Literature Young Adult Fiction » 2.5-3 Treasure Chests http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com YA Readers Reviewing Books. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:18:25 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Review: The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-the-unwritten-rule-by-elizabeth-scott/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-the-unwritten-rule-by-elizabeth-scott/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:48:56 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=1001

by First Mate Keira

Title: The Unwritten Rule
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 210
Grade Reading Level: 9th Grade +

Summary: All girls grow up knowing the unwritten rule. That you don’t date your friend’s exes is pretty much a given… but what about wanting to be with the guy while your friend is still dating him?

Why I started this book:

Saw some hype of it in the YA blogosphere a few months or so ago, sadly I can’t remember which blog anymore as I got the book from the library only very recently.

Likes:

  • The protagonist’s parents had evidence of a real life. The mother was involved in cooking and culinary contests. The father was a professor. They also were good parents and were still together and happy to be that way.
  • Ryan had wanted to break off his relationship to the friend from practically the beginning. In fact he was unwittingly roped into the relationship and was too shy and good mannered to break it off.
  • Sarah’s voice was sweet and heartbreaking as she worried about her friendship, her parents, and her friend’s boyfriend.

Dislikes:

  • Brianna hates her mom but is exactly like her mom. She belittles Sarah under the guise of kindness. She cheats on Ryan and yet insists she loves him and wants to stay with him.
  • The fact that Brianna cheated does in no way excuse or really justify Sarah’s and Ryan’s behavior. Cheating is never the answer. However while I don’t condone such behavior in real life I was very much rooting for the two.

Final Thoughts: Greg and Brianna deserve each other and Elizabeth Scott does a great job exploring one of life’s social dating rules.

Buy: The Unwritten Rule

Rating: 3 Treasure Chests

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by Cook Cutlery, guest reviewer

Title: The Bad Beginning (Book 1) Series of Unfortunate Events
Author: Lemony Snicket
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 162
Grade Reading Level: Ages 10+

Summary: Violet, Kluas and Sunny Bauldilair were at the beach when Mr. Poe comes and tell them that their parents had died in a fire. At their house all they find are ashes. Arrangements are made so that the kids live with Mr. Poe at his house while he tries to find them a relative to live with on a permanent basis. Mr. Poe finds them a place to live with Count Olaf. At Count Olaf's many bad things happen to them... in a series of unfortunate events!

Like:

  • I love Violet. She is always trying to invent something. For instance, later in the story Violet invents a grappling hook out of old clothes and old wire. How does she think of things like that so quickly? I would be hard pressed that is for sure.
  • Justice Starauss is very kind to the kids. He lets them use the library and helps them buy food so they can cook for Count Olaf and the troupe of people living with him.
  • Klaus and Violet are always taking care of Sunny and making sure she doesn’t get into trouble. I have a hard time with one sister that's closer to my age! So while it might not be very accurate in normal circumstances, the Bauldilair kids are a whole other ball of wax.

Dislike:

  • Mr. Poe doesn’t believe them when they are trying to tell him that Count Olaf is a terrible man and gives them way too many chores to do. Mr. Poe should know what sort of kids they are from when they lived with him and it's really important for adults to take kids seriously when it comes to stuff like that.
  • When Count Olaf puts on a play that is called the Marvelous Marriage. In actuality it is not a play but a real marriage ceremony. He wants to get the Bauldilair fortune that they were left with and does it through trickery. Plus, can you imagine being married to the guy? Gross!

Buy: The Bad Beginning (Hardback), The Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-13), The Trouble Begins: Books 1-3, The Situation Worsens: Books 4-6, The Dilemma Deepens: Books 7-9 , The Gloom Looms: Books 10-12

Rating: I give this book 3 out of 5 treasure chests.

Originally posted 2010-01-05 03:55:33.

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by Cook Cutlery, guest reviewer

Title: George’s Secret Key to the Universe
Author: Lucy and Stephen Hawking
Format: Paperback
# of pages: 295
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: It all starts one day when George was going to feed his pet pig, Freddy, that he got on Christmas one year and found that Freddy was missing. Thus begins the search for him which ends in this old abandoned house. George meets Eric who lives in the house with his daughter, Annie, and he shows him Cosmos, the most powerful computer in the world. Before Eric can show George what Cosmos can do, he has to swear not to tell anyone about it. George is dumbfounded by what he sees Cosmos do. Then the next day by mistake George tells his teacher Dr. Reeper (nice name huh?) about Cosmos which then leads to many other problems.

