Book review: The Family Under the Bridge

The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think that this book is a good way to help kids understand that people who are homeless aren't necessarily there because they are lazy and teaches them to respect All types of people. I know it did for me.  I loved this book growing up.

Armand certainly is lazy, though, and so that adds another layer to the story.  It is nice, too, to see him grow up and change.  I love that quote, "It is never too late to be what you might have been." by George Eliot.  Armand's character illustrates this well.

We read this with our four year old over the course of... maybe a month and a half. He was SO bored.  So... maybe for older kids that can understand deeper concepts and don't need a lot of humor and action, this would suit.  Little ones? Not so much.

Also, this book is set at Christmas, so if you are looking for a novel to read with your kids at Christmas time and want to try something different, this might be a good one to read.

Not a waste of time!!!

Book Review: Chicken Cheeks

Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

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This is what counts as great Children's literature nowadays?! What happened to authors like Audrey Woods? Those were books worth reading. This book was up for a Beehive Nomination... really? This whole book is just a bunch of illustrations of the rear ends of animals and 'cute' little rhyming or alliteration with animal names.

This is the kind of 'literature' we want shaping our children's minds? Not me. I don't believe we have to buy into the message that our children will only be entertained by crude humor. Not a book I would own and not a book I care to have my kids to read.

Where's the story? Where's the moral? Where are the things that make a children's book something that will stretch and shape one's future? I remember a lot of the books my mother read to me as a kid and I agree with that quote in "You've Got Mail" about how the books we read as children stick with us in a way that no other reading in our lives does. If that is the case than I feel it is imperative that I make sure my children are exposed to quality literature from the get-go.

I know it sounds harsh... but I couldn't get behind this book's concept.

Waste of time - waste of money.

Book Review: Chicken Cheeks

Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black


My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Seriously. this is what couts as great children's literature nowadays?! What happened to authors like Audrey Woods? Those were books worth reading. This book is up for a Beehive Nomination... really? This whole book is just a bunch of illustrations of the rear ends of animals and 'cute' little rhyming or alliteration with animal names. This is the kind of 'literature' we want shaping our children's minds? bah. Lame and ridiculous. Since when do we have to buy into the message that our children will only be entertained by crude humor? Not a book I would own and not a book I care to have my kids to read.


Waste of time - waste of money.




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Book Review: The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A story about a girl trying to find her place in a family full of stand-outs. A girl trying so hard to fit in at school that she can't be happy and learning that just being who you are -- and owning it makes life so much better and easier.


It's so cute. I had fun reading this book and think you might to. It's about an eighth grader. Usually I think books are written for a younger age group than the characters are (ie junior high characters are interesting to elem. kids and high school characters are interesting to middle schoolers) but I actually think this book would suit middle schoolers well.


NOT a waste of time.




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Book Review: The Candy Shop War

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was impressed with this book. I wasn't sure what to expect or whether I'd really like it.

This book was not as quick a read as I thought, but it was entertaining and exciting the whole way through. I can't even recall any parts that seemed to drag -- which is a good thing!

As far as it goes... I'm not sure I'd really consider this a children's book. It's not as dark as Harry Potter 5 and 6 but it is darker than I thought it would be.

The whole premise of the book is that wizards can't use magic because it works best on children so they exploit children to further their cause. Which means they are okay with asking kids to do some really dangerous or bad things.

I don't know that this would be a book I'd let me little ones read -- but maybe preteens.

It's clean as far as language and what-not goes and it is entertaining but thematically I think it should be read by an older children's audience.

If you are looking to read it for yourself I think you'll enjoy it. It isn't a quick read, like I said, it is fast paced and fun. The characters are fun, though there's not as much characterization as I might like. You don't really feel at the end of the book like you know all the main characters well. And sometimes I got them mixed up with each other because they didn't stand out individually.

Not a waste of time!



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Fablehaven Review

Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Since this is the final book in the series I will briefly review the whole series here.

Enjoyable? Definitely. Gripping? Frequently. Would I read it again? Surely.

Here's the thing. I am convinced that a lot of contemporary male authors can't truly write a love story. I realize that this series is sort of a children's series, but it is also a YA series in my eyes. Kendra's 15. I don't know what it would really be classified as. I was as disappointed with the love story in the Pretties and Uglies series.

At times I got very hopeful to see Kendra find love. I know, I know. Idealistic and irrelevant. But not in my eyes. I am a romantic TO THE CORE and love a good love story. Overcoming challenges, loving someone no matter the difference (expect for like more than 10 years apart in real life)... etc. I love it. I eat it up. I gobble it and want more. So after a few potential interests were added to the story starting in the 2nd book I got very hopeful. It was sad when Kendra was betrayed but really I was not attached seeing as no time was spent on the development of the relationship. Whenever Kendra was having something develop with a character it was usually seen through Seth's eyes so there was no detail, no excitement, no "will he won't he"... And in the end there was sort of a love story (lacking many details and excruciating bits) though it was left on a note of friendship that Kendra felt deep down would grow into something more and remain. I am glad he said it... at least it offers some closure... but not enough.

That being said for the romantic in me...

The action was awesome. The book well written except for a few parts where the larger words seemed forced into the book. (Which isn't necessarily a bad thing since I am all for getting kids to read books with big words so they'll understand them and incorporate them into their vocabulary.)

It just... read awkwardly at some points. But that's okay.

I stayed up too late multiple nights to finish the series. With every book I was draw in, nervous, excited, and definitely entertained.

Very glad I gave the series a chance. It was surely worth the time it took to read.



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