The Cricket in Times Square

The Cricket in Times Square is about exact as a title could be. It is about a Cricket. In Times Square. With the story of a mouse, a cat, and a cricket, and a Human named Mario, it is definitely a hilarious book.

One of the best things about this book, is that it isn't very long. A mere 133 pages, it even better as there are many images. Although the images are black and white, it is very artistically drawn! 

Now to meet some of the characters:

Tucker is a street mouse, very capable of fending for himself, and making the most interesting friends. He lives in a drainage pipe, but leads happy life all the same.

Mario is the human boy who helps out his father at the newspaper stand here at Times Square. Helping his father out is one of the things he does until he stumbles upon a cricket. 

Then there is our main character. Chester Cricket. What he does best is what all crickets to best. Crick. By rubbing his wings together, he can create beautiful music. Quite a talent for music he has. 

Last but not least, Harry Cat. One of the closest friends of Tucker, he finds himself in strange company: with a mouse and a cricket.

With these four characters, they get into tons of trouble, but manage to reach a somewhat decent ending. Chester ends up doing what no cricket has ever done before, with his three unlikely companion, they weave the story of 'The Cricket in Times Square" and one that is very adventurous in a down-to-earth way. 

George Selden wrote the Cricket in Times Square very well, and I do understand that writing a short book is not as easy as it may seem to certain people. The only thing that I would say against this book is that there were times when there was little to no action, which did not help to make the story very fast-paced. I recommend this book to kids ages 8-11.

***I give this book a 8.5 out of 10***

The Tale of Despereaux: being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread

I must state that Kate DiCamillo did write some amazing books. With the Tale of Despereaux and Beacuse of Winne-Dixie and many more, she is quite the writer!

This tale is about 'and unlikely hero with exceptionally big ears'. This hero's name is Despereaux Tilling. A mouse with large ears, a love for music, stories, and a princess Pea, a sense of adventure, and a sense of courage to match it. Yet The Tale of Despereaux belongs to another two characters: a rat by the named of Roscuro, living in the darkness with a love for light, and Miggery Sow, a girl with one impossible dream. However, to say the least, Miggery Sow is not the sharpest pencil in the pencil box.

"This story begins within the walls of a castle, with the birth of a mouse. A small mouse. The last mouse born to his parents and the only one of his litter to be born alive." -- page 11

So begins the amazing story of Despereaux. A unique, mouse never heard of before. But the castle he is in has a timely, fateful story to go along with mice. And to say that the King disliked mice would be a euphemism. From the very beginning of the book, readers can tell that Desperaux is not an ordinary, nor normal mouse. He is different. And his life isn't off to a very good start. 

"Have I mentioned that beneath the caste there was a dungeon? In the dungeon there were rats. Large rats. Mean rats. 

Despereaux was destined to meet those rats. 

Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform." --Page 25

Meanwhile, a mouse named Chiaroscuro, called Roscuro's story begins backward in time, several years before the mouse Despereaux was born. His story is one of a rat exposed to light. And soon, Roscuro's wish is to see the light again, which, unfortunately, in the dark world he lives in, is no easy thing. Roscuro is told he is evil- that he has nothing to do with light. But in every heart there is at least a bit of good. And in Rosuro's there is an amount not easily found in a rat. 

And our third character, Miggery Sow, is finally introduced. Miggery Sow is "a girl born into this world many years before the mouse Despereaux and the rat Chiroscuro, a girl born far from the castle, a girl named for her father's favourite prize-winning pig." The start of Miggery Sow's story is not a happy one, but hopefully, even her story will have a happily-ever after. 

With those three destined to meet, in a horrible dungeon or a glittering castle, what happens to them? Reader, it is your destiny to find out. 

In the Tale of Despereaux are four books combined to weave a story of light, darkness, and love. 

Book the First

A MOUSE IF BORN

9

Book the Second

CHIAROSCURO

83

Book the Third

GOR! THE TALE OF MIGGERY SOW

123

Book the Fourth

RECALLED TO THE LIGHT

173

Coda

270

Kate DiCamillo weaves another tale of friendship, love, and adventure. With lovely illustrations, this book is a must-read for kids from 8 to 11. The Tale of Despereaux will absorb you into the story of a mouse, a rat, and a human.

