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Archive for December, 2009
Friday, December 18th, 2009
 * * Conspiracy 365 January
Author: Gabrielle Lord
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers (January 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935279491
ISBN-13: 978-1935279495
Book description: On New Year’s Eve, Cal is chased down the street by a crazed man with a deadly warning: They killed your father. They’ll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days!
Forced into a life on the run, Cal finds himself hunted by ruthless criminals and the police. Somehow he must uncover the truth about his father’s mysterious death and solve the Ormond Singularity, a secret from the past, before the year is up. But who can he turn to when the whole world seems to want him dead? The clock is ticking. Any second could be his last. Callum Ormond has been warned. He has 365 days. The countdown has begun …
Book reviews: Lots of action, fast-paced, lots of puzzles…all addicting and I want to read the next installment! – R.c., 15 yrs old
This is great action and mystery that deals with conspiracies. Instead of chapters the book is sectioned by segments of time – I really liked that! – N.C., 15 yrs old
Tags: action, adventure, Ages 12-Up, Author last name L, Conspiracy 365, Highly Recommended titles, mystery, teen, Title C
Posted in Book Reviews |
Friday, December 18th, 2009
 * An African Tale
Author: Enna Neru
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (June 30, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432723480
ISBN-13: 978-1432723484
Book description: Africa, the land of extremes, drought, floods, beauty, devastation, vibrant life and miserable death. Into this land are born two children with a shared destiny and two very different backgrounds. One from a rural village in the Okavango Delta Botswana, with mud huts, no electricity and no mod cons. The other from Gaborone the capital city with all its westernizations of cell phones, TV’s, cars etc.
They are descended from Ledimo a semi god who for centuries was immortal and controlled the weather. However as we enter into the modern age his power slowly starts to fade and he becomes mortal. The power is still there though contained in a simple stone in the shape of a tornado looking very much like a diamond. It has been decreed that there will be two children born at the same time who will be able to harness the power of the stone but only if they are in agreement with each other.
Water is becoming an issue and there are powerful forces at work to control this resource.
We meet talking geckos, friendly snakes, flying donkeys and a host of other creatures as we travel from the beginning of human time to the present day.
Book review: Unique! This story has a fairytale feel to it complete with a talking gecko. This also seems to be the first in a series and if so, I look forward to reading more! – R.C., 15 yrs old
Tags: Africa, Ages 12-Up, Ages 9-12, Author last name N, fairytale, Recommended titles, Title A
Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
 * Spies of Mississippi: The True Story of the Spy Network that Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement
Author: Rick Bowers
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (January 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1426305958
ISBN-13: 978-1426305955
Book description: The Spies of Mississippi is a compelling story of how state spies tried to block voting rights for African Americans during the Civil Rights era. This book sheds new light on one of the most momentous periods in American history.
Author Rick Bowers has combed through primary-source materials and interviewed surviving activists named in once-secret files, as well as the writings and oral histories of Mississippi civil rights leaders. Readers get first-hand accounts of how neighbors spied on neighbors, teachers spied on students, ministers spied on church-goers, and spies even spied on spies.
The Spies of Mississippi will inspire readers with the stories of the brave citizens who overcame the forces of white supremacy to usher in a new era of hope and freedom—an age that has recently culminated in the election of Barack Obama.
Book review: I found this story interesting and amazing that anyone would go to such lengths to treat people this way. This book gives a clearer picture of the south in the 1950s and 1960s and how people attempted to infiltrate the civil rights groups and stop them from succeeding.
This text book style story is a good read. – R.C., 15 yrs old
Tags: Ages 12-Up, American history, Author last name B, Civil Rights, Mississippi, Recommended titles, Title S
Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
 * The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain
Author: Melissa Forney
Illustrator: Dave Olson
Hardcover
Publisher: Buttery Moon Multimedia, Inc. (2009)
ISBN-10: 0979009456
ISBN-13: 978-0979009457′
Book description: Told through 130 letters to her best friend, Martha, each of which includes memorable characters and original, historically accurate illustrations, The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain is an engaging, adventure-filled novel for the intermediate reader. A classic-in-the-making, Teddy’s story takes her through the ravages of a yellow fever outbreak, to the Ringling Circus, to the backwoods of primitive Florida-hundreds of miles away to the promise of land-down below Lake Okeechobee.
Book review: An interesting tale about a young girl who is traveling to Florida with her family in a wagon train. Teddy Bodain is smart tomboy who is curious about life and optimistic.
Recommended for younger children (10 yrs) and for people interested in historical fiction. If you like Little House on The Prairie, you’ll like this one. The illustrations were a nice touch.
- R.C., 15 yrs old
Tags: Ages 9-12, American history, Author last name F, diary, historical, Recommended titles, Title A, Title T, tween
Posted in Book Reviews |
Friday, December 4th, 2009
 * Stop It!
Author: Sally O. Lee
Paperback: 36 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (October 26, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439261148
ISBN-13: 978-1439261149
Book review: How do you stop a bully? By standing up for yourself and firmly shouting: Stop it!
Read along as Anabel plays dress-up and George teases her by stealing her dress up clothes and pulling her cat’s tail.
This little book helps kids (and siblings) stand up for themselves and shows bullies it’s not okay to tease others. A great book to begin a conversation with your kids about the subject.
