This is the second book about Theo Cray that I have read and its another excellent story. Some stories areAnother Cleverly Plotted Serial Killer Story
This is the second book about Theo Cray that I have read and its another excellent story. Some stories are just fun but this was is so clever. It started out with what truly seemed to be an impossible case and yet somehow Theo is smart enough to actually find clues. And then he starts closing in on a suspect too... It's truly amazing! How does he do that?? And he is not scared to break rules or even the law if that is what he has to do..many of his ideas are very unorthodox as well which certainly adds more excitement to the plot.
So I read this whole book in one day. Yes it was that good! Some books make me feel sleepy but not this one. Its far too interesting. What will Theo do next? What will he find? And he certainly finds some gory stuff in here!
This particular story is about a serial killer called the Toy Man. And he is a very prolific one unfortunately. His preferred prey is young boys from disadvantaged neighborhoods. I guess he hopes they are less likely to be reported missing. But Theo is now on the case in Los Angeles California.
I like Theo in these cases as he is very smart and he isn't scared to break a few rules to catch the killer. Since he isn't law enforcement he doesn't have the power they do but then he knows stuff they certainly don't. These tales are very unpredictable which certainly makes them more fun to read. They are great for the smart reader. In here Theo uses many of his own items in the hunt, things like computer programs, various strange sprays, cameras and all sorts of stuff. Since he is a scientist he has no real idea how to trail someone properly and at times he is caught doing the most bizarre things (which is kind of funny as then how in the world do you explain that)?
These books have strange covers but the stories are so fascinating! You definitely need to try these. ...more
Wow! What an exciting book and a very fast paced conclusion to the Totality trilogy. This was way better than I had ever imagined too! All the things Wow! What an exciting book and a very fast paced conclusion to the Totality trilogy. This was way better than I had ever imagined too! All the things you could possibly want was in here, including an actual showdown between two of the popular characters (which I had never expected but while I was reading it I was giggling with excitement).
So when I had started this book I had been feeling rather sleepy. But after a few pages I was totally wide awake! The action started almost immediately and from there on I was hooked! And the pages just flew by. This is without doubt the most fun and exciting book I have read this year. I had never dreamed that anything could top the daredevil excitement in the first book but this certainly does!!
So the situation in here is dire indeed and the stakes are super high... Can Kirk once again save everyone? Except this time its the whole galaxy he has to save from those evil aliens. The Totality. And they have some nasty tricks up their sleeves too. I was very shocked at what the Totality could actually do. Its very creative. And darn right insidious too. I don't want to give away too much but they pretty much make Starfleet useless! And once again Kirk is racing to the rescue! Of course Captain Picard is there to help (and hopefully he will survive Kirk's crazy schemes). As we all know Kirk is not one for following the rules - but that is why he is so much fun!
The Totality is worse than even the Borg. I kid you not. And yes that surprises me. There is some grand science fiction in here, some big ideas about aliens and alien life. Very, very creative. And it's genius how it can connect back to the original TV show too. A lot of careful thought and planning went into this story and the result is absolutely spectacular!
Kirk's character is just perfect. Both the daredevil and also a caring father. I admit a few scenes has me laughing a bit. It was just so exciting and I never dreamed I would see that in Star Trek! Totally fun!!
But at the same time the story is about love. Does love conquer all? You will have to read it to find out.
Of course in this one we find out what had happened to Spock (not that I ever doubted). Plus there are all the things you love from the classic TV show in here action wise. Fights, running, spaceship battles and the most crazy outrageous stuff! Not much Spock-McCoy chatter but lots of Kirk - Picard chatter. And we finally get to find out which captain will prevail over the other (maybe)... Haha.
Really loved this! And I like the cover too. ...more
I cannot believe how quickly I read this book! I was literally hooked throughout the entire story - just couldn't put it down at all. And when I pickeI cannot believe how quickly I read this book! I was literally hooked throughout the entire story - just couldn't put it down at all. And when I picked this up it was already kind of late so I certainly never expected to finish this book the same day I had started it. Yet I did! The pages kept flying by.
And the amazing twist in here!! Wow! It totally caught me off guard! Like how was that possible?? The one thing I did know and I had guessed from the very beginning - someone is watching Faith and stalking her - the identity of that person was very easy to guess. But that other twist?? Never would have even dreamed of that at all!!
So I never dreamed this book would be so powerful or so very captivating. And its kind of weird that it was so captivating because a lot of it is kind of sad and gloomy? Its about how Faith is treated horrid by others but also by her own family. Yet somehow it is written in such a way that the story is just so gripping! I am unsure how the author did that. But she did.