This book has a great plot, great characters, and hidden within the layers, a great deal on the feelings of humanity. The Tale of Despereaux will be enjoyed by children all around. If something to pick at, it had a bit too much of the authour talking to the Reader.

***I give this book a 9.8 out of 10!!!!***

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel

Greg Heffley is back with more hilarious stories. As the 7th book of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, I do definitely enjoy reading about his adventures.

For those who are not familiar with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, it is a mixture of a comic and writing together, spinning a totally comical tale of Greg Heffley and his life in middle school. If one family has hilarious happenings within their family, it would definitely be Greg's. However, if you have never seen this series before, I recommend that you should read the first book first before you go on to read the seventh!

This particular book of the series starts off with Greg thinking about the days in his mother's womb, claiming the fact that he does indeed remember the days of his very very very youth. If it is a lie or not, only certain people will know! With his Uncle Gary here, and Greg's dad in a hostile mood, Greg should be on the lookout for trouble, and try to keep out of trouble. Well........ he's Greg. No way that's going to happen!

With the tale of a boy going through middle school, Greg is by far one of the funniest tellers of his 'astounding' middle school life. With an easily irritated father, an annoying little brother, a cocky older brother, a over-protective mother, and a certain Uncle Gary, this book is off to a great start, as always.

Jeff Kinney is a great writer, to say the least. Every since Diary of a Wimpy Kid came out, I have been much entertained my his stories of Greg and his life. To write a book so humourous and enrapturing is no small feat, but to write 7 more of the same quality is even harder.

I recommend this book to middle school, high school, and elementary school children all alike. This book will not fail to entertain!

***I give this book a 9.67 out of 10.***

Moomin Volume 6

Another volume of Moomin, containing chapters 22, 23, 24, and 25. Another four chapters' worth of hilarious stories of Moominvalley, and the adventures of Moomin and Moominpapa. Along with familiar characters, Moomin, Moominpapa, Moomintroll, Moominmama, and so else, many others are coming by to Moominvalley!

22. Moomin's Lamp

23. Moomin and the Railway

24. Moominpapa and the Spies

25. Moomin and the Circus

And so begin another recollection of the adventures of Moomin.

With the finding of a magic lamp of Aladdin  the possible destruction of Moominvalley, the construction of a railroad, the threat of some spies and a circus while they're at it, Moominvalley is as bountiful with adventure as ever.

Moomin is a comic strip, and each chapter is a story about Moominvalley. With straightforward but hilarious plots, it is sure to entertain readers of all ages. The best thing about a comic strip is definitely the images. Moomin, with great graphics, and a plot to match it, is surely one of my favourite comic strips. Not to mention the hilarious drawing of foreign, interesting-looking creatures of Moominvalley! The innocence of Moominvalley never stops to astound!

Lars Jansson wrote many many Moomin comic strips which you can enjoy. The best part about this series is that it doesn't quite matter which ones you read first. I do believe I started out with the 3rd one.... Each containing a comical 4 chapters of Moominvalleys' story, kids from elementary to high school should read these comic strip books! The only flaw I would give to the Moomin series is that there isn't very much of an intricate plot. It's a straight plot with much comedy!

***I give this book a 8.7 out of 10!***

Circle of Silence

A young adult novel book, Circle of Silence is one of the best reads I have had in a long time. With fast paced action and lots of drama, most teens will love this book. With a taint of romance mixed inside with a news crew, things don't get much more enlightening!

Valerie Gaines is up for the opportunity of a lifetime. With the opportunity to run a Campus News crew, ValGal is up for the challenge. Sooner than later, the story comes to her though. All with the start of a secret society. First it starts off with little pranks: underwear on flagpoles, toilets in the hallways, and so forth. But then things start getting more serious as people start getting hurt, and a student lands in a hospital without anything to say about their accident.With her team, which is quite the team: Marci, Jagger, Raul, Omar, and Henry, Val is ready and eager to crack the case right open.

Valerie Gaines is the main character of this story, and her life's dream is to become a news producer. With 2 brothers and 1 sister, her house is more than just 'crowded'. With Jesse and James (the two little brothers) running around their house, and one moody and quiet Bethany, her house is quite diverse with personalities. With such a big case in her hands, Val neglects to see that what she needs is just in front of her nose. 

