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 »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Young Adult Books

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 »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

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 »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Young Adult Books

Anna Hibiscus / by Atinuke ; illustrated by Lauren Tobia.

October 1, 2011

A terrific ER/FCB! About a little girl in Africa with huge African Family – Dad is native and Mom is Canadian – So many fabulous cultural pieces to the story – showing differences/similarities. Very good . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Children's Books

The Cruisers / Walter Dean Myers.

August 8, 2011

It took me a while to be comfortable with the “street dialect” if that’s the proper way to refer to the speech used by these inner city kids – but – that grew on me . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

The magician’s elephant / Kate DiCamillo ; illustrated by Yoko Tanaka.

September 17, 2009

A beautiful haunting hopeful fantasy – It reminds me of The Invention of Hugo Cabret in mood, setting, illustrations, tone – very quick but deep – a seemingly bizarre story but perfect! I want to . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

The fig tree / by Eleanor Francis Lattimore

September 17, 2009

Wondering about weeding her books – they don’t go out often – guess I won’t weed this one – a charming old fashioned childhood story a little girl, tomboyish, with brothers learns to sew and . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Children's Books

Wings / by E.D. Baker.

September 10, 2009

I read it quickly because I liked the two main characters – a girl and boy,  both halflings and orphaned at birth and lots of fun elements from the world of the Fey but no . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

The house of djinn / Suzanne Fisher Staples.

August 20, 2009

I wish I’d had time to re-read Shabanu & Haveli – bit I didn’t – I was confused at first about who everyone was and found I had to transfer my memory of Shabanu to . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

The truth about horses, friends, & my life as a coward / by Sarah P. Gibson ; illustrated by Glin Dibley.

August 19, 2009

Funny very realistic look at the un-romantic side of keeping and riding horses – the main character is great – afraid of real danger but brave too – the horses are funny and dear and . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books