But a lot of this book is about superstition and how people can fear things. You know witches and soothsayers and oracles. And death. People rather not know when death is coming. But what if you just saw it and you had no control over seeing it? An unwanted gift? And then others fear you and treat you horrid all because of this unique curse / talent you have? Well that is the problem that poor Faith has.
And can I add that her family is like awful? These characters are all so well written but many of them, well, you want to hate them.. They are so cruel. Their brains are ruled by stories of witches and curses.
Parts of the book flutter between the past when Faith was 10 years old and the present day.
I had decided to take a chance buying a hardcover copy of this book, hoping that it would be very readable. And it is indeed. In here he tells of his I had decided to take a chance buying a hardcover copy of this book, hoping that it would be very readable. And it is indeed. In here he tells of his stories and little adventures around the world as he does his research on volcanoes. I am sure much of the work entails very boring stuff but he skips over that. Instead I got the idea that he was a very curious man who likes to ask "Why?" very often and so he tries to get the answer.
I also got the impression from the beginning of the book that often the work of a volcanologist starts by looking. In one example he had traveled to Hawaii to examine this tiny volcano. But it was a special type that was never fed lava / magma from underneath. In other words it had no underground piping. So how did it form? From what I read and how I understood it, he kind of figured it out by looking around. What was in the area? How did the lava flow from the big real volcano nearby?
And I learned quite a few new things from this book. Like that pyroclastic flows can have two different layers that can travel at different speeds and can actually go in different directions! I also learned a few new words like ignimbrite, littoral cone (that tiny volcano with no plumbing I had mentioned above), tuff, maar, base surge. I learned that aa type of lava can be a nightmare to get around on. You do not like aa as it will wreck car tires fast (and no doubt your shoes too).
But what I really liked in here were the countless stories he tells of his own personal experience. Like how he was in the southwest, driving, and he knew there should be a volcano up ahead. But he didn't see it. So he kept driving and driving. Where was it? And then he saw the crater! He had actually driven right up the side of it somehow! And that idea truly boggles my mind. I never knew that a volcano could be so... UNsteep? So gentle sloped? So you don't even SEE it until you find yourself staring at the crater and wondering where the heck did that come from?? I also never knew a volcano could be so sneaky! That would definitely freak me out!
But he has countless stories in here. He visits Italy and France and Japan and China. He goes to islands in the Pacific - oh and he witnessed the original bomb being dropped on the Bikini island! And then he swam in that water afterwards too. In fact it was seeing that huge mushroom cloud from the bomb that gave him the idea about pyroclastic flows.
He does some mighty risky stuff in here, like walking on the crater rim of an active volcano. Later he and his fellows go down into the crater. They were measuring stuff but he went to study the cracks in the crater floor - fumaroles - hoping the floor doesn't break because of his weight. And he makes it very clear how bad water can be to an active volcano. Did you ever pour water onto a hot pan? Scary reaction you get if you do that! Well the water can do the same to a volcano.
A few things, its hard for me to twist my mind around. Like the stuff about glass and clay and those minerals like potassium, calcium, etc. Makes me look at clay with a whole new perspective. I also never realized that glass could break down.
This is not an action book. Its a memoir where he spends time, often alone, out in the wilds (and sometimes in cities) trying to learn about volcanoes. He tracks how far old flows from certain volcanoes go... And he has seen the horrible aftermath of homes buried and crushed by the flows. He tells stories of his encounters with other peoples, the meals they fed him and where he stayed. Sometimes it was in tents.
Many famous volcanoes are mentioned in here including Mount St. Helens and Vesuvius.
The book contains black and white photos, a glossary of terms and an index. There are also book suggestions at the end of each chapter.
Mainly I found this very easy to read. It was interesting and I feel I have learned a lot of new things from this book.
The photo on the cover is Mount St. Helens blowing its top. ...more
If you enjoy a thriller set in the great outdoors and you enjoy all of those descriptions of the wilderness than you might enjoy this. Just realize thIf you enjoy a thriller set in the great outdoors and you enjoy all of those descriptions of the wilderness than you might enjoy this. Just realize that the thrills start about halfway through the book... There is a little foreshadowing if you are clever enough to spot it, and I did, still I was uncertain exactly what kind of thrills this story would hold. And even though the actual action started kind of late I never was bored. Why? Because I was enjoying the hike the 4 main characters were going on! And that is why I say you should love nature if you read this.
Once the action starts, it comes on swift and serious. Its like suddenly there. And the whole nature of the book changes. Its no longer about 3 somewhat inexperienced hikers being pushed by Tracy, the coach / instructor while they try to do things that maybe is just a tad too hard for them. Hiking for hours while carrying 30 pounds.... Unfamiliar trails.
