Book Review Key 2010+
+ + + + + Outstanding
+ + + + Highly Recommended
+ + + Recommended
+ + Average
+ Poor
|
SEARCH BELOW FOR RECENT BOOK REVIEWS
Don't forget to check the archives further down for older reviews.
|
.





|
| *You may publish these book reviews on your website or in your ezine or newsletter. Please include the following byline with each book review:Book review by Lisa Barker, http://www.biblioreads.com |
Posts Tagged ‘Author last name L’
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
+ + + Conspiracy 365 May
Author: Gabrielle Lord
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers (May 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935279548
ISBN-13: 978-1935279549
Book description: A fast-moving twelve-volume crime thriller series from a bestselling Australian author. On New Year’s Eve, Callum Ormond 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! Cal has hit rock bottom. He’s lost the only clues he had to the Ormond Singularity: the family secret that’s turned his life into a nightmare. And now, trapped in a high-security prison for the insane, he’s lost his identity too. Against all the odds, he must escape and carry on his father’s quest for the truth – but how? Nobody knows where he is, and no one can hear him scream. He has 235 days. His life is on the line …
Book review: Conspiracy 365 May is a great expansion to the 365 series. I felt that May wasn’t as fast-paced as the other months, but it definitely gives a lot more information on the Ormond riddle while adding to the mystery. A quick preview on what to expect: asylums, escapes, chases, a jet and a magpie. Sounds interesting, right?
- R.C., 16 yrs old

Tags: adventure, Ages 12-Up, Author last name L, Conspiracy 365, mystery, Recommended titles, suspense, Title C Posted in Book Reviews |
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
+ + + April (Conspiracy 365)
Author: Gabrielle Lord
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers (April 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 193527953X
ISBN-13: 978-1935279532
Book review: Fans of the series won’t be disappointed with Conspiracy 365 April. More thrills, chills, and answers that give more questions. Yup. This book definitely gives more information about the Ormand Riddle, like a few clues from the riddle itself. This book has night chases through the woods, hospital visits, Winter drama, and, in my opinion, a scary cliff hanger at the end. (I don’t know how Cal’s going to get out of this one, but I’m glad I’m not him.) A must read for the thrill seekers already addicted to the series. If you haven’t started yet, pick up the first book; you’ll want to start at the beginning.
Review by R.C.;16 yrs old

Tags: adventure, Ages 12-Up, Author last name L, Conspiracy 365, Recommended titles, suspense, teen, thriller, Title A, Title C Posted in Book Reviews |
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
+ + + March (Conspiracy 365)
Author: Gabrielle Lord
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books (March 4, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0340996463
ISBN-13: 978-0340996461
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! Now everyone’s searching for Cal, the psycho kid who’s meant to have attacked his uncle and put his sister in a coma. He’s desperate to clear his name and protect his family, but he also has less than a year to solve an ancient family secret: the Ormond Singularity. And the closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous his life becomes. He has 306 days. The threat is growing…
Book review: Okay, book three of the series. By now those who have read the first two know that to expect: suspense, mystery, betrayal, desperate situations, and cliffhangers at the end of every chapter, and that’s why we’re still reading. Cal’s still on the run, of course, running into new characters and finding more information on the mysterious pictures his dad left to him. If you enjoyed the first two, you’ll love this one as well. If you read the first two books, you’re going to read this one; after all, you want to know what happens next right?
Review by R.C.; 16 yrs old

Tags: adventure, Ages 12-Up, Author last name L, Conspiracy 365, mystery, Recommended titles, suspense, teen, thriller, Title M. Title C Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
+ + + + Red, White & Awesome!
Author: Angie Lewtschuk
Illustrator: Markus Lewtschuk
Second Edition
Language(s): ENG
40 pages
Published by Angie & Markus Lewtschuk on April 7th, 2010
Available Formats: 8.5″x11″ color hardcover
Book description: Take a patriotic journey through the great American experience with Uncle Sam as your guide. With great enthusiasm, Sam explains why the United States of America is so Red, White, and Awesome!
Book review: An excellent book for younger kiddos that will surely fire up enthusiasm for our country. Reminds me of patriotism when I was a kid in school back in the early seventies. Kids were proud of their country and I would love to see kids fired up again like that–this book can be part of that. This is a great book for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veteran’s day. Will help children begin to develop an understanding and appreciation for their country. I look forward to using this book with home school curriculum.

