22 Sep 10

Book Review: The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney

Thomas Ward is the seventh son of the seventh son born for one reason – to be the last apprentice to the current spook. When he innocently lets loose a bound evil witch, he must set things right, but does he have any chance of success without the help of the Master Spook? With so little training?

First of all, I loved the illustrations. As far as the writing, I liked that the boy was the main reason things were resolved in the end and not a grown-up or outside help. I enjoyed his friendship with the witch’s niece and the strong sense of right and wrong. It took me a long time to read this story, because the plot moved along incredibly slowly. It didn’t help that the boy was not the brightest crayon in the crayon box. He was courageous but witless.

I would love to imitate the interesting and intricate use of the various magic myths, but I would definitely improve the pace and personality of the main character.

I don’t think I would recommend this book as there are more interesting books out there and less bloody ones too.

Enjoyment Level: 2/5
Beginning: 1/5
Middle: 2/5
Ending: 4/5

The writing was really clear with short crisp sentences:
“The Spook laughed softly. ‘That’s one of the first and most important lessons an apprentice has to learn,’ he said; ‘the difference between waking and dreaming. Some never learn that.”

Happy Readings!
Kate

The Last Apprentice (Revenge of the Witch) by Joseph Delaney
© 2005, Harper Collins
Publisher Reading Level: Ages 9-12
ISBN: 0-06-076618-2
340 pages

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21 Sep 10

Book Review: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

A boy named Gen, short for Eugenides (a mouthful), is in prison for stealing the King’s seal, and ironically, snuck out of prison by the King’s overseer to steal an object of great interest. The task could end all their lives. Will Gen succeed? Could the retrieval of the stone bring peace to the three mountain countries?

I really loved the interplay of the characters. I could really feel them, their blushing, scowls and tantrum fights. I also found the story intriguing.

I didn’t like the descriptions of the setting and locations. I kept mixing up the two city names, Eddis and Attolia, and getting somewhat lost.

I would love to be able to orchestrate a plot so creatively to imply things that didn’t happen at all and are deliberately, but not obviously misleading. Thinking you understand what’s going on and then the next second all mystified again. I also loved the bits of humor and comic relief that the main character provides, his immaturity and stubbornness.

The descriptive writing was unclear, but the dialogue was well-done.

Enjoyment Level: 5/5 stars
Beginning: 2/5 – I was totally lost for 2 chapters.
Middle: 4/5
Ending: 5/5

Sophie asked “was it really not so bad?” “Was what?” “Prison.” … “That prison,” I said with heartfelt sincerity “was absolutely the most awful thing that has happened to me in my entire life.” I could tell by the way he looked at me that he thought my life must’ve been filled with one awful thing after another.

Kate

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
© 1996, Puffin books
Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 0-14-038834-6
219 Pages

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17 Sep 10

Book Review: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Our two main characters live in two very different worlds. Claudia is on the “outside” betrothed to the Heir Prince, and Finn is in Incarceron, the prison, “below.” Both are fighting for their freedom yet continually finding themselves pawns in everyone else’s games! Will they ever be free? Will Finn ever get out of the prison? Will Claudia be forced to marry the pig-headed prince?

I thought that the visual descriptions of beauty versus squalor and filth were great, as were the images of the era clothing, mannerisms and protocol of the rich. I never really liked either main characters though. Claudia is generally ruthless and one-dimensional. Finn is weak and naive and always letting himself be used by everyone else. Neither of the characters change or grow.

I would love to imitate the imaginative world and the great supporting cast. Unfortunately, I did not think that this book was really worth my time, and I wouldn’t recommend it.

Enjoyment Level: 2/5 – I was bored and just didn’t care.
Beginning: 1/5 – confused
Middle: 4/5
Ending: 3/5 – no character arc

“The bodice was too tight, but she was used to it. Her hair was fiercely brushed and the pearl net penned into it; it crackled with static on the velvet of her shoulders. Breathless, the old woman stepped back. “You’d look better if you weren’t scowling.” “I’ll scowl if I want to.” Claudia turned to the door, feeling the whole dress sway. “One day, I’ll howl and scream and yell in his face.” “I don’t think so… you’re just as terrified of him as everyone else.”

Kate

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
© 2007, Penguin Group
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3396-1
442 pages

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15 Sep 10

Book Review: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

In Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, Fern rescues a runt pig from being killed by her father, only to have him be fattened for a Christmas feast by her uncle. Can Charlotte, a spider, save him?

I really enjoyed the comradery between the farm animals. It seemed like one noisy fussy animal family, not unlike a normal human one. I didn’t like though that Fern, a child, was so easily preoccupied by a boy. I had always thought the story was about Fern and Wilbur, not so. Its really about Wilbur and Charlotte.

The clear and concise language is what I would love to imitate. The character personalities displayed and conveyed appropriately throughout the dialogue.

Would I recommend this book? Of course, its a classic!

Enjoyment Level: 5/5 stars
Beginning: 5/5
Middle: 3/5
Ending: 3/5 – appropriate yet kind of dry

I also loved how the book showed an element of all your senses. You were almost present.

“The Barn was very large. It was very old. It semelled of hay and it semlled of manure. It semlled of the persperation of tied horses and the wonderful sweet breath of patient cows. It also had a sort of peaceful semll – as throgh nothing bad could happen eveer again in the world.”

Kate

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
illus. By Garth Williams
© 1952, Scholastic
ISBN: 0-590-30271-x
184 pages

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13 Sep 10

Book Review: The Mouse and the Motorcylcle by Beverly Cleary

In the The Mouse and the Motorcylcle by Beverly Cleary a thrill-seeking mouse meets a boy with a toy motorcycle, a motorcycle that fits him perfectly. Will he be killed by the dog? Exterminated by the hotel? Tricked by the boy?