Then its in your face danger.
And then they are fleeing for their lives. Hard decisions have to be made. Where to go? Because you are out in the middle of nowhere.
From the moment the danger starts the tension is pretty nonstop until the book reaches its end. And throughout those pages there are all sorts of dangers, including nature itself.
The end surprised me. There was a twist there that I didn't expect and in some ways don't understand. But things like that do happen for real so that is probably why the author added it.
This book could serve as a warning about going hiking in areas where people normally don't go hike. Because you never know who or what might be out there.
There is a theme of prejudice against other races in here as well.. The author did a good job of adding that in. Each of the hikers in here is from a different ethnic group. They are well written and they each have their own flaws and ideas and backgrounds. And that makes this such a pleasure to read. As they seem so real. My favorite character was definitely Gwen who seemed so gentle, soft, caring and uncertain of her abilities. The others are Tracy, Oscar and Todd. They each have a part to play and they suffer in here.
So if you do go out hiking for real, please do not end up like these four. Remember to carry an Emergency Locator Beacon so if something happens you can summon help from the emergency responders. That beacon can save your life. ...more
I was amazed at how quickly I got swept up into this story. Right from the very beginning I was just pulled right in and itA Perfect Adventure Story!!
I was amazed at how quickly I got swept up into this story. Right from the very beginning I was just pulled right in and it is kind of rare for a book to do that so well. But for unknown reasons this one did. And it was certainly great fun to go on this crazy adventure across the burning sands searching for the ancient temple of the Queen of Sheba.
So there were a few things in here I liked besides the great adventure part (and more on that later). The main male character in here is Rick. And he is a bit of a wild card or a goofball if you will. He is the kind of guy who is sent to the store to buy very practical things but instead he comes home with a giant stuffed polar bear. And yes, it's real. And who the neck is going to buy a polar bear, especially since its 1938 and the Great Depression is in full blast. Rick does spur of the moment stuff and he takes risks. Luckily he is incredibly lucky.
His wife Rose is more sensible. And she certainly doesn't like the stuff he does but it's a tad too late to complain about money spent and now you are the proud owners of a giant stuffed polar bear!
But then they hear about the treasure. Out in Yemen, very far away from where they live in Georgia. But the two decide to go on an exciting treasure hunt. And it is certainly a dangerous trip with thieves, camels, traps, old tombs and even nasty things that may try to eat you! In many ways this is similar to Indiana Jones - but they are doing it all rather by the seat of their pants. The story moves at a very good pace and there was always stuff happening. Never dull at all.
What an exciting story! The end was full of tension as the tale raced to a very uncertain climax. I truly didn't know what would happen. When I had piWhat an exciting story! The end was full of tension as the tale raced to a very uncertain climax. I truly didn't know what would happen. When I had picked up this book this morning to read on the way to / from the horse ranch I certainly never expected such an adventurous action packed story as it had seemed to be just a girl shopping for a new horse.
So this book caught my attention for a few reasons. I will list them each individually.
1. One of Heather's horses in here is sick and the symptoms were mysterious enough that I was totally intrigued. This last year or so I have been learning about various equine diseases so I know just enough that this made me curious. But nothing I knew exactly fit what the book describes...so...hmmm.... But the mystery definitely had me reading more so I could find out what it was. I am uncertain how much this would compel the general reader (??) but it certainly caught my attention - but then realize I am learning about stuff like thrush, Cushing's (which poor Oliver has), equine diabetes, etc.
2. The horse training in here was fascinating too. Heather definitely faces some major obstacles with her new horse Frosty. They require creativity. Luckily she knows how to look at things differently and has an open mind. Not every horse is going to be suited for the same thing.
3. The adventure! This is definitely an adventure story, especially towards the end of the book. I mean serious life and death here. Heather makes some major careless mistakes and she has to deal with that later. It makes for a very thrilling read. I never expected such a page turner at the end of this book but there it was!
And then the very end states it is based on true events that had really happened. Wow.
And I just LOVE the black and white drawings in here too!! ...more
I have read this numerous times and it never fails to be a most exciting read, with this the first time I am reading it on my KA Great Adventure Story
I have read this numerous times and it never fails to be a most exciting read, with this the first time I am reading it on my Kindle. Two masters of the written word spinning a fantastic tale of beasts, things that go bump in the night and the brave people who face it. And who doesn't love a museum story? The atmosphere in here is just perfect, dark and creepy. And you never know for certain exactly when the beast will jump out and grab someone. You only know for certain that it will - but who will it take? There are some truly frightening moments in here, with characters running blindly in the dark for their lives. The tension is high. It's like something told around a campfire, those scary ones that make you jump and look behind yourself to make certain its only a story. I think it goes back to our roots, of us being hunted by a smart predator who knows exactly what it's doing and has excellent natural weapons to attack. And this thing is not easy to catch or kill, even for the FBI. The FBI after all is meant to deal with human criminals not a supernatural creature - its a bit out of their experience.
