Stars: *****

This was read for the Book Awards Challenge, Read it Again Challenge and Newbery Project.

I first read this in grade school and loved it. When I saw I needed to read it for the Newbery Project I decided to reread it and I'm glad I did. I remembered it almost exactly and I enjoyed it very much again. I love his writing and would like to try some more of his books to see if they are as well written.

Stars: ****

I recieved this book from MotherTalk.

I asked to review this book because I’ve been intrigued by life in Muslim countries. I’ve read other books on Muslim culture so I asked to review this one.

Stars: **** This book was read for the Young Adult Challenge and the Reading My Name Challenge

Summary: At first Eliza is happy with her new life at boarding school. But a bond begins to develop between Eliza and Helen, a mischievous, unpopular girl, who defies authority, plays practical jokes and doesn’t seem to care what others think of her. It is Helen who starts the daring game among the five girls in the Yellow Dorm…

I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to get a taste of boarding school other than Harry Potter. Many things were the same though, such as the strict rules and dress code and collecting house points. This school (Ashdown Academy) is also open to day students and takes students from Grade 1- Grade 12. Eliza and her friends are in Grade 7 which I think is quite young to board. I could never do it at age 12.

Stars: **** This book was read for the Celebrate the Author challenge.

Celebrate the Author Note:
Dr. Seuss is one of my favourite children’s authors so I didn’t want to cheat and just re-read some of his books that I’ve read a million times. So I decided I’d read a few of this books I haven’t read yet as well as a book about his life.

This book is the second book Dr. Seuss ever wrote. It was published in 1938. It’s one of the longer ones, for ages 6 and up. It’s the story of Bartholomew Cubbins, a poor country boy, who removes his hat for the King only to find another hat in it’s place. Each time he takes a hat off, an identical one magically appears on his head. He is arrested and brought to the King’s Throne Room where many people try to get his hat off, to no avail. Will they ever stop coming?

Stars: ****

I received this book to review from Tundra Books.

Summary: When 14 year old Neil’s uncle Chester dies, Neil is lonely. At his uncle’s cremation, he hears thumping in the coffin just as it’s put into the flames. Could Uncle Chester be alive? So Neil starts an investigation. A disembodied voice in an old stable tells him that Chester’s passing is not the only mysterious death in town, Neil along with his friend Graham work to get to the bottom of what’s happening.

Stars: *****

I received this book for review. It was also read for the Pub in 08 and In Their Shoes challenge.

Stars: ***1/2I read this book for the Four-Legged Friends and In Their Shoes challenges.

This book wasn’t exactly what I was imagining it to be. With a title of Dog Years and a genre of memoir, it was obvious it would be about someone’s life with dogs. However it’s more than that. It delves into the author’s life more than the average memoir and in fact, it’s labelled with a biography sticker at my library. The first 4 chapters I found quite dry and hard to follow. The antedotes about the dogs were interesting but he seemed to ramble on about his life and his view of life. From chapter 5 on however it got better. The stories got more interesting and I could tell there was a shift in style so that the story flowed easier.

Stars: ****

This book was read for the Celebrate the Author challenge.

I remember reading one of two books by Beverly Cleary as a child but I didn’t read them as much as other kids. I had never read this one.

It is a really cute story of Socks the cat from a few weeks after he’s born when he’s being sold on throughout the first few years of his life. The story is told by Socks himself, so we get a picture of what cats may think, or at least would think if their brains worked like ours.

Socks is happy with his life until his new family brings home a wriggling bundle wrapped in blankets and soon his life is turned upside down. Socks isn’t the favourite anymore, what’s he to do?

I really enjoyed hearing the story from Socks point of view, very creative. Everything he said seemed believable. It was what I would expect my cat to say. I can see why this is a favourite of children.

Stars: ****

I was interested in reading this book ever since I first read a review of it. I’ve seen so many reviews for it since that I can’t remember where I first saw it! I finally was able to fit time in to read it for the Bibliography challenge and Book Around the World challenge and I’m glad I did.

Stars: *****

I'm including this as a book for the Africa Reading Challenge but will still be reading all the other ones since this is just a picture book.

This is book I just picked up at the library. It’s in the 2-3 years section but I think it should be 4-8. The book goes through the alphabet and for each letter something about African life is talked about.

For example:
“Cc is for a Canoe to paddle down the river. Canoes are used for fishing and carrying goods to market. People may visit their friends or take their children to school by canoe.”
“Rr is for river. Africans believe many rivers are sacred. In villages, they take care to keep their river clean and they set aside special areas for fishing, washing and swimming.”

