The narrator was wonderful. The story was imaginative and enjoyable. It was fun to see more of the land of Oz and the various people and creatures of The narrator was wonderful. The story was imaginative and enjoyable. It was fun to see more of the land of Oz and the various people and creatures of Oz.
This adventure story had a pretty unique premise. It was well written with well-developed characters. I loved that it was reminiscent of The MysteriouThis adventure story had a pretty unique premise. It was well written with well-developed characters. I loved that it was reminiscent of The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Content: violence, alcohol, beer-cooked food served to children, mythology mentioned ...more
The boarding school setting worked beautifully for this story. It was great to get POVs from both the teachers and students, because that provided theThe boarding school setting worked beautifully for this story. It was great to get POVs from both the teachers and students, because that provided the most complete picture of this place and how it, and the people in it, ticked.
I liked how each character brought their own personality and problems to the table. From obesity and jealousy to entering a new school and a new job, those real-life issues created an intricate, tumultuous plot that was addicting. There was a good contrast between the rich, snobby girls and the scholarship student who yearned to fit in. This dynamic was easy to relate to and kept the pages flying fast.
The drawback for me was the unnecessary use of bad language, which was quite excessive. If not for that, this could have easily been a four- or five-star read.
Content: profanity (excessive, by adults and teens alike), crude talk, rude gestures mentioned, unwed pregnancy, expletives (excessive, by adults and teens alike), tobacco, alcohol, sexual perversion mentioned, marital affairs...more
Amnesia is a favorite trope of mine. I loved how is involved a missing baby and a slowly returning memory this time.
SSo much to love about this book!
Amnesia is a favorite trope of mine. I loved how is involved a missing baby and a slowly returning memory this time.
Suspense is a favorite genre of mine. I loved how the stakes kept rising throughout the story. It was also great to see this genre set in late-autumn Montana. Fantastic choice!
The leading characters and their romance were fantastic. I was hooked until the very end.
The only setbacks (which were very minor) were that one, the quick rundown of fellow K-9 team members was too fast to absorb and held major spoilers for the previous books and two, that one baddie was obvious to me (but the others were complete surprises, which was great fun).
There were some things I enjoyed about this story. There was a unique usage of a Halloween costume. The murder mystery was fun. It was neat that the lThere were some things I enjoyed about this story. There was a unique usage of a Halloween costume. The murder mystery was fun. It was neat that the lead owned a yard sale business. There were plenty of twists and surprises to keep me guessing.
There were things that I didn’t like too. Most revolved around sexual themes. No thanks!
Content: profanity, crude gestures, expletives, sexual perversion, prostitution, alcohol, premarital sex ...more
What a charming story! It was adorable and creative with many hijinks. I especially loved the epistolary format. Actor Jim Broadbent did a wonderful jWhat a charming story! It was adorable and creative with many hijinks. I especially loved the epistolary format. Actor Jim Broadbent did a wonderful job narrating the book’s audio. His engaging style worked perfectly for a Paddington story.
This was a sweet tearjerker. It was joyful, creative, and charming. It dealt with themes of grief, bullying, friendship, and responsibility. The narraThis was a sweet tearjerker. It was joyful, creative, and charming. It dealt with themes of grief, bullying, friendship, and responsibility. The narrator of the audio was great at voices. Her Southern accents were spot-on, and she was quite entertaining.
Content: strip poker mentioned, replacement expletive phrase, replacement profanity ...more
This would have been a nice introduction to a unique piece of history if the history in the book hadn’t been altered and adjusted.
The author’s voice wThis would have been a nice introduction to a unique piece of history if the history in the book hadn’t been altered and adjusted.
The author’s voice was engaging and enjoyable. The characters were well developed and came alive beautifully.
I didn’t care for the title because it felt like it was trying to ride the coattails of the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
This book was very realistic and gave a good idea of what it was like living in an internment camp during WWII. I love reading real-life stories aboutThis book was very realistic and gave a good idea of what it was like living in an internment camp during WWII. I love reading real-life stories about Americans who lived through tough times. It gives me hope for current-day living as well.