This was just sort of a silly tale. I mean who would give a mouse a motorcycle. The story was not very believable in presentation either. I liked that not everyone was out to get the mouse though. In many stories, the world is out to get the main character.

There was a humorous bit that helped keep the book from being really dry, but it really needed more humor and less watching the mouse drive around. One of the things I disliked about the book and would improve on was that the book had a LOT of telling now showing.

I was an ok book for small children.

Enjoyment Level: 2/5 stars
Beginning: 3/5
Middle: 3/5
Ending: 4/5

 “Old Matt rubbed his chin and stared at the ceiling. ‘I don’t suppose a certain irresponsible mouse happened to ride it into a pile of sheets and pillowcases and get tangled up and dumped into the hamper.’ Keith tried not to laugh.”

Kate

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Reading Level: Childrens
© 1965, Scholastic
ISBN: 0-590-687333-6
158 pages

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10 Sep 10

Book Review: Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

The book Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins begins with our main character Gregor chasing his sister down a laundry shoot into a mysterious world – Underland, a world of oversized cockroaches, spiders, bats, and worst of all… rats! Will they ever make it out of this creepy land back to their Mom? Will they discover something in the dark world worth the dangerous journey?

I loved the characterization of the different creatures. Our perceptions of “icky” creatures are greatly exaggerated and literally enlarged, and then the creatures are given feelings and personalities too. The baby sister Boots is also a very well thought out character and without her the book wouldn’t be the same nor nearly as enjoyable.

Another thing that I appreciated was the believable fighting, our main character didn’t suddenly find himself endowed with super-talents to battle in the Underland but had to use what little he already had – wit and courage. I also enjoyed the convincing plot development with regards to friendship and trust.

I really wanted more happy at the end, but I’m realizing that I might just be too needy about Happily Ever Afters. It seems to be a common theme for me. I also thought that Gregor seemed a little one dimensional. While his thoughts were plausible, I felt like there was still something missing. Maybe a more noticeable flaw to juxtapose his qualities a little more. One thing I would love to imitate though would be the clear and not over detailed depiction of a different world.

I would highly recommend this book.

“Hope,” said Vikus “there are times it will be very hard to find. Time when it will be much easier to choose hate instead. But if you want to find peace, you must first be able to hope it is possible.”

Enjoyment Level: 5/5
Beginning: 4/5
Middle: 5/5
Ending: 3/5

Kate

Gregor The Overlander by Suzanne Collins
(c) 2003, Scholastic
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
0-439-43536-6
308 pages

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8 Sep 10

Book Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie, the main character of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, is a malnurshed poor child from a good family. He is one of the lucky five children selected to visit the Chocolate Factory for on special day. The children have no idea how much their lives will be affected as a result.

One of my favorite things about this piece is the witty verse by the Oompa Loompas that accompanies the various indiscretions of the child after their departure from the factory. I also really enjoyed the different portrayals of parenting styles and the possible harm that can come from parents.

I would love to imitate the humor and lightness of the story, especially considering the dark truths expressed. I would’ve liked to have seen Willy Wonka’s personality more defined.

I liked the colorful writing and imaginative descriptions of the factory world. I feel like the five sense could’ve been called upon even more than they were.

This book was a joy to read, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Enjoyment Level: 5/5 stars
Beginning: 4/5
Middle: 4/5
Ending: 5/5

“The watchers below could see the chocolate swishing around the boy in the pipe, and they could see it building up behind him in a solid mass, pushing against the blockage. The pressure was terrific. Something had to give. Something did give, and that something was Augustus. Whoof!”

Kate

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
(c) 1998, Puffin
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 0-14-130115-5
155 Pages

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7 Sep 10

Lotta Links: 19 Art-y Sites Featuring Children…

Here are some Art-y Sites Featuring Children in the Illustrations…

Just a sampling of many many amazing art blogs!

Kate

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6 Sep 10

Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

In the book Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, a girl named Grace has a near death experience with wolves and since that point is obsessed with them, especially one wolf in particular. A gun shot wound brings “her” gold-eyed wolf into her lap six years later – only the wolf is a boy, a cute boy, Sam. A neighbor had been attacked by wolves, or so they say, bringing the wolf pack in the nearby forest into the limelight.

No one could predict how this event and the wolf hunt that followed would throw Grace’s perfectly ordered world out the window. Will she ever be the same again? Does she want to? Can Sam and Grace find a way to protect their love from the cold of winter threatening to tear them apart forever?

The emotion and the passion conveyed really brought the story to life. The author also managed to strike the perfect balance between the idealistic and realistic truths of pain and love. I would love to write a story that felt real and dreamlike all at once. The one thing that I wasn’t a complete fan of was the length. One of the author’s goals, per her blog, was to keep a slow pace for the story, but I still think it could’ve quickened a touch.

I would recommend this book but to an older crowd due to the sexual tension and innuendos.

Enjoyment: 4/5
Beginning: 3/5 → took a little while for me to really get into the story
Middle: 5/5 – loved the tension and suspense
Ending: 4/5

There is a sequel to this story, but I don’t think that was necessary. In my opinion, the tale is whole and satisfying on its’ own. I have heard good things about it, though, so I will probably read the next book Linger when I get the chance.

One of my favorite passages was a lyric by Sam: “Crashing into the trembling void/ Stretching my hand to you/ Losing myself to frigid regret/ Is this fragile love/ A way/ To say/ Good-bye”

Kate

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
(c) 2010, Scholastic
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0545123273
400 Pages

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4 Sep 10

Lotta Links: 14 Art-y Sites Featuring Animals…

The following are a few Art-y sites featuring various animals:

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Let me know if there are others similar that I should check out!

Kate

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