The pictures are full-colour photos of kids and people in Africa. When I read it to my 2 year old I just explained each picture in my own words and she really enjoyed it.

Stars: ****1/2
I received a copy of this book for review. I also read it for the Pub in '08 challenge.

Summary: In “My Soul to Keep,” Dylan Foster is once again caught in a bizarre and twisted chain of events. A parent’s worst nightmare comes true and a birthday party that should be filled with joy is turned awry when a little boy close to Dylan’s heart is snatched from a local park. With little evidence to point the way, local law enforcement is led through a chain of mystifying events that seem to go no where. With the help of an intuitive six-year-old girl who is eerily connected to the missing boy, Dylan follows a path of tantalizing clues to the truth. With the sinister presence of Peter Terry never far behind, Dylan is led to a place she never expected – or wanted – to go.

Stars: ****1/2

This book was read for the Newbery Project and the Decades 08 Challenge.

NOTE: The picture isn't of the version I read but I can't find it right now. When I go home I'll write down the ISBN and next time come and find the right graphic.

I had never heard of Doctor Dolittle until the Eddie Murphy movie came out and although the movie was silly, the idea of being able to talk to animals was an interesting one. So when I found out it was a book first I knew I wanted to read it. One day I found it at a library sale and I took it home.

Stars: ***1/2

Summary: The only witness to a tragedy loses her memory and an innocent may be in prison for the crime. Whale Song asks the difficult questions: which is the higher morality - love or law?

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book other than there would be whales in it. The summary above comes from the back of the book and doesn't say much. I'll tell you a little more about the book so you can properly decide if it's your kind of book but don't worry, I'd never reveal too much or spoil and ending.

The main character is an 11 year old girl whose family moves to a small town where most of the inhabitants are Native Canadians. The book is Children's Fiction but for older children, say 12 and up. A large portion of the book has stories, myths and history of Native Canadians, specifically Huuayaht. I found this very interesting.

Stars: *****

This is the first audio book I’ve ever heard/read. I listened to it on my ipod mini as I walked to and from playgroups and the library with my kids. I’ve always been wary of audio books for two reasons. 1. I didn’t think they were really reading, that they didn’t count. 2. I didn’t think I could follow it.

Stars: ****

This book was read for the Unread Authors Challenge and because I won it in a contest.

I actually read this a few months ago but didn't get a chance to review it.

I really enjoyed this book, the storyline was very well thoughtout and very interesting. My only problem with this book was it was a little long. I like books that cut to the chase and don't have a lot of insignifcant detail (like Ray Bradbury.) I think a few chapters could have been cut from this book and it would still have been fine.

Stars: ****

This book was read for the Four-Legged Friends challenge and the Fall Into Reading challenge. This book was read in November.

This is a tween novel, ages 9 and up about a boy who is thrown overboard of a ship to save his life and is washed up on an island full of dogs. The dogs were left behind by the former islanders. The dogs have split into two groups, with the more wild dogs called Fangoes by the sheep dogs. However it's been a while since people were on the island and most of the dogs don't remember humans. The boy, Jack, is the first human they've seen and he doesn't fit what they have heard about humans.

Stars: ****1/2

I watch the cartoon every year and thought it was about time I read the book. I counted this as a R.I.P. II Challenge book. I actually read it a few days before Halloween just forgot to review it till now. Oops.

I enjoyed the book although I enjoyed the cartoon more. There were a few parts that were a little wordy for me, (apparently Bradbury's style.)

It's a great Halloween book for those 12 and up to learn about the history and customs of Halloween. Where trick-or-treating and costumes come from. Very educational.

Stars: ****

The author of The Bare Naked Book and Red is Best has a new book!

Summary: The farm is the perfect place for a little girl's playful - and sometimes surprising - observations of the things found "inside" other things. With questions that encourage preschoolers to chime in, this delightful picture book is an ideal read-aloud.

My daughter likes this book, marketed for ages 2-5. Children of this age love repetition and while the things keep changing, the fact that they are inside something else doesn’t and I think that’s what will attract children to it. Also a question is asked first (Can a tree have a cow in it?) which encourages children to interact and give an answer. My daughter found this fun.

Here's a blogging meme I stole from Dewey. I should have another review posted tomorrow on The Grass is Singing, another Doris Lessing novel.

