Evalina got Ramona's World for Christmas, because it was the only book in the series we hadn't yet read. It is always a delight to read a "new" book in a favorite series.
The Story: Ramona is entering the fourth grade. She has a new baby sister, Roberta, and she is back to sharing a room with Beezus (so that the baby can have her old room). She has a new best friend, Daisy, and calluses from swinging and playing on monkey bars and rings that any active fourth grader would be envious of. She also has her challenges, like any other fourth grader - trying to prove that she is worthy of more responsibility, dealing with spelling, embarrassing moments, and a bad school picture. In other words, this is a realistic story about a girl who is, in many ways, very much like Evalina.
The Good: As always, I love how realistic and timeless the Ramona stories are. They are quick reads, and funny. Evalina had several laugh out loud moments. The characters come alive on the page and you can picture any slightly quirky, exuberant 9 year old in Ramona's place... including when she becomes what she calls a teenager on her "zero-teenth" birthday. Since my own girl has been planning her own 9th birthday party for months (and it is not until March...), I can relate (and so can she).
The Bad: The only bad thing I can think of is that now we have read all the books in the Ramona series... sometimes Ramona does things that are not the best choices, but what 9 year old doesn't?
The Verdict: Absolutely read. It was the perfect reading level for Evalina, though she could have read it last year even without difficulty. I cannot say enough about this series. Quick and funny, I'm sure she'll revisit them in the future.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Heidi
Evalina and I finished reading Heidi last week, and what a lovely book it was!
The Story: This classic story is about Heidi, a little girl with a wonderful spunk and spirit, who brings joy to the lives of many around her. She lives in a cottage on the Alm, in Switzerland, with her grandfather. She spends time with goats (and the young goatherd), among the wildflowers and the majestic mountains. When she is brought to live with an invalid girl in Germany, she learns just how much the Alm means to her. Though she misses her home terribly (in fact, getting literally homesick, unable to eat because she longs for her mountain home so...), she makes friends with the young girl of the household, Klara, and when she has returned to the mountain hut, Klara and her family visits and learns to understand Heidi so much more.
The Good: I would love to be friends with Heidi. She is truly caring, always looking out for Peter the Goatherd's grandmother, and her friend, Klara, and her grandfather ... she has a wonderful light that just shines. She helped to turn her grandfather from (what some saw as) a crotchety old man to be frightened of into a pillar of the community. She helps Klara see herself as more than a poor girl, stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She makes sure that the Grandmother has soft rolls and cakes and a soft bed to keep her comfortable in her house - and helps to motivate her Grandfather to fix up the Grandmother's drafty house. She brings happiness into the life of the kind doctor, who lost his own daughter. She is also clever as a whip, and loves the beauty around her in the Swiss mountains.
The Bad: I found the religious aspects of the book to be a bit heavy handed sometimes (but, I am not religious). Klara's grandmother teaches Heidi to read, and basically converts her to Christianity. Thereafter, every time something wonderful happens, it is all very religiously leaning... which, again, is not something I generally enjoy. Interestingly, and this is not bad, just interesting... Heidi is not the "Heidi" you might think of from the old movie. She has short black, curly hair, not long blonde hair done up in a braided crown. Just funny, that's all. Thank you, Shirley Temple!
The Verdict: This is a true classic and I cannot believe that I never read it as a child... it's one of those books that you think you've read until you start reading it. Absolutely recommended. If you are not religious, you might have to have some conversations about the religious aspects of this book (which Evalina and I have already had, while reading the Little House series in particular). I totally loved this book. It had humor and heart and wonderful descriptions. I want to go to Switzerland now. I can't find recommended reading level on Amazon for it, but I don't know that Evalina would have read it all on her own ... particularly, some of the names are more difficult for the non-German speaking reader. Still, she truly enjoyed it.