Marci is a Korean girl, the co captain of WiHi's soccer team, and Val's best friend. She's pretty much into whatever Val is. With a steady boyfriend, Marci is a kind girl with an open heart to anything that won't wound Val. 

Omar is a boy, who, very much so, acts like a girl. Very open to many different aspects of life, he's an expert camera man all the same. 

Jagger is Val's ex, and not the most agreeable, according to Marci. According to Val, also, his and Val's relationship is not important to the story. He doesn't seem to really want to be in TV, and makes a point in that whenever he can.

Henry is possibly the closest to 'normal' in the group. Laid-back and easy going, he goes for what's right. Except when it comes to Marci.

With that news cast of 5, they go on an adventure which will bring them closer, if not also to their deaths. With MP going around the school, with no one actually knowing who they are, its bound to get interesting. Especially with the addition of a double agent. 

Carol M. Tanzman, also author of Dancergirl, wrote an elaborate story of a teenage girl with big dreams, and an even bigger future. In a mixture of lots of danger, and high school drama, big things are brewing, and one that has to have both wits and muscle to figure out. MP is dangerous, but smart as well. Spies are everywhere. But clues only appear to those who seek them.

I recommend this to teenagers, because of  the somewhat coarse language. However, the plot is very complex, and yet not very hard to follow. Its a great book which many teens will enjoy. A few things it lacked was a bit of character development. After all, even the evilest of the evils have a bit of nice in them, and the kindest of kind a bit of evil. 

***I rate this book a 9.5 out of 10.***

Poppy's Return

Poppy's Return is the fourth book in the 'Dimwood Forest' series, and the second to last one, by Avi. It is a series enjoyed by all kids and adults all over the world with it's tales of adventure, family, friendships, and emotions. It's a great light read for children. The 'Dimwood Forest' consists of six books: Ragweed, Poppy, Poppy and Rye, Ereth's Birthday, Poppy's Return, and Poppy and Ereth. It is an amazing series which gives an insight to a mouse's life. But not an average mouse at that. A spirited and highly capable, adventurous mouse named Poppy.

For people who are not familiar with the Dimwood Forest series, here is an introduction to all of the characters in 'Poppy's Return'

Poppy is an elderly deer mouse with large ears, round eyes, and a small torso and a pink tail. She's adventurous, headstrong, but a mother all the same. In this book, Poppy is the mother of 11 little mice, with a particularly interesting one by the name of Ragweed Junior. She has made many unusual acquaintances  one of them being a porcupine whom is rather...... fond of swearing.

Rye is Poppy's mate, and brother of her other one, Ragweed. He's a calm, quiet golden mouse with a love for family and poetry, much unlike Ragweed, whom had a taste for adventure and dangerous notions.

Ereth is a porcupine, and a dear friend of Poppy's. He swears.... continually, but is really has a good heart in the right place. He's very fond of salt, and is very headstrong as well. 

Ragweed Junior is..... Well, he's a teenager. Rude, crude, and everything mean, he's the most troubling of all of Poppy's children. With an extremely stinky skunk as a friend, and his funny, weird ways, Ragweed Junior, otherwise known as Junior, is a very exact replica of what Ragweed stood for. Trying new things out. As a teenager, it's his 'domain of expertise' to make his mother's life as difficult as possible. To say the least? He's doing very well. 

Last but not least, Mephitis is a skunk, and Junior's best pal. Not to mention that he has a really nasty stink, and he may be the worst influence to Junior. But as a mysterious figure for Poppy, she's not quite sure what to make of him. Mephitis turns out to have his heart in the right place, and gets along with everyone much better than anyone thought he would. 

In this book, Poppy makes her way back to her old home, the Gray House, when her sister, Lilly, arrives with news that her father and mother have some things to discuss with her, along with a new danger to their home. It's very unlike the woods she is familiar with though, in the Gray House. With many many many mice scurrying around, and not enough space for all of them, it gives a new definition to crowded. With the threat of their house being broken down by a bulldozer, it always keeps the deer mice scurrying all over the place. The news that their house may be broken down is not good, nor is it welcomed. However, it is true that the mice seem eager for a bit of change. Will Poppy be able to protect the Gray House and return back to her home, where her heart lies? Will she be able to explain to her father that she doesn't wish to stay?

