I just realized that I've been writing book reviews for nearly three years and have not written anything about one of my favorite series of all time - The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. Perhaps it goes without saying, except it's worth saying again, how delightful these books are. Originally, The Lion, the Witch... Continue Reading →
Otter and Odder
How odd is it that an otter would fall in love with his food source? Everyone agrees, it's pretty odd. Unusual. Impossible, even. Otter cannot love a fish. It is just not right. After much consternation, wondering and questioning, Otter realizes that he does love a fish. And the fish loves Otter. So they buck... Continue Reading →
My Happy Life
I have to be honest. When I first finished My Happy Life by Rose Lagercrantz, I wondered, "What was that about?" It didn't particularly strike me as a great book. But the more I thought about it, the more the story grew on me and the more I liked it. Dani, the main character, is... Continue Reading →
Scout
A Scottie and his ball get separated, so he traverses his apartment building trying to find it. While searching, he makes friends with the other animals in his building, and when they eventually find his ball, they all play together. Scout by Gordon McMillian is a sweet story, full of simple illustrations which will catch... Continue Reading →
Emily’s Fortune
Emily lives a very quiet life. She never runs, never shouts, and hardly plays. She lives with her mother and the wealthy Miss Luella Nash, who doesn't like noise at all. But then, Emily finds herself alone in the world, after a horrible carriage accident. And suddenly, everyone wants to make decisions for her -... Continue Reading →
Tree Castle Island
Jack Hawkins loves the Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia. He loves hanging out with Uncle Hamp, away from the bustle of his home in Atlanta, learning the ways of the swamp and exploring it on his own. He's even made his own canvas canoe, and takes it exploring in the swamp. Soon, things go wrong.... Continue Reading →
James and the Giant Peach
I think James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl is almost as well-known as his Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which I'm embarrassed to say, I've not read - yet!) - especially since it has been made into a movie. If you've only watched the movie, I urge you to read the book -... Continue Reading →
Revolutionary Friends
The friendship between General George Washington & the Marquis de Lafayette is legendary. Author Selene Castrovilla tells the story of their first meeting in Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. She starts at the moment Lafayette is in City Tavern in Philadelphia, ready to meet his hero, George Washington. She then... Continue Reading →
Timothy of the Cay
I so thoroughly enjoyed The Cay by Theodore Taylor that when I discovered Timothy of the Cay, I pounced on it. "Kids, look!" I cried. "Remember The Cay? Here's a prequel-sequel." "What does that mean?" they asked. Good question, I thought. What is a prequel-sequel? It's a masterfully-written story, telling Timothy's story before he ended... Continue Reading →
Midnight is a Place
Lucas Bell lives a rather dreary life, even though he lives in the largest house in town. His guardian is a stingy old man, not much interested in his existence at all. His tutor is nice enough, but quite distracted. He's stuck in a bedroom or schoolroom most every day, and the town he lives... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 