The Story: This classic story is about Heidi, a little girl with a wonderful spunk and spirit, who brings joy to the lives of many around her. She lives in a cottage on the Alm, in Switzerland, with her grandfather. She spends time with goats (and the young goatherd), among the wildflowers and the majestic mountains. When she is brought to live with an invalid girl in Germany, she learns just how much the Alm means to her. Though she misses her home terribly (in fact, getting literally homesick, unable to eat because she longs for her mountain home so...), she makes friends with the young girl of the household, Klara, and when she has returned to the mountain hut, Klara and her family visits and learns to understand Heidi so much more.
The Good: I would love to be friends with Heidi. She is truly caring, always looking out for Peter the Goatherd's grandmother, and her friend, Klara, and her grandfather ... she has a wonderful light that just shines. She helped to turn her grandfather from (what some saw as) a crotchety old man to be frightened of into a pillar of the community. She helps Klara see herself as more than a poor girl, stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She makes sure that the Grandmother has soft rolls and cakes and a soft bed to keep her comfortable in her house - and helps to motivate her Grandfather to fix up the Grandmother's drafty house. She brings happiness into the life of the kind doctor, who lost his own daughter. She is also clever as a whip, and loves the beauty around her in the Swiss mountains.
The Bad: I found the religious aspects of the book to be a bit heavy handed sometimes (but, I am not religious). Klara's grandmother teaches Heidi to read, and basically converts her to Christianity. Thereafter, every time something wonderful happens, it is all very religiously leaning... which, again, is not something I generally enjoy. Interestingly, and this is not bad, just interesting... Heidi is not the "Heidi" you might think of from the old movie. She has short black, curly hair, not long blonde hair done up in a braided crown. Just funny, that's all. Thank you, Shirley Temple!
The Verdict: This is a true classic and I cannot believe that I never read it as a child... it's one of those books that you think you've read until you start reading it. Absolutely recommended. If you are not religious, you might have to have some conversations about the religious aspects of this book (which Evalina and I have already had, while reading the Little House series in particular). I totally loved this book. It had humor and heart and wonderful descriptions. I want to go to Switzerland now. I can't find recommended reading level on Amazon for it, but I don't know that Evalina would have read it all on her own ... particularly, some of the names are more difficult for the non-German speaking reader. Still, she truly enjoyed it.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma
The third (and final, at least for now) book in The Mysterious Benedict Society series, we finished The Prisoner's Dilemma a couple weeks ago. I'm just getting a chance to write it up now.
The Story: After the end of The Perilous Journey, the four kids in the Mysterious Benedict Society were all sequestered in Mr. Benedict's house. Everyone is worried about Mr. Curtain, who escaped at the end of the last book. Mr. Benedict has the Whisperer in the house, though government officials are trying to gain control of it. Through nefarious means, Mr. Curtain manages to steal the Whisperer, and the group has to find a way to get it back, getting taken prisoner in the process. To defeat Mr. Curtain, they have to find a way to escape and get the Whisperer back... which is no easy task. But, for outstanding kids like Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance, anything is possible.
The Good: The characters we've come to love in the past couple of books are back, and wonderful. Even better, they are maturing as you would expect growing children. Constance is gaining in her telepathic powers, which is neat. The others are learning more about their own unique abilities and strengths, and also learning how to deal with whatever weaknesses they might have. The story is exciting.
The Bad: Sometimes, this book seemed to drag a little. It wasn't my favorite of the three. Constance spends a great deal of the book feeling sick from using her telepathy, and I miss her move vociferous presence. Still a good read, and I wouldn't skip it, but it isn't as thrilling as the others to me.
The Verdict: Amazon recommends this for 5-8th grade, and Evalina is in 3rd grade... it would have been too much for her to read on her own, I think, and get a lot out of it. She did like it, though, and always wanted me to read more. So, I think it makes a good ending to the trilogy and I would recommend it to fans of the other books, for sure.