But I also love the characters in here. Once you start reading they seem like old friends. Margo who tries hard to do the right thing and finds herself caught up in this huge mess at her museum, Pendergast who is smart but has others getting in his way, Smithback who is chasing news for his book, Lt D'Agosta the police officer trying to save lives.... Then of course are the other characters, the ones you definitely don't like. And as I was reading I just knew they were going to run into huge issues. And of course they did. Because they were refusing to listen! And then chaos comes and bites them one... Its all quite exciting.. A mix of ancient history, science and big scares; jungles and museums and secret tunnels deep underground. and the worse definitely happens: its the perfect adventure story.
And I must say the story definitely ends with a huge twist! Its been long enough since I read this that I really didn't remember the end. And that certainly made it way more fun. Plus the fun will continue in the next book.
But these two never displeased me with their stories. ...more
This is without doubt one of the funniest "crack fics" I've read in a long time! The most stupid, zaniest and totally random stuff happens in here. I This is without doubt one of the funniest "crack fics" I've read in a long time! The most stupid, zaniest and totally random stuff happens in here. I was laughing out loud at this book numerous times! And towards the end it only grew more outrageous and insane, especially once she started a war against her husband. Because the husband definitely had to go!
So this is no book about "happily ever after" even though it has that cute pink cover. No, this is about the marriage from the deep pits of some horrid stinky swamp full of rats the size of fat porcupines... It starts out with the worst honeymoon ever. Imagine being sick through the whole thing with the gut rumbling and fighting over who has the bathroom. And if that isn't bad enough, then consider the fact that your "perfect other" doesn't care about what you are saying. He is supposed to care about your thoughts and feelings...but he doesn't. And that is a big problem.
From there it only gets worse.
Your new mother-in-law lives next door. And she is bossing you. And sabotages all of your important stuff too. She is a true devil.
So I am shocked and amazed at how much I liked this book!! This stuff was hilarious!! I cannot believe some of the insane stuff Jennifer does in here. She goes from being kind of meek to being so bold. And she takes the bull by the horns to change things for the better. She stands up for her rights and for the rights of others too. And in the process the story has heart. Yet at the same time its the most funny thing ever.
The funniest thing in here was the horn shaped things that sucked up insects. That was totally genius!! I was laughing so hard at that one and it was totally scandalous too! What nerve she had to actually do that!! I just love it!! And once Jennifer got going with this stuff she becomes a steamroller you cannot stop. And she had some good friends in here who help her along the way so she can fight for her freedom.
So this is apparently the third book in the series about Fury the horse. I have not read the previous ones but this works very well as a stand alone nSo this is apparently the third book in the series about Fury the horse. I have not read the previous ones but this works very well as a stand alone novel. The only real detail that seems to be missing is what state this takes place in. Due to events named at the end of the book - Operation Haylift which was a real event - the year is 1948. I will have to try and find the previous two books.
This is the story of a young boy named Joey who lives with his father Jim Newton and the foreman Pete Wilkie on a ranch. Its the type of ranch where they catch wild horses and then teach them to accept a saddle. Well young Joey has a very special black horse named Fury. And Fury is one of those rare horses where only one person can ride. But lately Fury has been escaping from his paddock and running wild up into the ridges and woods because he wants a girlfriend: a beautiful white mare.
Joey rides off to get Fury back and then he sees something that is illegal. And so he gets threatened by lumberman Mr Mark Yancey. This is not a plot secret as its written on the back of the paperback. Mr Yancey will kill Fury if anyone learns of his illegal activities.
There are certainly some dramatic moments in here, life and death situations. And yes, there are more than one. Other parts read like a family drama with arguments over various things as characters clash due to personality. Things get heated. And often characters make bad choices which lead to more problems.
And Joey does something very stupid in here that basically shocked me. How could he do that? I don't know. But I found it a tad hard to believe. I guess its due to his young age. The book never actually states his age either but I think he's in grade school. And yes he actually rides Fury up and back to school! I find that alone quite astonishing. Where does he put Fury once he arrives at school??? Does the school have a fenced pasture or a barn?