1. Do you remember learning to read? How old were you?
According to my grandmother, I learned to read at two. I can’t help but think she’s exaggerating, though. Perhaps she just means that I would read back the stories that she read to me. If she is correct, I’m a genius and I should be elected next ruler of the world. That is all.

2. What do you find most challenging to read?
I don't so much find anything in particular challenging to read; I do, however, find it challenging to read after a long day or when I'm tired. It's right to sleep if I do.

3. What are your library habits?

Stars: *****

I recieved this book for review from Random House.
Wow. Received for review and I’m so glad. This is similar to A Far Cry From Home but mostly the story of one girl instead of many. I have not read Girlbomb which is the author’s story of herself homeless.

Stars: *****

I chose this book because I picked it up at a library sale but I’m 95% sure I’ve actually read this once before. This is also the first 5 Star book of 2008. (Even thought it's not the first 5-star review posted.) I also read this for the Casual Reading Challenge.

It’s the story of Lauren and her friend Andrea who both feel too fat and want to lose weight. Only Andrea takes it too far. It’s the story of Anorexia and a teen girl’s pressure to be thin. It’s told very well and I think it would be the perfect book to read along with your teen and discuss. I think if more parents discussed this book with their teens, we might make teens more aware of anorexia and the warning signs.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to all teen girls ages 12 and up.

Stars: ***1/2

This book is the 1992 winner of the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award.

Summary: The daughter of an apothecary and the owner of a secret book of healing arts, Urusla is determined to become a great heler – but her ambition makes her an outsider in the Holy Roman Empire. When she is accused of witchcraft and sentenced to burn at the stake, she is given one chance to save herself: she must march in the People’s Crusade to the holy city of Jerusalem. Along with her father and her friend Bruno, Urusla joins thousands of other pilgrims on a harrowing journey, which will expose the dark side of the “glorious” Crusades, and change her life forever.

Stars: **1/2

I read this book the last few days of October (I thought I'd already reviewed it) for an online group however I was counting it towards an extra R.I.P. II Challenge book as well.

Lots of people read this book for the RIP challenge but I seem to be the only one who didn't like it. I didn't like it for the same reason others liked it. It's too wordy for me. I don't like long, detailed descriptions. I like short and concise. For me, the plot got lost in the descriptions. Half the time I had no idea what was going on.

This review is part of the Mother Talk Blog Tour.

Stars: *****

The Daring Book for Girls was written because the authors felt it was necessary to have a kind of companion book to The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn and Hal Iggulden.

Stars ***

This book was read for the Reading the Author challenge and the Fall Into Reading 2007 Challenge.

Strays Like Us is the story of Molly who is temporarily living with her great-aunt until her mother gets out of the hospital. She’s moved all over; all her life. Molly meets Will who’s staying next door with his grandparents. The town seems to be fully of strays.

It was a cute book with an interesting storyline but there was one part in it that played to a stereotype that doesn’t need any fueling. If it weren’t for that this book would have gotten 4 stars.

Stars: ****

I got this book for review from Annick Press. I also read it as part of the Baby Steps challenge.

This book was very interesting. I’m not usually one for Science Fiction type books, especially ones that depict a very high tech future, however this one intrigued me. In this “near-future” advertising has taken on a whole new meaning. Cars have ID so that when you go through a Drive-Thru, a sign overhead can greet you by name. It also automatically debits your account when you make a purchase. Children are outfitted with Safety Sentinel’s which is basically a GPS tracker to keep track of where your children are. There are ads on the back of cars so the car behind it can see them. There are large ads on the sides of buildings. Life-sized dummies just inside stores talk about the stores features and sales. It’s crazy!

Stars: *****

I read this book for the Bibliography challenge.

I'm glad I found and read this book. Dunning is a great author and I thoroughly enjoyed his writing. Reading about buying and reselling books was very interesting and makes me want to learn more about it so I can make some money finding good deals. There is some really good information on the hobby too, not just a passing mention. The way the book is written, it could almost pass as a memoir. It all sounds so real, I kept having to remind myself it wasn't.

The story was very intriguing. The plot was well thought out. I had trouble stopping reading for the night

I received a copy of this book to review from Tundra Books.

Stars: ***

A cute and simple book about what different animals eat. There’s a picture of the animal and what it eats and the only words are the name of the animal and the name of the food. My toddler likes it and it’s very vibrant and colourful. My only problem with it was that it said rats each cheese which is only a little bit right. Rats eat scraps of food which may be cheese but can be almost anything else as well. It also says dogs eat bones which isn’t exactly true but is more true than the rats one.