March 6th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Book Review, G-I, Mystery, School Situations, YA Genre
by Captain Lyaf Yarr
Title: The Homework Machine
Author: Dan Gutman
Page Count: 146
Format: Hard cover
Grade Reading Level: 3rd-5th
Summary: Brenton, Snik, Kelsey, and Judy are in 5th grade and have only thing in common. Can you guess what it is? They all hate homework! Brenton, however, has a secret homework machine that only he knows about. Until, he decides to tell Snik, Kelsey, and Judy and give them permission to use it anytime. (As long as they keep it a secret.) But someone tells another student about the machine. When Brenton gets an email the kids aren't sure if they should still use the machine or who told the other student.
Why I Started the Book:
I read this book because I heard good things about it from my friends and my teachers. The title also made me curious and eager to read it. A homework machine? How Does it work?
Likes:
- I liked how this book was written. It was like a person was in a room being videotaped and someone was writing what they were saying, also it changed point of view or narrators a bunch of times which I thought was fun.
- I like the character Snik. To me he’s the, “I think I’m so cool, and everyone thinks so too!” kid.
Dislikes:
- The things that Kelsey does: like get her navel pierced, seemed real stupid to me. I don’t get why it was included in the book. I think Dan Gutman was trying to show how Kelsey changed throughout the book or how she was trying to get attention, but I’m still not sure.
Last minute thoughts: Dan Gutman has yet to disappoint me! You should try his other books also.
Buy: The Homework Machine (Paperback)
Book Rating: I give this book 4 treasure chests! It was excellent!
Originally posted 2009-11-05 03:01:51.
March 5th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Audio Book Review, Fantasy, Guest Review, P-R, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: The Battle of the Labyrinth
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Format: Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (10 hours, 33 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 6 – 8 Grade.
Summary: Annabeth finally gets her own quest and she’s breaking all the rules. If 3 is a powerful number, surely 4 is better? Tyson, Percy, Grover and Annabeth are off to find Daedalus in the Labyrinth. They need to ensure his aid of Camp Half-Blood as Luke is gathering more forces to march on the demigod camp. Can they avoid an epic battle?
Why I Started This Book:
Because it’s book four in the series, of course. I’m very glad I got this audio book and the next (final) one from the library at the same time. No waiting! Pure back-to-back enjoyment.
Likes:
- That Annabeth, Percy, Tyson, and Grover all go on a quest together. I really liked seeing the gang head off to fight and conquer together. Nobody was lost and needed rescuing (e.g. Grover book 2, Annabeth book 3.)
- The Labyrinth. It’s very cool and beats Harry Potter’s maze in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
hands down. You have dirt floors, underground sewers, aqueducts, great marble halls, skylights, and more. The maze is living and growing how it pleases.
- The Telchines, while being particularly loathsome monsters are the ones that made Poseidon’s trident. That’s pretty cool. I looked them up on Wikipedia and they’re said to be “excellent metallurgists” and to have raised Poseidon. I wonder if they’ll be an important part of the final book. Maybe be redeemed, as they were exiled in the first place for turning against the Olympian gods.
- There’s a really sweet sequence with Calypso on the island of Ogygia. She’s important in Greek mythology for trying to waylay Odysseus on his way home and by wanting to marry him. Anyway, she’s a nice (Titan?) person and falls in love with Percy. I really liked what Percy said about her as he said goodbye, calling her his biggest what if.
- Kronos/Chronus and Luke. I’m not telling, but it’s pretty darn wicked and a bit scary. I liked it a lot and I wonder how Luke is going to mess things up for Kronos in the end or if he will pull a Draco Malfoy.
Dislikes:
- Hera. Honestly, no wonder Zeus is not a god of marriage. She’s all about her perfect little family and is not happy to have anything or anyone not fit in just so.
- How many times this novel had someone say to the questing kids “you know the answers… just think about it.” Really irksome.
- Ethan – Evan – whoever he is, Jesse Bernstein does this super awesome voice for the guy but the character’s a nimrod. He’s the son of the god Nemesis and literality is the last piece of the puzzle.
- The Triple G Ranch pit-stop on the way to find Hephaestus' workshop. Flesh eating horses and manure clean-up? Yummy.
Last Minute Thoughts: Nico di Angelo is growing up but at times he can be trying. I do think his powers are pretty fantastic and I feel sorry that because he’s the son of Hades he isn’t likely to be accepted by anyone. I hope he and Percy somehow cement a strong friendship.
Buy: The Battle of the Labyrinth (Audio Book)
, The Battle of the Labyrinth (Paperback)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1 - 5)
Book Rating: 4 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 2009-11-04 03:51:44.