There are many characters in here including a traveling sales man who sells medicines of a very questionable nature. If you ever need a book with a conman peddler this would work well. And there is Aunt Maggie who's arrival turns the whole Broken Wheel ranch upside-down.
I found Mr Yancey to be very horrible. Its easy to hate him. And he is serious about that threat.
I do feel the story is a tad dated but it is an easy read. It gives you an idea of what life was like back then, especially with how the weather affected the people.
Wow! I truly loved this twisty story! Its fast paced and I just kept turning the pages with this one so I could find out how it would end. I did guessWow! I truly loved this twisty story! Its fast paced and I just kept turning the pages with this one so I could find out how it would end. I did guess something early on in the plot (as I had thought it was pretty obvious) and then I didn't find out until the very end to see if I was right. But it makes me feel pretty good to guess correctly so I don't mind. Other readers may not like it at all.
So this was the story of a lady author who just one day vanishes. And her husband wants to know where she has gone. As the book goes on you realize that his wife, Mina, has a ton of secrets. And there are very dark, bleak secrets too. And since the police are not very helpful at all he starts looking into things on his own, asking questions. And that is when he realizes he never actually knew his wife at all. For she had an entire secret life he knew nothing about. And the more he digs the more he finds out.
One reason why I liked this book is because I could relate to Mina very well. She has that quiet introvert personality that I can understand. Plus there are those other things too... I don't want to say too much as it will spoil the surprises in the plot but there are reasons why Mina is the way she is. She was taught to be that way.
The book does have a few different choices for the villain. And they all look quite guilty. The big question is which one?? As I said I did guess it very early. The clues are definitely there.
The very end did surprise me (even if I had correctly guessed the criminal). I didn't see that coming. In fact there were a few shocking things at the very end. It was startling.
This was fun to read. The plot moved at a good pace and it was never dull. ...more
I remember reading this many years ago and being totally hooked on it - and it's even better now. The story not only features an insane supernatural aI remember reading this many years ago and being totally hooked on it - and it's even better now. The story not only features an insane supernatural amusement park with the most freaky rides ever but it also has a powerful message in here: that you need to live your life and not let your fears control you.
And this park knows exactly what you're scared of. It can read your mind. And once you go into that park (which is located at the bottom of a deep canyon where no park should even be) the only way to ever leave again is by surviving seven rides. And each ride will indeed try to kill you in different ways. Many involve your fears or your interests. And then these things come back to bite you.
But Blake is not your average thrill seeker. He only goes there to try and rescue his younger brother named Quinn. And Quinn is one totally out of control kid. He is empty inside so he does the most insane things in an attempt to feel something. He never seems to stop to think if doing these things is dangerous. I do vaguely recall Quinn from my first time reading this years ago ( maybe in 2004) but I was shocked by his actions at the beginning of the book...
Blake seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I like him and I can relate to him. He likes to play it safe and he suffers from PTSD (or survivors guilt). He also has a lot of self control so he doesn't go crazy like the other thrill seekers. And that allows him to go up against the owner of this supernatural park. And Blake means to win if he can. But the clock is ticking.
I found this story to be absolutely thrilling and scary. It's a fun read. And even though its like twenty years old now it hasn't suffered at all, probably because the heart of the story is just so powerful.
The best piece of wisdom in here is probably that the fear and anxiety that we suffer controls us like puppets. And then we are scared to do the things we really want to do and so life passes us by. And so we are just surviving and not actually living.
Such a great fun book! Glad I now have my own copy as that copy I read so long ago was a library book. ...more
Wow! I cannot believe how quickly I read this one! But that only proves what a smooth flowing and fast paced story it is. If you want scary thrills thWow! I cannot believe how quickly I read this one! But that only proves what a smooth flowing and fast paced story it is. If you want scary thrills than this is the book for you, especially if the ideas of flying or being trapped deep under the water sets you on edge.
Did you ever see that old movie called The Poseidon Adventure? Parts of this kind of reminds me of that: people trapped deep under the sea in a vessel that's not meant to be under the sea. And escape is not easy. Both have a similar scary atmosphere too - and the air is running out.
I liked the characters in here. They definitely brought the situation to life. There are many to keep track of, both passengers and crew of the plane, but the main story focuses on a family. They are Will Kent and his 11-year-old daughter Shannon. Both are stuck on the plane. While up on the surface is Shannon's mother, Chris. But Chris isn't some helpless woman. She is a deep sea welder-diver who owns her own business and she is determined to do everything to save her family. This arrangement certainly brings something new to the plot.
While the majority of the story is set on the plane, portions are with the rescue crew on the surface. That allows us to know exactly how dire the situation truly is. And things indeed are dire.