Like:

  • The main ideas of the story such as George trying to find his pet pig, or helping Annie find her missing father that got lost and George trying to win the science fair at his school so he can get a computer, something he has always wanted.
  • The illustrations drawn by Gary Parson are very cute. I like the style and the kids look like how I pictured they would look.
  • The scientific picture files that are through out the book that talked about astronomy such as the planets, stars, and black holes.
  • The little sideline summaries that are scattered throughout the book. They talk about science and the universe. For example: what is a comet?

Dislike:

  • The way Ringo and his boys act. I know I'm not supposed to like them, but I thought they were really mean because at some parts they would chase George home or they would take stuff of his when he wasn’t looking. I'd hate it if someone did that to me.
  • Mr. Reeper, who wants to use Cosmos for evil. Not my favorite character by any stretch of the imagination. He wants to use Cosmos to gain control of the universe so that he can become king of the universe. No Noble Peace Prize for him!
  • That Eric doesn’t believe George when George tries to tell him that the letter he got about a place that could support the human race was actually from his evil teacher, Graham Reeper (Dr. Reeper).

Buy: George's Secret Key to the Universe (Paperback)

Rating: I would give this book 3 out of 5 treasure chests. It was a good book. I enjoyed it a lot.

Originally posted 2010-01-01 03:28:36.

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by Captain Lyaf Yarr

Title: How to Train Your Dragon
Author: Cressida Cowell
Format: Hardcover
# of pages: 224
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: Hiccup Haddock III isn't the world's best Viking. Even though he's son of Stoick the Vast, the chief of their tribe, he isn't exactly how you would describe a hero. Hiccup and his tribe go searching to catch dragons (to train, not kill like the movie depicts). Hiccup struggles to catch the tiniest dragon of the lot, but at least he has caught a dragon, so he's already done better than expected. When a giant dragon encounters the pair it's time to put Hiccup's heroic skills to the test. Will Hiccup epically fail?

Why I Started the Book:

I started this book because it was a class assignment. I also wanted to read it because it was going to become a movie and you know how it is, I can't see a movie if there's a book to it.

Likes:

  • I like the idea behind this book. I like dragons and training a dragon for a pet sounded cool.
  • I thought that this book was going to be very “slap-stick” and stupid based off of the trailer for the movie, but it wasn't which was good. I like smart humor. :)

Dislikes:

  • The book started off pretty good and went downhill. I couldn't keep focused on it.
  • It was too predictable and even though I liked the ending. I pretty much had this book figured out from the get-go.

Last minute thoughts: I don't think I would have kept reading this book if it wasn't an assignment. The movie was better than the book in my opinion.

Buy: How to Train Your Dragon (Book 1)

Book Rating: I give this book 2.5 treasure chests!

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by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: The Wrath of Mulgarath (Book 5: The Spiderwick Chronicles)
Author: Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Format: Hardcover
# of pages: 136
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: In the final book the Grace children must rescue their mother. They will have to fight their way past Mulgarath’s defenses and get into his palace fortress made of garbage to do so. Without the Field Guide for clues, will they know what to do or can they do it all on their own?

Why I Started the Book:

It’s the last in the original series which I want to finish before renting the movie.

Likes:

  • The dragons – where they come from, how they grow, what they can do. I don’t want to give too much away as it was pretty neat.
  • Bryon, the griffin Simon rescued earlier in the series, shows tremendous loyalty to the kids. He gives them a lift to Mulgarath’s fortress at the junkyard and protects them from dragons. He’s a very handy fellow.
  • Hogsqueal proves to be trustworthy, which is great. He helps get the Grace children into the junkyard and winds up being a huge help in the fight against Mulgarath.
  • Timbletack the house brownie also stops being so difficult and pledges himself to the kids to help rescue their mom. It’s because of his actions Simon and Mallory escape with their lives.