The Story: After the end of The Perilous Journey, the four kids in the Mysterious Benedict Society were all sequestered in Mr. Benedict's house. Everyone is worried about Mr. Curtain, who escaped at the end of the last book. Mr. Benedict has the Whisperer in the house, though government officials are trying to gain control of it. Through nefarious means, Mr. Curtain manages to steal the Whisperer, and the group has to find a way to get it back, getting taken prisoner in the process. To defeat Mr. Curtain, they have to find a way to escape and get the Whisperer back... which is no easy task. But, for outstanding kids like Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance, anything is possible.
The Good: The characters we've come to love in the past couple of books are back, and wonderful. Even better, they are maturing as you would expect growing children. Constance is gaining in her telepathic powers, which is neat. The others are learning more about their own unique abilities and strengths, and also learning how to deal with whatever weaknesses they might have. The story is exciting.
The Bad: Sometimes, this book seemed to drag a little. It wasn't my favorite of the three. Constance spends a great deal of the book feeling sick from using her telepathy, and I miss her move vociferous presence. Still a good read, and I wouldn't skip it, but it isn't as thrilling as the others to me.
The Verdict: Amazon recommends this for 5-8th grade, and Evalina is in 3rd grade... it would have been too much for her to read on her own, I think, and get a lot out of it. She did like it, though, and always wanted me to read more. So, I think it makes a good ending to the trilogy and I would recommend it to fans of the other books, for sure.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey
We finished reading The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey a while ago, but I didn't have the chance to blog it until now. We are halfway through the third book in the series now... hopefully I will be more prompt about blogging that one!
The Story: The members of the Mysterious Benedict Society reunite for what was supposed to be a wonderful adventure set up by Mr. Benedict, but instead turns into a rescue mission to save their benefactor and Number Two, who have been kidnapped by his nefarious twin brother, Mr. Curtain. The intrepid children have to avoid capture by Mr. Curtain's henchmen, the Ten Men, and travel around the globe on their search.
The Good: The characters are as good as ever... and the adventure is exciting. The search for Mr. Benedict brings them through different countries, following clues left for them on what was supposed to be a kind of scavenger hunt. They are very engaging as characters. Evalina particularly likes Constance, the precocious toddler in the group.
The Bad: There are times when it's scary... it's unclear if the children will prevail, and they end up in some tight spots. But, in my mind, that just makes for a good story. Adults are often portrayed as untrustworthy, and that could be a problem for some. The children also do not usually listen to the instructions of the adults in their life. This could also be seen as a problem.
The Verdict: I actually think I liked this story better than the first one. The adventure was more targeted, if you will. Also, one person mentioned that the first book was basically Mr. Benedict throwing the children into a dangerous situation and hoping that it all worked out for the best... this one is the children taking the initiative to save their friends. Amazon lists this book as for ages 9-12, and I would agree with that for children reading independently. Evalina is 8 1/2 and it probably would have been a bit much for her to read on her own.
The Story: The members of the Mysterious Benedict Society reunite for what was supposed to be a wonderful adventure set up by Mr. Benedict, but instead turns into a rescue mission to save their benefactor and Number Two, who have been kidnapped by his nefarious twin brother, Mr. Curtain. The intrepid children have to avoid capture by Mr. Curtain's henchmen, the Ten Men, and travel around the globe on their search.
The Good: The characters are as good as ever... and the adventure is exciting. The search for Mr. Benedict brings them through different countries, following clues left for them on what was supposed to be a kind of scavenger hunt. They are very engaging as characters. Evalina particularly likes Constance, the precocious toddler in the group.
The Bad: There are times when it's scary... it's unclear if the children will prevail, and they end up in some tight spots. But, in my mind, that just makes for a good story. Adults are often portrayed as untrustworthy, and that could be a problem for some. The children also do not usually listen to the instructions of the adults in their life. This could also be seen as a problem.