Lots of tension in here. And there were certainly many unexpected problems too. At least one of them shocked me. I sure felt the clock ticking down as they were racing to the ultimate climax and the end of the air too. This story certainly holds nothing back. The danger and uncertainty is right there in your face the entire time and the only question is who will survive?
Reading this also makes you ask yourself which rescue method would you take? Because rescuing the people from the plane is not simple. A plane is not a submarine. There is no proper airlock. So how do you get the people out?? The author comes up with several different methods they try but which one would you trust if you were on that plane?? So this book can be a bit thought provoking.
A fun read for sure! Endless thrills and deep underwater scares.
So many emotions while reading this nonfiction book! It made me cry and it made me laugh too. Often the very real situations in here were so zany and So many emotions while reading this nonfiction book! It made me cry and it made me laugh too. Often the very real situations in here were so zany and out there but it's what happens when your life gets taken over by a bunch of greater sandhill cranes. You certainly cannot live life the way you used to. Nope. These giant birds take over and before you know it the cops are pulling you over one day and you have to explain those 3 massive squawking creatures that are pushing their way into the front seat while trying to bite the officer. And then you go to a drive-thru and everyone is staring at you. And that is just an example of what's in here.
The most funniest one in my opinion was the crane who was raised SO super carefully by the author. He made sure this bird didn't see him. So the bird would not imprint onto a human. Because he wanted the sandhill crane to know it was a sandhill crane. And when it got old enough to be let out of the enclosure (which was for safety) where did it go? It went loudly squawking right over by his horses! It thought it was a horse!!
But I really learned a lot about sandhill cranes while reading this. Before starting this book I knew absolutely nothing about them. And since the book is written in an easy to read conversation style it was a breeze to go through it. I just loved all the personal stories. Including other people's reactions when they saw these cranes.
But the book is not all laughs and crazy stories. The author worked hard trying to save these huge birds. He studied them. He tried to find out as much as he could. What kind of land do they need? What do they eat? They prefer marshy land. And the birds do not reproduce until they are 3 or 4 years old. Some birds never find a mate and some just vanish never to be seen again... He took rides in planes to see the country from above, trying to figure out how many cranes there were.
I have seen blue herons (which many people mistake for the greater sandhill cranes) but I don't think I have ever seen a sandhill crane. Hmmm.... I recall one year I did see some long legged bird that was very mysterious and it didn't want me to see it - every time I tried to glimpse it (to get a decent look as to what it was) it would fly away. While the blue heron I saw just stood there calmly and didn't care who looked at it. I wonder if that big nervous shy bird was a sandhill crane? It was in the river...
Have you ever seen a sandhill crane?
But if you enjoy reading first person accounts of animal related stories than try this one. ...more
I remember seeing a different copy of this book back when I was a kid, with a red and white cover. I don't recall where I had seen it but that dramatiI remember seeing a different copy of this book back when I was a kid, with a red and white cover. I don't recall where I had seen it but that dramatic cover with the black wolves certainly had gotten my attention. I wasn't able to read it back then but I certainly remembered that cover image. So finally, decades later, I was able to actually read it. Truthfully I don't know if I would have been able to appreciate or fully understand this as a kid. Would I have known what a governess is? Or how about a "wold" which is from the very first paragraph? If you look wold up, it says its a "moor" but as a kid that would have been another unknown word!
So I found this story dramatic and very captivating. Its about two young girls named Bonnie and Sylvia. They are cousins and Bonnie lives in a huge mansion on a moor with doting parents and servants. She has a huge collection of toys and she is very high spirited. Her cousin in many way is the opposite, very soft spoken, nervous about new situations and wants to do the proper thing but unfortunately often she is unsure what that is. Sylvia is leaving her elderly Aunt Jane to go live with Bonnie...she is to take the train. But its the dead of winter and hungry wolves are everywhere.
The main problem in here is the fact that the parents are going on a cruise and will be leaving the two girls with the new governess, someone who they had never met before... Of course I had guessed this would be the problem right away.
As an adult I could clearly see where the problem would be in this scenario. It was obvious, so it was no shock when Miss Slighcarp started to do totally outrageous stuff.
One thing in here that did shock me was the behavior of the wolves! Never did I think they would be so totally insane and slathering at the jaws to get people (anyone mind you). Some part of me finds it hard to believe that real wolves would act this way - but I believe it was common for people to believe that wolves did this stuff. In reality their diet is mostly rodents. So in my opinion their behavior is way out there but it makes a good exciting story.
As I was reading I did have a few different ideas of how this story would end. One of my ideas turned out to be correct with many others being wrong. After reading the end it does leave me with a few minor questions. But then I do tend to think about things. A good story makes you think.