Dislikes:

  • A trip to the elves and a promise to return the Field Guide gives Jared a few moment’s with Arthur Spiderwick. Arthur’s help is extremely minor as he has no experience directly with dragons and warns Jared to stay away from the ogre, Mulgarath.
  • Bragging as the source of Mulgarath’s downfall. It’s what ogres (and most villains) love to do best, so I get it, I just wish it wasn’t done in so obvious a manner.

Last Minute Thoughts: I found the last book to be of a better length for a children’s novel. I still would have liked them more if they were combine in one large volume or were extended and therefore larger and longer for older readers. The series is a great way to introduce young readers into fantasy. I would recommend it for 3-5th graders and 2nd too, most definitely if read aloud to them.

Buy: The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 5), The Spiderwick Chronicles (Boxed Set; Books 1-5)

Book Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
tc3

Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.

Originally posted 2009-12-25 03:49:43.

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by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: The Ironwood Tree (Book 4: The Spiderwick Chronicles)
Author: Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Format: Hardcover
# of pages: 108
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: At Mallory’s fencing competition, Jared spies a girl trying to break into his sister’s backpack. When corning the girl, Jared discovers that the girl is fey when she first shapeshifts into Jared’s triplet and then into a young boy. But cornering a shapeshifting fey is not a smart idea as the adults see only what they want to see which leads to Jared’s expulsion. While Simon tries to stand up for him, Mallory is tricked and kidnapped. Will the Jared and Simon be able to save their sister?

Why I Started the Book:

I wanted to finish the Spiderwick Chronicles so I grabbed the two remaining novels. There’s only five in total before the series stops following the Grace children and moves in another direction.

Likes:

  • The dwarves are master metalsmiths. What they can do with metal humans can only dream of and they’re very painstaking with their efforts so that every little thing is perfect. They take much pride in their work which is their downfall.
  • The metal tree underground in the dwarves’ kingdom (otherwise known as the ironwood tree) and the metal dogs. The illustrations and depictions were great.
  • The Knocker that they meet underground during their escape has a feel of Gollum from Lord of the Rings, but without the whole creepy Precious aspect. Luckily, he’s helpful and can hear what stones speak.

Dislikes:

  • Mulgarath’s casual genocide of the dwarves when he discovers they’ve been tricked by Jared and Simon and don’t have the Field Guide. He orders the goblins do all the killing. Afterward Mulgarath reveals that he had the guide the whole time. Why would he do that? Hopefully it’s revealed in the next book.
  • When the Grace children return home they find their mother has been kidnapped and that Hogsqueal helped. Hogsqueal is now looking like a nefarious character, but he swears he had no choice that it was join or die.

Buy: The Ironwood Tree (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 4), The Spiderwick Chronicles (Boxed Set; Books 1-5)

Book Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
tc3

Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.

Originally posted 2009-12-24 03:42:32.

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by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: Lucinda's Secret (Book 3: The Spiderwick Chronicles)
Author: Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Format: Hardcover
# of pages: 108
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: Thimbletack has stolen the Field Guide (or so the Grace children believe) and they want it back. However they are not the only ones who want it --- goblins, elves, ogres want it too just to name a few. Whatever will they do?

Why I Started the Book:

This is the last of the Spiderwick books I got at the library. I will need to get more so I can continue the story. They’re still too short, but the illustrations more than make up for it.

Likes:

  • The phooka – a half rabbit and monkey creature. It reminds me of the Cheshire Cat in Alice Wonderland.
  • All the Little People speak in rhyme which at a quick reading can be tricky to make anything of and leave one a little confused. I like it though and think it’s part of the charm of this series.

Dislikes:

  • Crazy Aunt Lucinda might not be so crazy, she’s the only adult that we know of who would believe the Grace children about the fairies because she made friends with some of them, but she certainly isn’t a character who makes a difference to the story. At least not yet.
  • The kids barely escape entrapment by the elves. They want the book and they are not above holding hostages to get it. The elves are supposed to come across noble and sinister at the same time and I'm not so sure it works here.

Buy: Lucinda's Secret (Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 3), The Spiderwick Chronicles (Boxed Set; Books 1-5)

Book Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
tc3

Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.

Originally posted 2009-12-23 03:39:48.