March 4th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, A-C, Action & Adventure, Book Review, Dystopia or Utopia Societies, Guest Review, Science Fiction, Suspense or Thriller
by Second Mate Embry, guest reviewer
Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 374
Grade Reading Level: 6 – 8 Grade.
Summary: Katniss Everdeen’s sister was picked for the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games were established a long time ago when one district of thirteen tried to rebel against the capital. After squashing the rebellion, every year one boy and girl is picked from each district to go and take part in the Hunger Games, which is a battle to the death. Katniss volunteers to take her sister’s place. Will she and the boy from her district survive? Will the other kids?
Why I Started This Book:
My teacher told me about it. She said it was a really good book. All my friends who have had the opportunity to read this book have loved the book. I also like Suzanne Collins as an author. It was a no brainer to pick this book up and read it.
Likes:
- I like how the Game Makers are in control of the game. They’re there to make sure that the audience is entertained. It reminds me a bit of the Roman Coliseum and the games of the gladiators.
- The weird creatures – mockingjays, tracker jackets (kind of like wasps) with hallucinating venom, and the wolf-human tribute hybrids.
- I like the setup of the story with the districts and the capital and the games. I really love how it’s supposed to be a futuristic society but that it seems so current too.
- Suzanne Collins always ends a chapter with something exciting, gross, or foreshadowing that makes you want to immediately start the next without a moment’s hesitation. She’s really good at keeping your interest in that way.
Dislikes:
- One of the themes that Suzanne Collins writes about is war and the cruelty it imposes on children. It bothered me at first that it was kids going into the Hunger Games but the story soon sweeps you away.
- I was disappointed how the book just kind of ended. I was expecting it to continue for a while more and do some more wrap up.
Last Minute Thoughts: I didn’t want to finish the book because I didn’t have book two to start right away, but I did finish it and now I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book, Catching Fire
!
Buy: The Hunger Games (Hardcover)
, Hunger Games (Audio book)
Book Rating: 4 Treasure Chests.
Originally posted 2009-11-03 03:20:44.
March 3rd, 2010 — Guest Blog
by First Mate Keira, guest blogger.
Are you frustrated that your child isn’t interested in reading? Have you tried everything you can think of and need help? Don’t worry! You still have options. Read on for nine ways to encourage your young readers.
1. Be a reader yourself.
If you don’t read how can you expect your child to want to read? The best thing you can do is to be seen reading and reading a lot. Share your love of reading by making that love known to your kids. They will gradually become readers themselves as they see how much you enjoy it.
2. Take them with you when you go to the library.
Don’t tell them to get books, but make sure they keep company with you while you browse. Eventually, they will get bored and wander off to find something for themselves. If not, don’t worry there’s always next time!
3. Read to them.
Only do this if you’re interested in young adult fiction yourself, otherwise it will seem like a chore and that’s not the attitude you want to instill in your child. You can read to them at bedtime, on road trips, or even at school (be sure to check with the teacher first and that you sign up as a volunteer.)
4. Find books your kid will like.
Does your child have a special interest? Are they interested in space? Get books that feature it! Both fiction and non-fiction. You want them to read books with topics that appeal to them; not books that make them unhappy.
5. Encourage audio books.
If you suck at reading, encourage them to listen to audio books. Even if you don’t suck at reading, encourage audio books. Your child might be more interested in books with rich vocalizations that act out the story than trying to read it for themselves.
6. Buddy reading.
Pair up with another parent and get your kids together. Pick a spot (house, library, park, etc.) to meet and bring the books. Your kids can read side-by-side companionably, take turns reading aloud, or listen to an audio book together. Reading doesn’t have to be solitary – it can be fun and done with others!
7. Offer incentives.
Build a program with your child. Find what works for you. Think Pizza Hut Book-it program. Set a goal and when it’s met reward your child. Go out for pizza, ice cream, rent a movie, go to the movies, go to the park, have a sleepover, buy a toy. Then raise the goal a tiny bit so your young reader can grow.
8. Ban TV, Internet, and Video Games.
Take a day every week and ban TV, computer and internet time, and video games. Call it Energy Conservation Day if you want to be sneaky about it. During this time let them find ways to entertain themselves. Chances are books are going to be one of the first things that come to mind.
9. Don’t force it.
Above all don’t force reading. If you do, reading will be forever associated with bad memories. It’s like root canal that way. Be patient. Some people are readers. Some are not. Let your child find a love for books on their own in their own time. It’ll happen.
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 2009-11-02 03:01:18.
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.
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