Posts Tagged ‘Title N’

Nocturne (Ages 9-12)

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

+ + + Nocturne
Author:  L.D. Harkrader
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Mirrorstone (June 8, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0786955023
ISBN-13: 978-0786955022

Book description: A romantic tale of vampires and magic from award-winning author L.D. Harkrader

Flanders Lane is tired of being protected by her Uncle Anatole. After years of studying magic in the back of his bookshop, she’s ready for an adventure of her own. Then one day, strange things start happening. A burglar breaks into the butcher’s shop, stealing nothing, but leaving the floors sparkling clean. Soon the seamstress’s apprentice vanishes on her way home, leaving behind only a shoe still laced at the top. And then worst of all, Uncle Anatole disappears. That night, a young vampire hunter named Pascoe knocks urgently on the bookshop door. Pascoe insists there is a vampire lurking in nearby Blakely Hall. Flanders looks deep into Pascoe’s gorgeous eyes and finds herself agreeing to help him. As Flanders tracks the vampire, her feelings for Pascoe grow until she stumbles upon a secret that turns everything she thought she knew about Pascoe–and herself–upside down.

Book review: Nocturne is a companion novel to A Practical Guide to Vampires and is a nice read for those interested in a story about realizing who you are and growing stronger mixed with magic, love and vampires.  The story was a little predictable for me, but I did enjoy the characters and scenery in the story.  Also, I love the title.  It sounds cool.  I’d recommend this book to someone wanting to go deeper into the world of A Practical Guide to Vampires It does have romance, but also some action and mystery.  Give it a try.

- R.C., 16 yrs old

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Not All Princesses Dress in Pink (Ages 4-8)

Monday, May 24th, 2010

+ + + + Not All Princesses Wear Pink
Author: Jane Yolen & Heidi E. Y. Stemple
Illustrator:  Anne-Sphie Lanquetin
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (June 15, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416980180
ISBN-13: 978-1416980186

Book description: These princesses dig in the dirt, kick soccer balls, and splash in muddy puddles — all in their sparkly crowns!

Book review: A new take on princesses, one that is most welcome.

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Noodle Pie (Ages 9-12)

Monday, March 1st, 2010

+ + + + Noodle Pie
Author:  Ruth Starke
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 189 pages
Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers (March 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935279254
ISBN-13: 978-1935279259

Book description: It’s Andy’s first trip on an airplane when he and his dad travel to Vietnam to meet all his relatives. Talk about culture shock! Everyone calls him by his Vietnamese name instead of Andy and he is stunned to discover the family restaurant is nothing like what he expected. Somehow though, Andy helps his Vietnamese family and his dad come to see things in a new way.

Book review: Noodle Pie is a warm story about a boy who learns more about his Vietnamese family and their culture.  The main character, Andy, visits Vietnam for the first time with his father, an escaped refugee who is returning for the first time to visit his family.  Andy experiences culture shock and at first thinks little of his family and their small, dirty restaurant.  However, things change over time as he grows to understand and like his family.

I found Noodle Pie particularly interesting because it focuses on the Vietnamese culture which I didn’t know much about.  I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys coming-of-age stories. – R.C., 15-yrs-old.

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The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear (Ages 4-8)

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.

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National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010 (Ages 9-12)

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

* * * National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (May 26, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 142630501X
ISBN-13: 978-1426305016

Book description: Dare to explore—from modern day adventurers to close calls and narrow escapes. Amazing animals will take readers into the wild and into the water. Discover cultural connections from food, currency, literature and lots more from around the world. Read globe trotting geography, maps, travel, and famous landmarks and learn to go green and help out our threatened earth.

Book review: Excellent! Chock full of facts, stunning photos, games, jokes (even recipes) and so much more. For kids that gobble up trivia, this is a treasure trove of fun. Color coded sections make this an easy almanac to navigate and quickly turn to your most favorite facts.

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