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by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: The Seeing Stone (Book 2: The Spiderwick Chronicles)
Author: Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Format: Hardcover
# of pages: 109
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: When Simon is captured by goblins, Jared and Mallory must find a way to get him back. Thimbletack knows what to do but he’ll only rhyme and give clues. Angry, Jared attacks Thimbletack and gets the seeing stone. Suddenly all things fey come to light!

Why I Started the Book:

I got three Spiderwick novels at once so I could read them back to back. This is book number two.

Likes:

  • The goblin species – part frog in appearance with wicked looking teeth that are not their own.
  • Hogsqueal, the hobgoblin. His spit allows the Grace children to see the fantasy kingdom right under their nose.
  • The troll in the lake. Good thing he’s not very smart or the kids would be in serious trouble.

Dislikes:

  • Tibbs getting eaten. Poor cat! How gruesome!
  • Thimbletack the brownie/boggart is one wicked little creature who makes a lot of mischief. I’m not sure he’ll stay as a dislike as I read more of the books, we’ll just have to wait and see what he does.

Buy: The Seeing Stone (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 2), The Spiderwick Chronicles (Boxed Set; Books 1-5)

Book Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
tc3

Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.

Originally posted 2009-12-22 03:46:39.

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by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: The Field Guide (Book 1: The Spiderwick Chronicles)
Author: Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Format: Hardcover
# of pages: 107
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: The Grace children are moving into their crazy aunt’s ramshackle house. It’s so rundown it’s practically falling apart. Of the three, Jared is having the most trouble coping with their parent’s divorce and their father leaving them. When strange and malicious things happen to Mallory and Simon, their mother blames Jared, but he didn’t do it! So… who did?

Why I Started the Book:

I asked the librarian at the reference desk for some series recommendations for kids that were similar to Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, and Percy Jackson. The Spiderwick Chronicles was one of the series mentioned. The books are shorter and read for a younger age than expected. I would think 3rd and 4th graders, maybe even 5th graders, would find these enjoyable and also more in their reading range.

Likes:

  • The world building going on is truly on a phenomenal and epic scale. So much is given in such a short span of time. It’s great!
  • The Grace children are a really great group of kids. Jared and Simon are twin boys, age 9. Mallory is the older sister at age 13. She picks on them but also protects them.
  • The pen and ink drawings are truly a delight. There are plenty of them, making reading a breeze. I can get through a book in just under an hour.

Dislikes:

  • The book reads like a partial story instead of a full story because of how short it is. I would prefer if the multiple books were combined in threes to make the reading experience more novel-like.

Buy: The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1), The Spiderwick Chronicles (Boxed Set; Books 1-5)

Book Rating: 3 Treasure Chests
tc3

Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.

Originally posted 2009-12-21 03:52:40.

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by First Mate Keira

Title: Silvertongue
Author: Charlie Fletcher
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 464
Grade Reading Level: Grades 5-8

Summary: Silvertongue takes place immediately after Ironhand. George still has one more battle to fight to win his freedom from the Stone. Edie believes her mom might be alive after all. A devil from the black void of the obsidian mirrors follows them back to London, stopping time and awakening the London Stone. The Walker is gone temporarily, locked in the mirrors, but now the children have something worse to face. With two powers of darkness working together war between the Spits and Taints is unavoidable.

Why I started reading this book:

It’s book number three of three in the this unLondon based trilogy.

Likes:

  • I liked finding out that the Raven isn't really supposed to be bad, but has been a servant of the Walker for a long time, bound to him by magic. Edie frees the Raven and he repays the debt by taking her through the memories of what has happened to show her more about her mom.
  • Clocker was one of my favorite Weirded Ones from Stoneheart, I was glad to see his return.
  • Shackleton and the Red Queen are excellent additions to the cast of Spits.
  • George's battle with the Dark Knight and Night Mare is excellent and well done.

Dislikes:

  • Edie Laemmel's still a bit of a nuisance as far a character goes. She's too stubborn by half and basically refuses to be a part of the group despite wanting to be there. She's my least favorite character in the trilogy.

Buy: Silvertongue (Stoneheart Trilogy, Book Three)

Rating: 3 Treasure Chests

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