Entries Tagged '4.5-5 Treasure Chests' ↓
March 10th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Book Review, G-I, Humorous, Mystery, Paranormal, YA Genre
by Captain Lyaf Yarr
Title: Bunnicula
Authors: Deborah Howe, James Howe
Format: Paperback
Pages: 128
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Summary: Chester the cat and Harold the dog are curious about the new family pet. The Monroes found the bunny at a Dracula movie in a box of dirt. Chester tries to get rid of the bunny, now named Bunnicula by the Monroes, because he’s convinced the bunny is a vampire. He comes to this conclusion based on a book called The Mark of a Vampire. Bunnicula has all the signs – the black and white coloring, the pointy fangs, the ability to turn vegetables white and to escape his cage through miraculous means. It’s a matter of family safety! The bunny has to go!
Why I Started the Book:
Bunnicula was a class assignment in the month of October for a Halloween read. The book was broken into sections. We started by reading one chapter a week and then our teacher read aloud to finish the novel.
Likes:
- The pictures in the book were cool. I wish there were more of them because the illustrator did a phenomenal job. The bunny is so cute!
- It’s a very humorous story. There are a lot of laughs from silly to clever shenanigans. (e.g. Chester mixes up “stake” and “steak” and attempts to pummel Bunnicula with a steak.)
Dislikes:
- (This is not a book dislike.) Don’t watch the twenty minute movie companion to this story! It’s soooo bad! It’s really just awful and the book is so much better!
Last Minute Thoughts: I enjoyed this book a lot and plan to read the sequel, Bunnicula Strikes Again!
I think other classes and kids would enjoy this seasonal book a lot!
Buy: Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery (Paperback)
Book Rating: I give this book 4.5 treasure chests!
Originally posted 2009-11-09 03:50:01.
February 28th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, A-C, Audio Book Review, Book Review, Coming of Age, Dystopia or Utopia Societies, Guest Review, Science Fiction, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: Ender’s Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Narrators: Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison
Format: Unabridged Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (11 hours, 11 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 9th Grade
Summary: In a near-future society, the human race is in a war against the buggers, a hostile alien race, who nearly won twice in two wide scale confrontations against humankind. Fearing a third invasion, a system was put in place to discover and train child prodigies in the art of war. This system found Ender Wiggin, and set a course for him unlike any other kid that has gone before. Is Ender the general humankind desperately needs?
Meanwhile a second (side) plot revolves around Earth, Ender's siblings, and it's three separate governing bodies. The Hegemon, Strategos, and Polemarch, all struggle for supreme control and threaten humankind on the home front. Peter and Valentine are determined to make the world over in their image and work to achieve this through the "Nets" to influence how the masses think. Are two kids capable of achieving that sort of influence?
Why I Started This Book:
I can name approximately half a dozen boys over the last several years telling me I had to read this book. It was essential, a must read! I caved. Got it in audio format, because I’m grooving it right now and settled in for the long haul. I now have to apologize to the first five guys who said to read it and I ignored. Great book!
Likes:
- Orson’s style of writing. It’s obviously a style meant to be read aloud; in fact audio format is the best version to meet this book and is something the author mentioned at the end of CD #9.
- Orson’s writing is very evocative. You see pictures and feel emotions and think thoughts as if you were a part of the book itself.
- Battle School is fantastic. I loved it when Ender finally goes up in rank and starts commanding. The mock battles are some of my absolute favorite moments.
- The surprising twist at Command School. It was an ending I did not expect it. I liked it even more when Orson took the story further and explained the aftermath. That too did not go how I pictured it might. Frankly, I was expecting that Ender was going to have to watch out for Peter.
Dislikes:
- Very little. I was going to say the graphic nature of some of the fights or the violence but as Orson pointed out in his ramble at the end of the CD #9 the language is in fact very plain. All graphic nature is rendered through the reader.
Last Minute Thoughts: It’s definitely a book for boys as it deals on many fronts issues boys face more often than girls such as bullying and warfare. Ender also goes through a crisis of identity of self. He does not want to be a killer (or hurt others) but is forced to become one. I think the following quote explains this very well:
Unlike his brother, Ender does not take pride in destroying others and commits this action because he is often pushed into situations which demand physical defense. This portrayal and situation in the novel justifies Ender's actions. (Nick M. on Amazon.com)
I am glad I came to this book now instead of earlier in my life. I don’t think I would have appreciated it then. I do now. It’s terrific! I’m giving the audio book to my dad and telling him to listen to it. He’s on CD #2 and loves it so far.
Buy: Ender's Game (Unabridged Audio Book)
, Ender's Game (Paperback)
, The Ender Quartet Box Set (Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind)
Find books by Orson Scott Card on ebay.
Book Rating: 5 Treasure Chests.
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 2009-10-30 03:09:28.
February 12th, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Movie Review
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Director: Chris Columbus
Length: 119 minutes
Rating: PG
Summary: The mythical world is hunting unsuspecting Percy Jackson. He is said to be the Lightning Thief, the one who stole Zeus’ master thunderbolt. Dark angry clouds are gathering across the world as Zeus prepares for war against Poseidon, Percy’s father, who is supposedly the mastermind behind this nefarious scheme. When Percy’s mother is abducted to the underworld, Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover go on a quest to find her and clear his name.