Avi is an amazing writer who writes a hilarious series of novels with rapt adventures and an intricate plot. It's a great read for readers whom do not love to have much of a long book, but also love to have a series to read and be entertained by. 

***I give this book a 8.8 out of 10***

The Mark of Athena

As the 'The Heroes of Olympus' series goes on, and two famous demigod heroes from both the Greek and the Roman sides meet as friends, there's bound to be a few scuffles. And it only makes it worse that there's two leaders among the group- both have personalities of leadership and are both very used to being the people looked up to for directions. Will the group end up splitting into two?

As the famous Percy Jackson comes together with the Group of Seven, its necessary for them to work together. But in the world of demigods, where there is Gaea looking at them every step of the way, it's not an easy thing to do. Keeping it together is hard enough. But keeping it together and working together is a near impossible task with an Argo II full of ADHD demigods. Even with Percy and Jason. Especially with Percy and Jason.

The Mark of Athena is told mostly in Annabeth's point of view, starting with them landing in the Roman camp and finding Percy as Praetor. Her thoughts on how her Seaweed Brain may have changed, and how he may have decided that he doesn't need friends anymore. She's frankly scared about him, how they will get along, and most of all, her mother's last gift and command: 'Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. ' Freaky, huh? Why couldn't their parents ever by normal? Well, they're gods. I guess they shouldn't be 'normal'. Whatever that is. With a son of Poseidon and a son of Jupiter leading the way, and them being from the Greeks and the Romans, they are indefinitely about to clash. After all, never put lighting and water together. They are like putting a Mentos in Cola. Explosive.

When they arrive into the Roman camp, it all goes downhill from there. From Reyna, to Octavian, to Leo's warship, to the weird-possessive spirits, it seems that some people get all the bad luck. And that, would be the demigods. But all in all, they have to heard to work together- they need to work together to save the world. Will they be able to pull their act together to be in time to save Gaea from arising and save the world, again?

Rick Riordan wrote another comical and entertaining fast-paced adventure story with suspense and comic relief. As the bestseller of the Percy Jackson series, he continues to entertain youth and teens alike with a fictional book mixed with lots of mythology- now both Greek and Roman. With the Greeks and Roman sides of everything, this book is a great read and an awesome opportunity to memorize myths like drinking water. Easily.

*** I give this book a 8.5 out of 10. It was really great, but I think that it started getting a little too soppy with romance on Percy and Annabeth in my point of view. I totally think that Percy and Annabeth are a great pairing, but they started to get a bit soppy, in my point of view.***

0.4 It's A Brave New World

When I first saw this book, to be honest with you, the cover kind of freaked me out. A lot. The only thought crossing my mind at that moment I first lay eyes on this book was: 'This book looks seriously freaky.' But you know how you are never supposed to judge a book by its cover? Too bad. It's human nature. I did. But I gave it a shot, and it came to be a great sci-fi read.

'MY NAME IS KYLE STRAKER

AND I DON'T EXSIST ANY MORE.'

So begins the story of Kyle Straker, recorded on old audio tapes. You might think these tapes are a hoax. But perhaps they contain the history of a past world...

If what the tapes say are true, it means that everything we think we know is a lie. 

And if everything is a lie does that mean we are, too?

So says the back of the book. I thought it was a great little insight to the book. But I'm going to tell you a little more. 

First off. 0.4 is a sci-fi novel by Mike Lancaster. Believe or not believe, that's your call. A science fiction novel on how the lives of four people changed- how the lives of countless generations changed. And how they may be still living. Basically, 0.4 is a series of tapes recorded into the book, with short notes to explain terms. Like the one which follows:

NOTE- Teletubbies

Many theories exist about this word, but none are particularly satisfactory. Or, indeed, convincing. Kepple in his essay 'A Pantheon of Teletubbies' seems sure that it is a word of deep religious significance, referring to a collection of gods or goddesses almost exclusively worshiped by children, although his evidence is seen by most scholars as, at best, fanciful.

