Reviews Juvenile Books

Island’s end / Padma Venkatraman.

September 8, 2014

9/8/2014 I enjoyed this very much. For the purpose of recommending to kids I would categorize it along with the works of Jean Craighead George, Scott O’Dell and perhaps Gary Paulson. They each build stories . . . read more »

Malcolm at midnight / by W.H. Beck ; pictures by Brian Lies.

June 24, 2013

6/24/13 I love mouse stories…this one is about a rat who is small and mistaken for a mouse…since no one likes rats, he has to prove his courage and integrity. In an old castle style . . . read more »

The one and only Ivan / Katherine Applegate; illustrations by Patricia Castelao.

February 20, 2013

2/15/13. I read this in one big gulp. It’s very simply told making it accessible to challenged or reluctant readers; but make no mistake, it is deep and compelling. Slightly reminiscent of “Not Everyone Can . . . read more »

Splendors and glooms / Laura Amy Schlitz.

February 20, 2013

2/12/13What a terrific book! The best I’ve read for a while. A completely engaging fantasy with almost Dickensian characters and setting. Richly detailed but with plenty of action; deliciously dark and mysterious but full of . . . read more »

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 »

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 »

Blanche of the blueberry barrens / by Anne Molloy ; illustrated with linoleum cuts by Arline K. Thomson.

April 13, 2012

Good old fashioned coming of age story – well – she’s 11! Trusted with the huge responsibility of housekeeping and babysitting while family is off blueberrying – they go to the barrens each year – . . . 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 »

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 »