Why I saw this movie:
I read the entire series of Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan with the idea that I would see all the movies. They will be the next Harry Potter and not just because Chris Columbus directed the film.
Likes:
Everything because I don’t think there was anything that I didn’t like.
I loved Brandon T. Jackson as Grover. He was fantastic. A lot of his lines were comic relief and a bit campy but fun. He delivered with perfect execution and timing. You can’t help but chuckle.
Alexandra Daddario who plays Annabeth was wonderful. It’s nice to see a side of her outside of White Collar
, USA Network’s television series. She does an amazing job and brings a lot of life to the character. I think she’s pretty kickass.
They could not have cast a better Percy Jackson than in Logan Lerman. The boy is extremely good looking, hovering right between a more dorky persona and a confident youth. I wouldn’t mind watching him for long hours in a row.
Jake Abel is one hunky Luke. Without giving away too much of the future movies and plots, let’s just say I can’t wait to see him in the next films.
Rosario Dawson was an unexpected delight. She gave life to Persephone, a character I wasn’t all that sure about in the novels. I loved her sassy and sarcastic behavior toward Hades (Steve Coogan).
Craig Titley did an excellent job writing the script. He kept the essence of Rick Riordan’s novel while inserting a little more comedy, fluidity, and interest. Much of the basic world building facts are there. I can’t think of anything that was missed and needed.
I particular liked the handling of Medusa. In the books I thought it was extremely lame. The movie brought it out better and you seriously can’t go wrong with Uma Thurman. She was hysterical and fabulous.
The visual effects were stunning. It’s amazing what almost a decade can do when you compare the first Harry Potter movie to the first of this new franchise. I was not at all disappointed. They’re subtle, loud, beautiful, scary, and perfect rendered. You will be delighted.
I seriously can’t wait for movie two: Sea of Monsters!
Buy: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Rating: 5 Treasure Chests
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.
February 3rd, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, Book Review, M-O, Paranormal, Romance, YA Genre
by Captain Lyaf Yarr
Title: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyers
Page Count: 498
Format: Paper back
Grade Reading Level: 9 - 12
Summary: Bella Swan moves to a small town called Forks in Washington, USA and meets a different boy, Edward Cullen. He’s more than a little different; he’s a vampire. Bella doesn’t know this, yet but as she gets more clues she figures it all out. Once she does, Bella and Edward sit down for a heart to heart talk. It creates a whole new relationship. Will Edward and Bella fall in love? Will he lose control and kill Bella? Read to find out!
Why did you read the book:
I read this book because I wanted to see the movie
, and in order to see the movie my eldest sister told me I had to read the book and so that’s exactly what I did.
Likes:
- I enjoy the idea of vampires in a romance novel! He loves you so much he wants to drink your blood - that's hot.
- I love all of the characters in this book, it wouldn’t be Twilight as we know it without them all. The Cullens are a great part of the book. They are a fantastic family.
- Edward’s and Bella’s chemistry is one of the best parts of the book. It’s AWESOME! Won't spoil you further you have to read the book for yourself!
- One of the best parts of this book is the action! It’s probably the BEST (and only) action filled romance book I’ve ever read. James is scary.
Dislikes:
- I don’t like Jacob Black! He likes Bella and loathes Edward, it just doesn’t make sense who (how can you not LOVE Edward Cullen?!?). Go team Edward!
Buy: Twilight (paperback)
, The Twilight Saga Collection in Hardback (Books 1-4)
Book Rating: I give this book 4 ½ treasure chests! It was greatly written and every part caught my attention!
Originally posted 2009-09-16 03:43:01.
February 1st, 2010 — 4.5-5 Treasure Chests, A-C, Book Review, Family Life, Guest Review, School Situations, YA Genre
by Second Mate Embry, guest reviewer
Title: Extra Credit
Author: Andrew Clements
Format: Hardback
# of pages: 183
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Summary: Abby Carson is going to be held back! Unless if she can raise her grades and get either a B or higher on all of her future quizzes and homework. She decides that she will do an extra credit project. The teacher assigns Abby to write to a pen pal in another country. She thinks her pen pal is a girl, but it is against tradition for a boy to write a letter to a girl where her pen pal lives. Sadeed, Abby's pen pal, must have his younger sister sign the letters. When Abby finds out that she's not writing to who she thinks she is what will happen? Will Abby get held back?
Why I Started the Book:
I started this book because the cover caught my eye. Also the title grabbed my curiosity. What is this book about and how does it relate to extra credit?
Likes:
- I like how this book shows both points of view of Sadeed and Abby. That's pretty cool.
- This book was different (in a good way) for me. I've never come across this plot before. I enjoyed it a lot.
- I love Sadeed's ideas of mini mountain!
Dislikes:
- The names of the men in Sadeed's village confused me whenever they were mentioned. It was a little hard to follow at first and I had to double back and figure out who was who.
Last minute thoughts: This book really surprised me. It kept me entertained and I enjoyed reading it
Buy: Extra Credit
Book Rating: I give this book 4.5 treasure chests!
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