Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Old books worth a read now!
I recently read on Roger Sutton's blog (editor in chief of Horn Book Magazine) that some people consider Holes by Louis Sacher to be the best children's book written. (I don't recall if "ever" was in the sentence, but it was implied.) Well I have never warmed up to that book so I was pleased when someone commented likewise and suggested The One-Eyed Cat by Paula Fox as an alternative. I had never read it, so I did.
The One-Eyed Cat is a thoughtful novel about guilty secrets on the 9 to 11 year old level. It is really quite engrossing, though not fast paced. I'm not sure about "best", but I'm really glad I went back to read this 1984 book.
While I was reading old books I took a look at Enders Game by Orson Scott Card. Wow! When you think that parts of that story were published in SciFi magazines in 1977, and the whole was originally published in 1985, it is stunning in it's vision of the future that is almost now. Except for the interplanetary travel, it's all here: virtual multi-player games, and chatting on "the net," for example. I know Bonnie Kunzel has been raving about this book as long as I've known her. I join the cheerleaders. Try it out even if you don't like Sci Fi (I don't) - there is enough character development and plot here to keep you engrossed. I assure you.
The One-Eyed Cat is a thoughtful novel about guilty secrets on the 9 to 11 year old level. It is really quite engrossing, though not fast paced. I'm not sure about "best", but I'm really glad I went back to read this 1984 book.
While I was reading old books I took a look at Enders Game by Orson Scott Card. Wow! When you think that parts of that story were published in SciFi magazines in 1977, and the whole was originally published in 1985, it is stunning in it's vision of the future that is almost now. Except for the interplanetary travel, it's all here: virtual multi-player games, and chatting on "the net," for example. I know Bonnie Kunzel has been raving about this book as long as I've known her. I join the cheerleaders. Try it out even if you don't like Sci Fi (I don't) - there is enough character development and plot here to keep you engrossed. I assure you.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Murdock, Catherine. Dairy Queen.
Target age - about 5th, 6th, 7th. very innocent
A funny, hardworking farmgirl from a family of star football players is given the job of
coaching the cutest guy imaginable from the rival team. DJ reels you in easily
to her world of the farm and her determination to help hold things together until her
father recovers from an accident. And that annoying, spoiled guy she's training of
course turns out to be very nice. Unspoken difficulties her family finds too painful to face
are dealt with and give the story some depth. This is a fun summer romance. 4+ Ann
Target age - about 5th, 6th, 7th. very innocent
A funny, hardworking farmgirl from a family of star football players is given the job of
coaching the cutest guy imaginable from the rival team. DJ reels you in easily
to her world of the farm and her determination to help hold things together until her
father recovers from an accident. And that annoying, spoiled guy she's training of
course turns out to be very nice. Unspoken difficulties her family finds too painful to face
are dealt with and give the story some depth. This is a fun summer romance. 4+ Ann
Thursday, May 25, 2006
JU-READS First Post
Welcome
After agreeing that better communication of what we are reading (and what we recommend or
pan) is VERY DESIRABLE, we now have our own Blog to share that information!! So, anytime you have read something, either good or bad, please share!!
How about we try to include author, title, target age, publication date, brief description, do we recommend it?or not?, your name so we can ask you more questions about the book if we want to know more.
Springer, Nancy Case of the Missing Marquess (An Enola Holmes Mystery)
Target age -probably 4th, 5th, 6th grade. Mystery. 2006. This is the first of a
fun little series starring the much younger sister of Sherlock Holmes. Enola
(alone spelled backwards) is as sharp as her famous brother, but she knows
the world of and the wiles of women, which Sherlock dismisses as unimportant.
Women are unreliable and unpredicatable beings after all!
Fun and recommended. (About a 4 out of 5) Ann
__________________________
Bates, Judy Fong Midnight at the Dragon Cafe. Target age - Adult
Alex Award Winner. 2005. Takes place in a small town in Canada in the
50's, a Chinese immigrant family who own a Chinese Restaraunt, told
through the eyes of a 10-11 year old girl. Sort of a gently told story
with very unusual family circumstances and sadness. Not a barnburner but interesting. (About a 3 out of 5). Ann
After agreeing that better communication of what we are reading (and what we recommend or
pan) is VERY DESIRABLE, we now have our own Blog to share that information!! So, anytime you have read something, either good or bad, please share!!
How about we try to include author, title, target age, publication date, brief description, do we recommend it?or not?, your name so we can ask you more questions about the book if we want to know more.
Springer, Nancy Case of the Missing Marquess (An Enola Holmes Mystery)
Target age -probably 4th, 5th, 6th grade. Mystery. 2006. This is the first of a
fun little series starring the much younger sister of Sherlock Holmes. Enola
(alone spelled backwards) is as sharp as her famous brother, but she knows
the world of and the wiles of women, which Sherlock dismisses as unimportant.
Women are unreliable and unpredicatable beings after all!
Fun and recommended. (About a 4 out of 5) Ann
__________________________
Bates, Judy Fong Midnight at the Dragon Cafe. Target age - Adult
Alex Award Winner. 2005. Takes place in a small town in Canada in the
50's, a Chinese immigrant family who own a Chinese Restaraunt, told
through the eyes of a 10-11 year old girl. Sort of a gently told story
with very unusual family circumstances and sadness. Not a barnburner but interesting. (About a 3 out of 5). Ann
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