There are countless turns, twists and surprises in here. Many of the characters are very clever and they do the most stunning things. Bonnie herself can be just totally out of control outrageous, including throwing liquid into the face of an adult. She knows injustice when she sees it and she is not willing to put up with stuff. Unfortunately its not that easy to fix. And how can she get her home back??
The main characters are just so heartwarming and the bad ones are true stinkers you want to hate. They just seem to ooze some horrid oily slime from their pores! In fact as soon as I met the one I just knew he couldn't be trusted and I was right!!
And I liked Simon and his geese too.
This story kept moving at a good pace. No boring scenes at all. There are secrets to discover too. Its a grand adventure story. ...more
This story is in part based on true events, about communication attempts back in the 1960s to teach English to dolphins. I was unsure what to expect fThis story is in part based on true events, about communication attempts back in the 1960s to teach English to dolphins. I was unsure what to expect from this but since I do like books about animals I thought I would try this. I will admit I don't know much about dolphins and I have certainly never seen the ocean before, but I do work with horses so I do know a bit about trying to communicate with another species. Its not exactly easy, especially when you first start. I remember how puzzled I was by a horse's chewing motions when they weren't eating and this gives me the ability to understand Cora in this story.
I did enjoy reading this. The writing is powerful and I certainly was swept into the strange experiment that Cora found herself in. And maybe even stranger is the fact she was a waitress. She didn't train to do this. In fact she stumbled onto this job by sheer chance, exploring the island of St Thomas. And then she is in this lagoon with four dolphins and these guys are offering her a job. $300 a week!
It sounds so fantastical doesn't it? And she never went to college. And she is deaf. But she can hear better under the water, something about the water contacting the bones... I guess the water carries vibrations or something. The book explained it way better than I can.
But its a very fascinating story. How do you communicate with another species, especially one so different? And Cora is so smart. She is definitely smarter than the three male scientists in here. And because she is deaf, that gives her the experience of watching people to understand body language so she transfers that to understanding dolphins.
I feel I learned a lot about dolphins from reading this. Its a fascinating story and the male scientists present danger in various forms too. You don't ever really know what they may do so that danger looms throughout the book. And you just have to hope that both Cora and the dolphins will be ok.
But I think one of the most important lessons in here is how Cora learns to stand up for herself. She grows and changes as a person.
I believe this is a book I would read again. ...more
This was quite the exciting story! It seems awhile since I read a thriller like this and it definitely had lots of the features that I happen to enjoyThis was quite the exciting story! It seems awhile since I read a thriller like this and it definitely had lots of the features that I happen to enjoy in these types of stories, including a good chunk of it out in the wilderness (in this case it is a huge national park out in the Netherlands)...
So the main characters in here are 12 year old Karen, her mother Grace (who is an American) and her step-father Martijn. But things are not going very well for the family at home. And so Karen wanted to get away from the stress (and fighting) so she decided to do this "dropping" that is apparently a common practice in the Netherlands. Kids are brought to a national park with a scout group and they are left somewhere. And they are supposed to find their way to camp. But things go wrong for Karen and she truly gets lost...
And her mother makes some very disturbing discoveries too that has her very worried about her new husband. It seems that Martijn is not what he says??
So I read this one super fast! Basically I read the whole book in just a few hours. This is definitely the most exciting one I read since "Arkstorm" when it comes to thrillers. There is lots of suspense, action and there is some decent mystery in here too. I had figured out pretty quickly that Martijn was up to something but unsure what or why...
And Karen. Wow. What a good head on her shoulders! I am really impressed with her, especially when you look at her age.
So I had picked this book up this morning with the intention of putting it back away but then I decided to read the first page - and I got hooked. I eSo I had picked this book up this morning with the intention of putting it back away but then I decided to read the first page - and I got hooked. I even took it out with me today when I went for a walk to run a few small errands. The weather was nice for once - rare for a March day in Wisconsin - and I had thought maybe I could sit outside for a brief time and read a few pages. Really didn't get to do that but I sure finished it when I got home today. And the pages just flew by. This was a super fast read as the story just flows like magic.
Its December of 1943. And 7-year-old Patrick just lost his mother inba car accident. And Miss Townsend (who is a social worker) is taking him to meet his grandfather for the first time. And Ian Collins house is not set up for a little kid at all. He doesn't like his routine being disturbed and he is not friendly at all. Plus while its almost Christmas there are no lights, decorations or even a tree. Ian just pretty much shows Patrick to a bedroom and that is that. The problem is that young Patrick does not feel welcome at his grandfather's home and everything he does seems to make it worse. How would you fe if your mother just died and you were pushed off onto some stranger?
