Book Reviews – Kids

The Crowfield curse / Pat Walsh.

February 20, 2013

This was a lively story with plenty of action right from the beginning. I couldn’t help thinking it would be good for an impatient reader who doesn’t like to invest much to “get into a . . . read more »

Son / by Lois Lowry.

February 1, 2013

Son by Lois Lowry 2012 I loved Son. It was exciting to connect with characters from the Giver again and find them as deep and rich as I have remembered them for so many years. . . . read more »

Marty McGuire digs worms! / by Kate Messner ; illustrated by Brian Floca.

October 2, 2012

A terrific little book I can recommend to everyone! Marty is a spirited and curious third grader challenged to help save the earth via a science project. She is a girl who appreciates the little . . . read more »

We can’t all be rattlesnakes / Patrick Jennings.

April 28, 2012

2009 Terrific book…I’m so glad I finally read it! Yes, I loved a book with a snake as the main character…amazing. It’s a short clever story that really gets to the heart of human relationship . . . read more »

The cats in the doll shop / by Yona Zeldis McDonough ; illustrated by Heather Maione.

April 28, 2012

2011 I loved this book as much as the first about this family published in 2009, The Doll Shop Downstairs. It’s just a great family story and I’ll love recommending it. I won’t have to . . . read more »

The doll shop downstairs / by Yona Zeldis McDonough ; illustrated by Heather Maione.

April 26, 2012

I hate to overuse the phrase but this is a “nice old fashioned story.” It is historical fiction based on the origin of Madam Alexander Dolls – During World War I a doll repair shop . . . read more »

Kildee House / Rutherford Montgomery ; illustrations by Barbara Cooney.

April 13, 2012

Sweet book. Issues: “Wife walked out” referring to raccoons Mountain people “a feud” a shot gun Death of raccoon Pipe smoking – lots! Good messages though! hunting issue feuding kids make friends very respectful of animals . . . read more »

Beauty queens / Libba Bray.

April 3, 2012

This book was a challenge for me – way too bizarre! At first I was repulsed by the characterzation of beauty queens as shallow, competitive Barbie Doll types – not convincingly done and too trite . . . read more »

Understood Betsy / Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Illustrated by Martha Alexander

April 3, 2012

I loved this quaint little old fashioned story – OK, the writing is a little odd, especially at first – but once you’re in a few chapters it’s OK – She consults with the reader . . . read more »

White cat / Holly Black.

October 1, 2011

Whew! Had to read this in a day – Basically a story of mob families – with fantasy element of “special abilities” added. Called “Workers” they can change emotions or memories or transform other people . . . read more »