Really. Hilarious. Teletubbies and gods are about as close as a fly and a couch. But they wouldn't have known, right? Mike Lancaster weaves an alternate universe with this book- a future universe of much much later. Of the nought point five. But staging a nought point four. Confusing? Yes. But maybe we are really like Mike Lancaster says. Just upgrades after upgrade. And some of us ceasing to understand and acknowledge others. 0.4 definitely opens your eyes to what humans really are. Just something computer-esk, or actually sentimental beings with lives that we control? The real question. Do we actually have any control over what happens in our lives? Or is there a hardware installed within us? We go through things in life, make decisions, and change fate. Or do we? Is it just a huge page or history for us to fill, or is it just us going through something someone else has programmed? Are we really living, surviving, until our time comes, or is someone planning out when we eat, what we do, all the time? Are we a huge computer game to someone else, and if they press delete, will we cease to exist? Or are we actual matter- a race of actual beings that make our own decisions, and take to our actions? Are we just being upgraded like iPhones, or are we sentimental beings? This book opens your mind towards our own existence and what we actually are. How we are living. Is everything really a lie? Are we a lie?

Mike Lancaster definitely wrote a novel worthy of respect, and one that will definitely open your mind to the possibility of us being computer software. Can our lives really change drastically with a few taps of someone's hand? It's a possibility. That's all it is. A possibility. A frighting possibility. But.... What if?

***I give this book a 8.5 out of 10. Really mind-boggling.***

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Isn't everyone familiar with the famous Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory? After all, it is the most famous candy factory of all time! And it's been closed for a long, long time. But not anymore- the factory is opening at last! Only five lucky children will be allowed inside of the grand, famous building. With the combination of an enormously fat boy with the hobby of stuffing his face, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little pinky, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around, a toy pistol-totting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television, a poor boy with a kind heart, and a crazy senile but filthy rich man, Charlie's adventure in the huge factory is bound to be the wildest time of his life!

It all starts with five Golden Tickets- five Golden Tickets, five Golden Children to enter Mr. Wonka's chocolate factory. But Charlie is not rich- he's poor. With little to eat, and even less money to spend, Charlie doesn't seem to have any chance to get his hands on a Golden Ticket.  So when he actually gets it, it's more than a small surprise, it's more of something like a miracle. With Charlie's honest to goodness, kind, brave, and truthful personality, he's one boy that is definitely hard to hate. But leave that to the four other Golden Ticket finders. Charlie is an amazing boy with an amazing tale of his day in the Chocolate Factory with Willy Wonka- the slightly insane and off-his-rockers owner of the Factory. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is a must-read and it is also a major motion-picture, so if you don't wish to read it, I would at least recommend the movie! However, I do recommend the book before the movie (my motto- mostly for every single movie that was based from a book, I had to say that the book was indefinitely better!). I personally like reading the book before watching the movie because it gives you a lot more space to think about what the characters look like in your mind, rather than having a specific person the character looks like. I believe that reading a book gives you much more space to be creative than a movie. Therefore, I recommend that you read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory before watching it!

I recommend this book to candy-lovers, adventure-lovers, and fantasy-lovers all alike! Roald Dahl is an amazing writer and some of his other titles are:

James and the Giant Peach

The B.F.G

The Twits

The Witches

Matilda

and a lot more. Check out his site: http://www.roalddahl.com/ or just go on google, type in Roald Dahl, and his site will be the first site! Good reading!

*** I give this book a 9.45 out of 10!****

Stargirl

When Leo firsts meets Stargirl, he's amazed. Puzzled, perhaps, and weirded out, but mostly just not understanding what to make of her. She's bizarre, unique, and nothing he's ever seen before. 'She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a corkboard like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew.' That's what everyone things of Stargirl. But they start to like Stargirl. She's a person that they can all warm to. With her flowing dresses and her ukulele, she's one of a kind- she's undefined. She's astounding for a freckled home-schooled girl, she's amazing in her bravery. She has the heart of a Hufflepuff, the courage of a Gryffindor, the coolness of a Syltherin and the knowledge of a Ravenclaw (Harry Potter reference). She is said to be fake, but she is real. She is everything.

Stargirl is the story of an amazing girl that has changed the looks and views of a whole entire high school. The  undefined is always queer, and scary perhaps. But the adventurous part inside of us want to get close to it. And that is how people end up getting close to Stargirl. She is the definition of unexpectable, and has a personality to match it. She does things just for doing it, she cares about people she was never close to. She misses people she never saw before, and does things just because she wants to. But she has more wisdom about themselves than they ever thought. More courage than they ever believed, and more power to make change than they had ever thought. As a modest girl that does things to be helpful, as a girl that makes someone's life easier just because she can, as a girl that doesn't take credit for the things that she does, Stargirl is the purest girl ever to be made.