There was also a nice interview at the end of the audiobook.
This book was an enjoyable thing, but there were references from the 1990s and before that the modern-day child might not easily understand. Divorce wThis book was an enjoyable thing, but there were references from the 1990s and before that the modern-day child might not easily understand. Divorce was featured as a worry for a child. The story sometimes went off on rabbit trails that distracted from the point of the story.
That being said, I loved the friendships and the baking competition and the community aspects of this book.
I was shocked at how crude this children’s book was. Definitely not what I was expecting when I chose to read it. Just so parents know before allowingI was shocked at how crude this children’s book was. Definitely not what I was expecting when I chose to read it. Just so parents know before allowing their kids to read it: there was a crude hand gesture mentioned and performed by children a couple of times in this book. Totally inappropriate at any age, but it’s definitely something I think parents should be aware of prior to giving a book to their children. There were also a few spots of liberal-minded propaganda sprinkled throughout.
Things I liked were… … it was an outdoor adventure ... road trip! … there were fun mishaps that led to good plot twists … it was from a middle-grade boy’s perspective … it took place in Big Bend National Park … there was some good emotional depth at times (particularly with the graphic novel creation) … the sibling therapy session!
Content: expletives, crude gestures (by children and adults), profanity, crude talk, alcohol, tobacco, nudity, skinny-dipping, psychics/tarot/palm readings, tattoos...more
The clash of cultures was the highlight of this adventure book for me. It was fun to see the differences between the cultures of Japan and America durThe clash of cultures was the highlight of this adventure book for me. It was fun to see the differences between the cultures of Japan and America during the 1850s. It was good to see a couple of boys learning new things about one another’s culture—that different isn’t always a bad thing. It was also neat to see the wild theories about other cultures and people prior to getting to know them. Funny how those things spiral into bizarre hyperbole so quickly!
Content: Buddhism, derogatory terms, public bathing (including nudity) ...more
This was perhaps the most important book I’ve read all year (2022). It very eloquently expressed a patriotism that seems to be fleeting in current eveThis was perhaps the most important book I’ve read all year (2022). It very eloquently expressed a patriotism that seems to be fleeting in current events, so this story serves as a good, solid reminder of what standing up for one’s country might look like.
It was wonderful to see such strong patriotism in a middle-grade child. Sometimes it’s the children that have the best ideals and strongest sense of a moral compass. There is much we can learn from this book and children similar to its leading gal.
The cover was amazing and set the perfect tone, casting an urgent, anticipatory mood for the story beneath it to live up to. The novel did just that and surpassed all my expectations.
There was such a tragic opening few chapters that I knew soon enough that I was in for a great story. The chapters kept zipping right along at a pace that made my mind whirl, but it was well worth it to discover a new favorite, fantastic story.
The plot was complex and peppered with quirky, unique characters that wrenched my heart at every possible turn of events.
I especially appreciated that this was clean fiction. Not a bad word or crude comment to speak of. What a relief! This is a book I can easily and gladly highly recommend to any reader of any age, particularly if they love getting hooked by an intriguing premise and dragged along for quite the adventure.
This book was filled to overflowing with hope despite extremely tough times. This gives me hope for 2022’s America. Things might be tough at the moment, folks, but God is in control and provides hope for a better future (namely, eternal joy and life in Heaven) for those who choose to trust Him no matter what this world throws at us. This book, while not Christian, served as a reminder that He can hold us firm and strong through the hardest of circumstances. I’m so glad He’s done that for me many times in the past and continues to do so today....more
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.
This collection of ideas of how to incorporate prayer into FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.
This collection of ideas of how to incorporate prayer into one’s daily routine was delightful, easy to read, and quite an encouragement. I already do many of the tips (I don’t find it odd at all to pray in the restroom, by the way), but there were plenty that were new to me. It was good to see the Bible verses and other encouraging quotes included.
I particularly appreciated that the author suggested one ask for patience if one needs it. I’m of that same opinion, and it’s worked rather well for me in the past.
The irony was that the author failed to include thanks to God in the acknowledgements for His help in writing this book about prayer. ...more
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