Tags: Ages 4-8, Author last name L, bullies, bullying, Recommended titles, Title S
Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
 * * * Braving the Storm
Illustrator: John White
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: CBH Minstries; 1st. edition (2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982512031
ISBN-13: 978-0982512036
Book description: When Thomás moves away from his neighborhood and into a mobile home in his grandparents’ backyard, he misses his friends. There’s nothing to do around the apple orchard with no friends, his dad works a lot, and his little brother was hurt in an accident. All his sister wants to do is play with her dolls. Will Thomás be able to rely on God to get through the difficult times?
Book review: This is a very difficult story dealing with the age-old questions: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” and “If God is all-powerful and all-loving why does he allow bad things to happen?” Not only is there a Christian message of hope, but the warmth of family and the faith they share envelopes the main character and the reader delivering a powerful message of God’s love, providence and faithfulness. A must read especially if your kiddo/family is struggling to deal with very trying circumstances like an illness or job loss.
Tags: Ages 9-12, Author last name W, Christian, family, illness, Outstanding titles, Title B
Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
 * * * Seventy Seven Tomes Seven
Illustrator: John White
Paperback
Publisher: CBH Ministries; 1st. edition (2009)
ISBN-10: 0982512023
ISBN-13: 978-0982512029
Book description: Batter up! When Brad accidentally breaks the ice cream shop’s sign, the owner forgives Brad. But when his best friend Doug ruins Brad’s favorite baseball cap, will he be able to forgive Doug?
Book review: A very good story about forgiveness. What is especially appealing about this series is that the faith lessons are shared in a way that is so easy to grasp. Kids will relate to the situations and identify with the characters. I heartily recommend these books.
Tags: Ages 6-10, Author last name W, Christian, forgiveness, friendship, Outstanding titles, Title S
Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
 * * * You Can’t Come In
Illustrator: Robert Sauber
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: CBH Ministries; 1ST edition (2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982512015
ISBN-13: 978-0982512012
Book description: Adam and his new friend Zack decide to build a tree fort one warm summer day. After zooming down a hill and falling into a muddy pond, Zack asks Adam about going to church and salvation. Will Adam be able to explain his faith to Zack?
Book review: The way Adam explains his faith to Zack, and then how Zack in turn explains faith to his mother, is superbly done. The message fits into the story seamlessly, never robbing the reader of the pleasure of the story while introducing the faith in a meaningful way. Loved it. Well done.
Tags: Ages 6-10, Author last name S, Christian, friendship, Outstanding titles, Title Y
Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
* * * Race With Midnight
Illustrator: Robert Sauber
Paperback
Publisher: CBH Ministries; 1ST edition (2009)
ISBN-10: 0982512007
ISBN-13: 978-0982512005
Book description: Becky spends spring break on her cousin Sarah’s horse farm in Montana. Taking horse rides amidst the beautiful mountains and valleys, Becky tries to share her faith with Sarah while talking about God’s creation. Will Sarah listen?
Book review: Very well done. A great story with a great message. I love the family values (reminds me of the old Golden Book Lassie stories) and the easy way faith is shared. This is a feel-good story without a heavy-hand at all. Readers will jump right in and want to know what happens next. I can’t think of a better way to share the faith.
Tags: Ages 6-10, Author last name S, Christian, family values, friendship, horses, Outstanding titles, Title R
Posted in Book Reviews |
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
 * * Shadowmask
Author: R. A. Salvatore, Geno Salvatore
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (November 10, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786951478
ISBN-13: 978-0786951475
Book description: Cross swords with a blue-skinned pirate and unravel the mystery of the masked spellcaster in this second book of the Stone of Tymora trilogy!
Though robbed by a masked spellcaster and left for dead by a demon, twelve-year-old Maimun refuses to give up the magic that rightfully belongs to him. After reuniting with dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden and Captain Deudermont’s crew, Maimun sets off on a sea-faring chase that will test both the strength of his spirit and of his friendships. As perilous storms rock Sea Sprite and vicious pirates bombard its decks, a mysterious force gathers in the Moonshaes, determined to bring Deudermont’s ship – and Maimun’s quest – crashing to an end on its shores.
In this second book of the Stone of Tymora trilogy, R.A. Salvatore and his son Geno continue their gripping tale of coming-of-age in a world filled with magic, featuring a cameo of R.A. Salvatore’s signature character Drizzt Do’Urden.
Book review: I was glad to read this continuation of the first story and I can’t wait to read the third book. I definitely want to know what happens next. The plot is somewhat predicatable and the main character is annoying but it was still a good story that has me wanting to read more. The magic was especially good. – R.C., 15-yrs old
Tags: adventure, Ages 9-12, Author last name S, fantasy, Highly Recommended titles, Title S
Posted in Book Reviews |
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
 * I Am Jack
Author: Susanne Gervay
Illustrator: Cathy Wilcox
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Publisher: Tricycle Press (October 13, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1582462860
ISBN-13: 978-1582462868
Book review: Even though the reading level for this book is age 9-12, this would be great for ages 7-8, too. I Am Jack has a good message: Get help if you are being bullied. It really supports children’s individuality, too. – N.C., 15-yrs old
Tags: Ages 9-12, Author last name G, bullies, bullying, friendship, Recommended titles, Title I
Posted in Book Reviews |
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* * Conspiracy 365 January