The Verdict: I actually think I liked this story better than the first one. The adventure was more targeted, if you will. Also, one person mentioned that the first book was basically Mr. Benedict throwing the children into a dangerous situation and hoping that it all worked out for the best... this one is the children taking the initiative to save their friends. Amazon lists this book as for ages 9-12, and I would agree with that for children reading independently. Evalina is 8 1/2 and it probably would have been a bit much for her to read on her own.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Mysterious Benedict Society
My sister got the series of The Mysterious Benedict Society for Evalina for her birthday, and we just finished the first one. So good! Can't wait to start the next one!
The Story: Reynie Muldoon is an extraordinary boy. He is in an orphanage, and is tutored by the kind Miss Perumal, but otherwise, things aren't looking very bright for him. That is, until he comes across an advertisement looking for extraordinary children to take a test, and qualify for wonderful opportunities. Thus begins his adventures. He meets Mr. Benedict, and his life changes forever. With fellow extraordinary children Kate Weatherall, Sticky Washington, and Constance Contraire, the group of children form the Mysterious Benedict Society, and infiltrate a special institute that is not what it appears to be. Can they save the world before it's too late?
The Good: Super exciting! The children are wonderfully engaging characters (and the adults are, too, but they are really secondary to the plot). They are brave, but believably so. They face dangers with creativity and zeal, and their troubles, while exciting, are never really too scary for the reader. You have a sense that it will all work out in the end, though you aren't sure how. The chapters were a manageable length to read about one per night (though sometimes we couldn't stop at just one!) and the story was really engaging.
The Bad: There were some cliffhangers that were a little much for Evalina to handle, and required reading a little more to settle her. Some things were a little scary, and the "Waiting Room" in particular was really gross to read about (a terrible stench, yucky mud...) The plot involves a frightening mind control machine, and it's the kids' mission to defeat it. Mysterious indeed!
The Verdict: Wonderful. Can't wait to read more. In the end, everyone found a way to be happy, and the mystery was satisfactorily resolved. Love all the characters, really. The book was long - over 400 pages, and we read it in just about a month. Super exciting. Evalina totally loved it and found it funny, exciting, and engaging. Amazon recommends it for grades 5-9, and I can see that for solo reading, but as far as reading with your child, it was just fine for her age range. So much fun.
The Story: Reynie Muldoon is an extraordinary boy. He is in an orphanage, and is tutored by the kind Miss Perumal, but otherwise, things aren't looking very bright for him. That is, until he comes across an advertisement looking for extraordinary children to take a test, and qualify for wonderful opportunities. Thus begins his adventures. He meets Mr. Benedict, and his life changes forever. With fellow extraordinary children Kate Weatherall, Sticky Washington, and Constance Contraire, the group of children form the Mysterious Benedict Society, and infiltrate a special institute that is not what it appears to be. Can they save the world before it's too late?
The Good: Super exciting! The children are wonderfully engaging characters (and the adults are, too, but they are really secondary to the plot). They are brave, but believably so. They face dangers with creativity and zeal, and their troubles, while exciting, are never really too scary for the reader. You have a sense that it will all work out in the end, though you aren't sure how. The chapters were a manageable length to read about one per night (though sometimes we couldn't stop at just one!) and the story was really engaging.
The Bad: There were some cliffhangers that were a little much for Evalina to handle, and required reading a little more to settle her. Some things were a little scary, and the "Waiting Room" in particular was really gross to read about (a terrible stench, yucky mud...) The plot involves a frightening mind control machine, and it's the kids' mission to defeat it. Mysterious indeed!
The Verdict: Wonderful. Can't wait to read more. In the end, everyone found a way to be happy, and the mystery was satisfactorily resolved. Love all the characters, really. The book was long - over 400 pages, and we read it in just about a month. Super exciting. Evalina totally loved it and found it funny, exciting, and engaging. Amazon recommends it for grades 5-9, and I can see that for solo reading, but as far as reading with your child, it was just fine for her age range. So much fun.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
King of the Wind
My mother got King of the Wind (and a couple other books) for Evalina for her birthday. I had never read it. I'm glad that I got a chance to!
