way with the quest and not get her comrades killed?

Jason Grace is the long-lost brother of Thalia Grace, son of the almighty Zeus, and has a lot of mixed feelings. Not to mention the fact that he has a lot on his mind, and how to save the world by the solstice. Due to the fact that Hera has taken Jason's memory away and I do not want to spoil the story for you, there cannot be much said about Jason's past and the hard path that he has walked. But some things are going to make this journey better for him. Like his friends and him abilities, and maybe, even his differences!

Leo Valdez is an orphan. Or so he thought. Having lost his mother in a fire, Leo has been on the run for ages. Until he came to Camp Halfblood. Until he found out that he was the son of Hephaestus. Until his life changes. Forever. Leo is he clown in the group, but is harboring some guilt inside. Yet he manages to mask it all with a grin and a cover of happiness.

Coach Hedge was their Physical Education teacher from a few years before and also turned out to be their protector. He is a stayr and slightly violent and crazy.

There are, of course, many other gods, goddesses, humans, and half-bloods, but let's leave them for the actual story. As Piper, Jason, and Leo go off to save the world in three days, you are about to enjoy another breathtakingly good novel by Rick Riordan. As they fall of dragons, ride giants, slay monsters, and hear that they are going to die over and over again, it has to be a great journey for them. And as the day comes closer and closer, it seems that they get in a tighter fix of Death. Really- it's a lovely situation to be in. Is it really the end of the three heroes? Or will they manage to pull through? No matter what, this quest doesn't seem like something they are going to come out of unscathed!

I find that Rick Riordan writes a lot of adventures where there the world is ending and heroes have to save it. He brings out some good adventure books. And I love his stories. However, sometimes it makes me think: 'Are we really that dumb to not realize that our world is coming so close to death every few decades?' If this was all true, wow. We almost died a lot of times!

I love Rick Riordan's novels, and I think that he is an amazing writer!

***** I give this book a 9.99988888899999 out of ten. Spectacular!******