It’s very hard to summarize this book without giving anything away. Let’s see…. Jonah Skidmore was adopted when he was three months old. Just before his thirteenth birthday, he receives a cryptic message in the mail and he starts questioning the little that he knows about his past. Very, very bare bones there. After getting Continue Reading…
Magyk by Angie Sage: Book Review
The seventh son of the seventh son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby’s father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a new born girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into Continue Reading…
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo: Book Review
Despereaux was born different. He’s super-small and his eyes opened right away. And as he grows older, he’s decidedly un-mousy in his behavior. In fact, he falls in love with Princess Pea. What will he do for her? I was drawn into this dreamy fairy tale from the first page. I can’t say that I Continue Reading…
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente: Book Review
September is bored at home. Her dad is fighting a far-off war and her mom is working long shifts at the factory. When the Green Wind comes along and offers to take her to fairyland, she jumps at the chance. But all is not well in fairyland. Good Queen Mallow has disappeared and The Marquess Continue Reading…
Elliot and the Goblin War by Jennifer A. Nielsen: Book Review
Elliot somehow finds himself appointed King of the Brownies (not the kind you eat–the kind that likes to clean your house as you sleep. I’d be happy with either of them in my house). He first came to the Brownies’ attention after he saved one of them from some evil Goblins on Halloween night. That Continue Reading…
Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull: Book Review
Kendra and Seth are nearing the end of the school year when a new guy joins Kendra’s class. The other girls talk about how cute he is, but all Kendra sees is a disgusting goblin who plays cruel tricks on people. A mysterious stranger offers to help them get rid of the goblin (or kobold, Continue Reading…
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke: Book Review
Meggie Folchart and her father, Mo, find themselves on the run from a mysterious man that Meggie knows only as “Capricorn.” Capricorn is chasing after them, trying to steal a book that they own, and he won’t stop at anything to get it. First off, let me say that I’m about 20 years older than Continue Reading…
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman: Book Review
Twelve-year-old Odd doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of his village. He crushed his leg when he was younger and that’s left him with a limp. He’d rather be carving alone in the woods than hanging out in the hall with the other villagers fighting and telling stories. His stepfather is just awful. So Continue Reading…
When Santa Fell to Earth by Cornelia Funke: Book Review
Twinklestar, the last reindeer, panics in a thunderstorm and sends Santa’s caravan plunging toward the ground. After making sure everyone is okay, Niklas Goodfellow, the last real Santa, realizes that he has come to earth in a territory controlled by the evil new head Santa, Gerold Goblynch. Niklas is on the run from Goblynch and Continue Reading…
Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale
Take Rapunzel and plunk her down smack-dab in the middle of a Louis L’Amour book and you have the gist of this fun graphic novel. The framework of Rapunzel is here. Hungry mom, eager-to-please dad, evil witch, girl with crazy-long hair in a tower. But that’s about where the similarities end. See, Rapunzel doesn’t want Continue Reading…
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Kendra and Seth have been shipped off to stay with their dad’s parents, the grandparents they barely know. Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson rarely show up for visits and they never invite the family for a visit. But when there’s no one else to turn to, they reluctantly agree to let Kendra and Seth stay with Continue Reading…