The Story: Agba is a mute horse-boy from the court of the Sultan in Morocco. When the Sultan decides to send a company of his best horses to France as a state gift, Agba goes along with his beloved horse, Sham. Unfortunately, Sham and the other horses are ill-treated on the journey, and don't arrive in France looking like the grand and royal Arabian horses that they are, but like malnourished nags. Sham and Agba are separated from the other horses, and they go through many owners and jobs, but are never truly appreciated. Then, finally, years later, and after many abuses, they come to the home of the Earl of Godolphin in England. While at first, Sham's pedigree is not realized, he soon makes his mark on the world of horses and goes on to father a new and glorious line.
The Good: It's historical fiction, which is fun. The fact that Agba cannot speak is not even brought up in the narrative until a few chapters into the book. The relationship between Agba and Sham is beautiful. Even when the horse is ill-treated and separated from Agba, he always remembers the boy when they find each other again. Agba is always thinking of the horse, and always wishes he could let the horse's grand origins be known. He is sworn to be with Sham until he dies, and they do stay together until the end of the horse's days. Some of Sham's owners are kind to both boy and horse, and it is heartening to see. Mostly, it's wonderful to see Sham live up to his potential greatness at the end.
The Bad: Some of the treatment of Sham (and Agba) is really reprehensible. It's enough to make a horse lover cringe. The horse is often ill fed, ill taken care of, and under appreciated. At one point, Agba ends up in prison, and at another time, the two of them end up in a lonely exile. Might be a bit much to take for younger kids.
The Verdict: This is a wonderful story about the origins of the Thoroughbred horse, and about the love of a boy for a horse, and of a horse for a boy. Amazon recommends this book for ages 9-12, and I would agree. Evalina is 8 and did well with me reading it to her, but some of the language and themes would have been difficult without me there to help her out a bit. I would recommend this one, and so would Evalina. There were many nights when she was not satisfied with one chapter, because of how exciting the story was. If you like horses, you will likely enjoy this book.
The Story: Agba is a mute horse-boy from the court of the Sultan in Morocco. When the Sultan decides to send a company of his best horses to France as a state gift, Agba goes along with his beloved horse, Sham. Unfortunately, Sham and the other horses are ill-treated on the journey, and don't arrive in France looking like the grand and royal Arabian horses that they are, but like malnourished nags. Sham and Agba are separated from the other horses, and they go through many owners and jobs, but are never truly appreciated. Then, finally, years later, and after many abuses, they come to the home of the Earl of Godolphin in England. While at first, Sham's pedigree is not realized, he soon makes his mark on the world of horses and goes on to father a new and glorious line.
The Good: It's historical fiction, which is fun. The fact that Agba cannot speak is not even brought up in the narrative until a few chapters into the book. The relationship between Agba and Sham is beautiful. Even when the horse is ill-treated and separated from Agba, he always remembers the boy when they find each other again. Agba is always thinking of the horse, and always wishes he could let the horse's grand origins be known. He is sworn to be with Sham until he dies, and they do stay together until the end of the horse's days. Some of Sham's owners are kind to both boy and horse, and it is heartening to see. Mostly, it's wonderful to see Sham live up to his potential greatness at the end.
The Bad: Some of the treatment of Sham (and Agba) is really reprehensible. It's enough to make a horse lover cringe. The horse is often ill fed, ill taken care of, and under appreciated. At one point, Agba ends up in prison, and at another time, the two of them end up in a lonely exile. Might be a bit much to take for younger kids.
The Verdict: This is a wonderful story about the origins of the Thoroughbred horse, and about the love of a boy for a horse, and of a horse for a boy. Amazon recommends this book for ages 9-12, and I would agree. Evalina is 8 and did well with me reading it to her, but some of the language and themes would have been difficult without me there to help her out a bit. I would recommend this one, and so would Evalina. There were many nights when she was not satisfied with one chapter, because of how exciting the story was. If you like horses, you will likely enjoy this book.