Jerry Spinnelli sure writes the queerest, funniest novels ever. I read Stargirl first when I was in grade 4, and I still believe it to be an amazing novel of an amazing girl and an average boy. Anyone can have the power of the stars in their hands. Everyone has a chance to use it. It really depends on yourself. Stargirl uses it to help others- to give them the thing that they need to keep their chin up. Sometimes it freaks them out. Stargirl doesn't seem to mind. Sometimes they respond happily, positively. Stargirl doesn't seem to mind. Sometimes they don't respond at all. Stargirl doesn't seem to mind that either. Mr. Spinnelli wrote an astounding novel of a girl with the courage of a lion, the wisdom of an owl, the kindness of family, and the happy and nonchalant attitude of a teenager. I recommend this book as a lit-circle book, but really, just because of that doesn't mean that 'oh adults will like this one.' Because I really mean it- children will like it as well. The unexpected tale of the astonishing.

**** I give this book a 9.5 out of 10. Spectacular. ****

Percy Jackson and the Olympias- The Demigod Files

This short book is a 'demigod file'. Basically, it's a few 'side-stories' and 'side-interviews' from the famous Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I think that this set of files is perfect for Percy Jackson fans and it's just another little insight into his world of demigods and mythological beings. As another set of hilarious stories and features, this book is great. Usually, I don't buy these kinds of guides and things as such, but I have to say that this particular one was worth the money. As I am a Rick Riordan fan, and I particularily enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, I thought that this book was hilarious and I totally loved it. Not to mention that it has a sneak preview for the 'Last Olympian', for those whom have not read it. If you have not read any of the Percy Jackson series, however, I do recommend that you read the first book first, as it is really a inclining story. It is complete with a crossword at the back of the book to test you on how well you know your Greek Mythology.

Percy Jackson is the demigod son of Poseidon, and trouble. Obviously. He's a demigod! Demons follow him and he gets into all the trouble a teenage boy called Seaweed Brain can get into! His weapon of choice is Riptide, a ballpoint pen that changes into a sword. Annabeth Chase (nicknamed Wise Girl by the courtesy of Percy) is the daughter of Athena, and Percy's brains in solving a problem and a loyal teammate. Interested in architecture, she won't pass up a chance to talk about monuments! Her weapon of choice is he Magic Yankees cap of invisibility, and a celestial bronze knife. Grover Underwood (or Goat Boy, as he is called) is a satyr that likes to eat. Tin cans to be specific. You can read hilarious interviews of them both, as well as three other short stories with Percy. The characters that come up in this short series of stories and interviews are: Percy Jackson, Clarisse La Rue (daughter of Ares), Phobos (God of Fear- you know how there's nothing to fear but fear but fear itself? Well, there you go. Fear Phobos 'cause he is fear itself!), Deimos (God of Terror- really. Him and his brother are the friendly bunch, no?), scared tourists, Annabeth (the one and only Wise Girl), Charles Beckendorf (demigod son of Hephaestus), a crazy automaton, and Silena Beauregard (daughter of Aphrodite and to-be-girlfriend of Beckendorf). Not to mention Connor and Travis Stoll (brothers and sons of Hermes), Grover Underwood (hint- he likes tin cans), Thalia Grace (daughter of Zeus that was a tree (long story)), a certain Dr. Boring, a hell hound by the name of Mrs. O'Leary, Nico de Angelo (son of Hades, and brother of Bianca (who died)), a twisted not-so-flowers-and-nice-stuff Persephone (Goddess of Spring (more like seasons), and the Underworld), a very angry Hades (God of the Underworld), Sisyphus (yes, that Sisyphus), a Titan, and a few more dead people. It seems like Percy's life isn't much better than in the other books!

Rick Riordan is an amazing author, and I learned a lot of Greek Mythology from reading his books. Having trouble memorizing Greek Mythology? Check out the Percy Jackson series, and I swear you will have it memorized in no time! With Rick Riordan's books, Greek mythology is not something to be memorized, its something to be enjoyed! Thank you Mr. Riordan for making mythology much more fun!

*****I give this guide-file-thing a 9.5 out of 10. Read the books- they're even better!*****

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