Tags: 4th of July, Ages 4-8, American history, Author last name L, Highly Recommended titles, patriotism, Title R, United States Posted in Book Reviews |
Monday, May 24th, 2010
+ + + + + The Secret Lives of Princesses
Author: Philippe Lechermeier
Illustrator: Rebecca Dautremer
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 88 pages
Publisher: Sterling (June 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402766777
ISBN-13: 978-1402766770
Book description: Revealed for the first time in history…the secret lives of princesses you’ve never heard of.
Stepping from the shadows at last are such unique and captivating characters as Princess Claire Voyant, who can see into the future, but always muddles her predictions. Then there’s Princess Tangra-la, known for exquisite dancing, and Princess babbling Brooke, who chatters on about everything and nothing. And who wouldn’t want to meet the Princess of Disorient, who invents all manner of nonsensical celebrations?
As mysterious as they are beautiful, and as eccentric as they are intelligent, these fascinating royal ladies await your discovery.
Book review: If Shel Silverstein had decided to write a guide on princesses it would look something like The Secret Lives of Princesses. Funny, kooky, charming, creative and witty this book will provide hours of absorbing fun. You definitely won’t be bored by average run-of-the-mill princesses in these pages. Some of the most hilarious and eccentric divas will enchant and inspire you to create or become one of your very own. This was a pleasure to read; so refreshingly unique and entertaining!

Tags: Ages 9-12, Author last name L, fairytale, fantasy, guide, humor, Outstanding titles, princesses, Title S Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
+ + + + Is There a Monster Over There?
Author/Illustrator: Sally O. Lee
Paperback: 36 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (February 13, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1450531024
ISBN-13: 978-1450531023
Book description: Mabel and her cat Tiffany are afraid of monsters. Mabel thinks they are hiding under her bed or in her closet. One day she decides to face the monster and she learns an important lesson about overcoming fears.
Book review: The illustrations perfectly match the mood of the story, evolving from scary to imaginatively playful as Mabel overcomes her fear of monsters. What a great story for young readers who are afraid of the dark; a really non-threatening way of facing those scary beasties and making friends with them.

Tags: Ages 4-5, Ages 4-8, Author last name L, bedtime, bedtime story, Highly Recommended titles, monsters, scary, Title I Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
+ + + + The Best Family in the World
Author: Susana Lopez
Illustrator: Ulises Wensell
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: Kane Miller Book Publishers; 1 edition (January 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935279475
ISBN-13: 978-1935279471
Book description: Carlota is being adopted tomorrow! As she anxiously waits for her new family, she wonders what they’ll be like. She imagines all kinds of wonderful families…astronauts, pastry chefs, even pirates! How nice to find out that they are all that and more…the best family in the world.
Book description: This is a great read. Carlota’s every dream of the perfect family builds anticipation and prepares her and the reader for the happy ending – a forever family. Just the right book to prepare a child waiting to be adopted.

Tags: adoption, Ages 4-8, Author last name L, family, Highly Recommended titles, Title B Posted in Book Reviews |
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
+ + + + Think Again
Author: JonArno Lawson
Illustrator: Julie Morstad
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd. (March 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554534232
ISBN-13: 978-1554534234
.
Book description:
Make sure that your heart
Isn’t too well-defended.
Your heart is designed
To be broken and mended.
~The Heart
These quietly beautiful and surprisingly humorous four-line poems reveal the many aspects of first love the longing, the frustration and the joy. The poet writes not from a single point of view but instead embraces the duality of first love, alternating between the perspectives of a boy and a girl. The poems and revealing illustrations by Julie Morstad combine to inspire young readers to think … and think again.
Book review: Like a journey to the past, Think Again brought me right back to the doorstep of my first love. Serious, humorous, ironic, tenderly painful and painfully tender, Think Again perfectly captures love, depression, self-discovery and the earnest yearning and angst of youth with all its quirks, intelligence and idealism. The illustrations by Julie Morstad are perfectly married to each little poem, artfully setting the mood for this little book of poetry.