Misty of Chincoteague
Misty of Chincoteague was one of my favorites as a child, and I knew Evalina would love it. She has been on a horse loving kick lately, so this was a perfect pick.
The Story: Young Paul and Maureen Beebe live on Chincoteague island, and dream of having their own wild pony from Assateague Island off the coast of Virginia. They have their heart set on Phantom, the most elusive and wild mare of them all. When Paul finally gets a chance to be part his first Pony Penning Day (where the people from Chincoteague gather many of the wild ponies to keep them from getting overpopulated), he manages to capture the Phantom. Along with her comes a surprise - a tiny foal! Paul names her Misty, and hopes that he and Maureen might be able to buy the Phantom and her foal at the pony auction. They worked very hard and saved a lot of money by doing odd chores for people, and soon, the two ponies were theirs! Paul and Maureen worked hard to gentle the wild Phantom, and got her ready for the pony races, while Misty grew up, happy as could be, on Chincoteague. But, while she was somewhat gentled, and ran like the wind itself in the race, Phantom longed for her island home of Assateague.
The Good: For anyone who loves horses, this is a wonderful choice. Paul and Maureen show a wonderful work ethic, doing anything they could to make some money to reach their goal. The descriptions of the horses are wonderful. The story is engaging, and made me want to go to visit Chincoteague (where they still have Pony Penning Day). This is based on a true story, which is really neat. Evalina just loved the story.
The Bad: There are a couple tense spots - like a terrible storm in which Paul is stuck in a horse trailer with the Phantom and Misty, along with times when it wasn't certain that the kids would reach their goal. Some kids might be sensitive about the whole idea of Pony Penning Day, but in my mind, it's a good talking point about why it is something important to do.
The Verdict: Wonderful. Simply wonderful. It really stands up to the test of time. It is recommended for ages 9-12, and I would say that's about right for the independent reader. Evalina is 8 and had no problems with me reading it with her, but she might have had a few problems if reading it alone. Read it. I want to get the sequels for her. Overall, a total win.
The Story: Young Paul and Maureen Beebe live on Chincoteague island, and dream of having their own wild pony from Assateague Island off the coast of Virginia. They have their heart set on Phantom, the most elusive and wild mare of them all. When Paul finally gets a chance to be part his first Pony Penning Day (where the people from Chincoteague gather many of the wild ponies to keep them from getting overpopulated), he manages to capture the Phantom. Along with her comes a surprise - a tiny foal! Paul names her Misty, and hopes that he and Maureen might be able to buy the Phantom and her foal at the pony auction. They worked very hard and saved a lot of money by doing odd chores for people, and soon, the two ponies were theirs! Paul and Maureen worked hard to gentle the wild Phantom, and got her ready for the pony races, while Misty grew up, happy as could be, on Chincoteague. But, while she was somewhat gentled, and ran like the wind itself in the race, Phantom longed for her island home of Assateague.
The Good: For anyone who loves horses, this is a wonderful choice. Paul and Maureen show a wonderful work ethic, doing anything they could to make some money to reach their goal. The descriptions of the horses are wonderful. The story is engaging, and made me want to go to visit Chincoteague (where they still have Pony Penning Day). This is based on a true story, which is really neat. Evalina just loved the story.
The Bad: There are a couple tense spots - like a terrible storm in which Paul is stuck in a horse trailer with the Phantom and Misty, along with times when it wasn't certain that the kids would reach their goal. Some kids might be sensitive about the whole idea of Pony Penning Day, but in my mind, it's a good talking point about why it is something important to do.
The Verdict: Wonderful. Simply wonderful. It really stands up to the test of time. It is recommended for ages 9-12, and I would say that's about right for the independent reader. Evalina is 8 and had no problems with me reading it with her, but she might have had a few problems if reading it alone. Read it. I want to get the sequels for her. Overall, a total win.
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