I kept reading because I wanted to know how things would turn out between Patrick and his grumpy sour grandfather. Would they improve? Or would they get worse? And a bigger question is would Patrick's father Shawn ever come home from the War where he is flying a bomber?
There are so many wonderful details in here that really bring the year of 1943 to life like the colored coupons and points and about handing in jars of used fat. I never heard of the fat one before but I have seen some of those old books of those "coupons". I didn't know that red ones were for meat though.
Then about maybe 3/4 of the way through the story something truly scary and dramatic happens. That I had not expected at all. I mean life threatening! Would it turn out ok ? I had no idea but I felt like yelling at the one character to get him to notice - not that it would do any good. But disaster was so close and no one knew!
I really liked the characters in here. And I think I could understand the gruff grandfather too.
This was just fun to read. Very relaxing way to spend Sunday afternoon.
And its interesting to see a war story that is not focused on the war itself but on how it affects the people left behind. This story takes place in Allingdale PA. ...more
So when I started to read this World War One story I wasn't too sure if an actual donkey would be in here. Because the book clearly states that the doSo when I started to read this World War One story I wasn't too sure if an actual donkey would be in here. Because the book clearly states that the donkey is a tiny silver figurine. But yes, real donkeys do appear each time the soldier is telling the kids a story. So there are stories in the story.
I do like reading these middle grade books. And one reason why I liked this one is that the two little girls in here are so innocent. And they think its so super exciting to find the soldier lost in the woods. And he is their big secret. But since they are so kind, they want to help him. But how do you do that while still keeping him a secret? Plus they have to go to school! And he has to eat. So what do you do?
So that is the situation. Plus he's blind. He cannot really walk anywhere. He is just stuck there in the woods, relying on the little girls' kindness to stay alive.
I must say I was totally hooked on this! The story flowed very smoothly and it seemed I was right there too. In France. In some little town that has a woods and is near a large body of water.
And the soldier tells them 3 stories. Each story is very different but they each have a donkey in it. And the youngest girl, Coco, she just loves holding the tiny silver donkey figurine. And what an imagination she has, pretending she is galloping all over the place on a donkey. But his stories actually point out how brave and steady the donkey is, how they never complain but work hard, the abuse they take silently as they carry heavy loads. These little tales are great for anyone who loves donkeys. But this is a war story so there is indeed stuff in here about World War One.
I did guess how it was going to end... Somehow I just knew. And then when I read the past few sentences I knew I had guessed right. I just had a feeling it was going to end that way.
I liked how it ended.
Of the stories he told I think the second one about the weather was my favorite. It tries to explain a few things. Like why is a stormy sky that dark grey color?
I also like that the book names many different donkey breeds and describes them too. The kind of donkey I know has the black cross shape on their backs. I know two of them.
But mainly I love the fact that this is a simple old fashioned adventure story from the eyes of young children. It reminds me of the old comic books I read as a kid - those had simple stories too. ...more
This was a very relaxing and delightful book to read; a great way to spend a snowy, chilly afternoon. And I got totally caught up in this story about This was a very relaxing and delightful book to read; a great way to spend a snowy, chilly afternoon. And I got totally caught up in this story about a 3-legged dog, his friend the mouse and a robotic dog. Somehow they get outside the dog pound where they are living and they go on an adventure; trying to get the metal dog back to his family. But once they get outside, things do not go as planned. And that of course is the adventure. There were many adventures inside the dog pound too.
At first I had to admit I didn't like the robotic dog named Metal Head. Why? Because Chance the main character didn't like him! Odd maybe but true. And Metal Head seemed very aloof. Standoffish. He had his own ideas. But what he also had was a plan. But as Chance started to get to know him than I also started to know him and his story. Plus Chance has a story too. Like how he lost his leg and ended up in the pound.
The dog pound in here seems kind of complicated. Or to me it does anyway. Of course I have never been to a dog pound. But this one has a reading program and everything. And the dogs all do stuff in their efforts to get adopted by someone. But through the reading program they help kids learn to read.
The theme at the center of this story is friendship. On how by working together friends can do all sorts of things. You are more powerful together than alone. Then the impossible becomes possible.
In many ways this reminds me of that one animated movie about the dogs. What was it called? Pets? There was that crazy rabbit in it too? Its very similar to that...
I know this book is for middle grade readers but I was totally hooked on this..never a dull moment in here either. And even near the very end I was uncertain how it would end. But there are many ups and downs in here, which the characters get through because of friendship. ...more
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