Tags: Ages 12-Up, Author last name L, Highly Recommended titles, poetry, teen, Title T Posted in Book Reviews |
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
+ + + + Mattoo, Let’s Play!
Author: Irene Luxbacher
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd. (February 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554534240
ISBN-13: 978-1554534241
Book description: Ruby can’t understand why her cat, Mattoo, never wants to play. Ruby is good-natured but is perhaps too boisterous. Will Mattoo ever want to play with Ruby? Will Ruby ever win Mattoo’s affection?
Book review: This will strike your kiddo as humorous, especially if you own a cat. A great way to introduce little ones to cats and their temperament. Loved the illustrations and the whole concept of this noisy little girl being just a bit rambunctious with her cat. Silly, fun and a good lesson. A great read.

Tags: Ages 4-8, animals, Author last name L, care of pets, cats, Highly Recommended titles, humor, pets, silly, Title M Posted in Book Reviews |
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 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 |
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
* The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear
Author: David Bruins and Hilary Leung
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554534860
ISBN-13: 978-1554534869
Book description: The ninja, the cowboy and the bear do everything together — they paint pictures, compare cloud shapes in the sky, fly kites and much more. Though each friend is very different from one another, they enjoy each other’s company. Until one day when they begin quarreling and compete to see which one is the best. The bear can pile up rocks the highest. The cowboy can collect the most raspberries. The ninja can catch the most rabbits. When each contest leads to more resentment, it seems the friends will never stop disagreeing. Only when they learn to be considerate of their differences do they finally realize how much they appreciate each other.
Book review: Cute, silly and fun. A great story to show that no one has to be the best. The illustrations are remarkable and perfect for this story.
Tags: Ages 4-8, animals, Author last name B, Author last name L, friendship, Recommended titles, Title L, Title N Posted in Book Reviews |
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
* * My Fishing journal
Author: Louis Gary Lamit
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (December 8, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439217696
ISBN-13: 978-1439217696
Book description: This journal is for those who want to document their fishing trips and also save it for later in life to better recall these special times.
Book review: This is really great–the perfect gift for the young (and older) avid fishermen. Record all the details and memories of your day. Save them to share with the next generation.
Tags: Ages 12-Up, Ages 9-12, Author last name L, fisging, Highly Recommended titles, journal, sports, Title M Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
* Wally the Walking Fish: Meets Madison and Cooper
Author: Gary Lamit
Paperback: 28 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (May 28, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1439225419
ISBN-13: 978-1439225417
Book description: Wally the Walking Fish Meets Madison and Cooper is a fun-filled fantasy adventure that the whole family will enjoy. When little pig-tailed Madison takes her grumpy always-hungry yellow dog fishing, they both discover Wally, an amazing walking fish! With Wally at their side, the new group of friends learns fun facts about mushrooms, beavers, fish, and dogs.
Book review: Cute and educational. I really liked the boxed facts about each of the creatures in the book. Creatively informative; imaginative.
Tags: Ages 6-10, animal science, Author last name L, dogs, fish, Recommended titles, Title W Posted in Book Reviews |
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
* Lake Monster Mix-Up – A Sam & Friends Mystery
Author: Mary Labatt
Illustrator: Jo Rioux
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (August 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1553373022
ISBN-13: 978-1553373025
Book description: In the second book in the Sam & Friends Mystery graphic novel series, canine sleuth Sam is bored at the prospect of spending a cottage weekend at Sagawa Lake – until she hears that the lake has a deep, dark secret. This is exactly what Sam wants to hear and sure enough, with help from Jennie and Beth, Sam finds an old diary hidden in the wall of their cabin and what they read there is chilling. Is it the key to the secret of Sagawa Lake? What about the strange face painted on the rock, near the water’s edge – and the creepy cave nearby? Something lurks in the depths of the lake. All they need is proof, which Sam is determined to obtain at all costs.
Book review: If your 9-12 yr old hasn’t been bitten by the reading bug, or if she’s letting her reading time slip away, a Sam & Friend’s Mystery is sure to grab her attention and make a convert or revert out of her. Page-turning fun! Might even engage the younger crowd. My six-year old gobbles these up.
Tags: Author last name L, comic book, girls, graphic novel, mystery, Recommended titles, scary, Title L Posted in Book Reviews |
|