Alice's Adventures in Wonderland/ Lewis Carroll/ 96 pages

         In this classic novel, Alice finds herself to have fallen down a rabbit hole into a very interesting land. Here she meets many well know characters as well as stumbles into many unusual situations. This was a fun story that quickly moved from one adventure to the next.
         Glad I finally was able to get around to reading this story and I am eager to see how the series continues. I just adored the dialogue at times and had a good time just absorbing the story. It is one that you just have to go with the flow of things because it takes away from the enjoyment if you ponder and question "why?" too much.  Definitely would be a great read-aloud.

Blood of Olympus / Rick Riordan / 502 pages

This book was a fitting end to the Blood of Olympus series.  All of our favorite characters are back and all of their storylines are mostly resolved.  We find out more about several of the characters as they deal with the ghosts of their past, before coming to Camp Half-blood or New Rome.  As always when finishing one of Riordan's books, I wanted more from each of the characters, but perhaps they will make appearances in the next series coming out next year.

Vanishing Violin / Michael D. Bell 329 p.

The Red Blazer Girls are back with their second mystery.  Margaret, a super violinist, is offered a fab violin if she can solve the puzzles and clues.  Sister Bernadette hires the girls to find out who is sprucing up their high school.  And the RBG have to solve the crime of the stolen violin.  The violin disappears while under lock and key and security alarms.  Only a button is left at the scene.  Only later do the the RBG's discover that the two cases are related.  And of course they have to keep up their schooling and friendships and play a trick on a classmate.  Pre-teens will have fun with the interesting puzzles.

Ivy and Bean / Annie Barrowe / 113 pages

This is a pretty good book for first and second grade girls.  The characters are seven and very believable.  I wish that they were a little nicer to other people in the book, but they certainly have personality.

The 113 pages includes black and white illustrations which were quite good in that the illustrator actually read the book and coordinated the pictures with the text.  It is a good step into chapter books with text that flows unlike the JX easy reader books where the reader knows that a lot more could be said in the story.

This is a good book to recommend to first, second, and even third grade girls.  Boys, not so much.

The Knight at Dawn / Mary Pope Osborne / 65 pgs. / Dec Challenge - Lords a Leaping

Jack and Annie use their Magic Tree House to time travel past to the Middle Ages.  Even though their journey was filled with peril, the two explored a Castle and witnessed a Royal Feast.  I like that the book is
filled with little facts like did you know that in Medieval times they ate Peacocks?!  Recommend for beginning readers K-3.

Princess Posey & the Tiny Treasure / Stephanie Greene / 85 pgs

Posey gets a new toy and can't wait to show it off to her friends at school.  However, because Posey does not follow the rules and takes her toy out during work time, her teacher Miss Lee locks the toy away in the consequences drawer. 

I like how the book shows the range of emotions that Posey feels, from angry and feeling like the situation was unjust; to understanding and remorseful.  It was also nice to see the teacher apologize for making a mistake, as I don't think kids realize that adults can make mistakes too.

My Name is Parvana / Deborah Ellis / 176 pgs

A young teen is found wandering around in the ruins of a bombed out school building in Afghanistan, and is picked up by American forces.  She refuses to speak to the soldiers even though she knows English and is put in an isolation cell for being a suspected terrorist.  The narration weaves between her interrogation and the events that led up to the school bombing.

When I picked up this book I didn't realize that it was part of a series, so many times the main character will refer to people or events that happened in other books.  While the reader can follow this story without reading the past book, you do get a sense that you missed parts that belong to the bigger picture.  Especially, since there were a few times when a side character would just show up and save the day.  It really felt like this book was a little thin on plot and was mostly trying to tie up loose ends from the other books in the series.

Still, the writing was descriptive, and I felt I got a sense of the time and place that this girl was living in.  I also loved the strength and courage that the main character Parvana shows to survive all of the things that happen in her life.  It looks like the author Deborah Ellis has been following and writing about the changes that have been occurring in Afghanistan since the early 2000's (after the fall of the Taliban); with an emphasis on women's rights in the region.  I am really looking forward to read the first book in this series called "The Breadwinner"; and Ellis has a nonfiction book called "The Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-Ending War" (2012) where she interviewed real kids living in Afghanistan and shows how current events have affected them.

Due to some discussions of torture and violence (which you really cannot gloss over when you are talking about living in a war zone) this book is probably for older "Tweens", maybe 5th grade and up.

Princess Posey and the New First Grader / Stephanie Greene / 85 pgs

There is a new girl joining Posey's 1st grade class.  Her name is Grace, she is nice and she looks like a princess; but Posey is unsure about her.  She worries that her friends like Grace more than her and won't have time for her anymore.  Will Grace and Posey become friends?  And How is Grace feeling about being the new girl in school?

The Princess Posey books are accessible for young readers.  They are right on level for my little 1st grader to read and it helps bridge her to chapter books.  Plus, the main character is likable and MUCH less annoying than Junie B. Jones.

The Candy Corn Contest (The Kids of Polk Street School, vol. 3) / Patricia Reilly Giff / 80 pgs

Richard (aka The Beast) really wants to win the Thanksgiving Candy Corn contest by guessing the correct number of candies in the jar.  Unfortunately, guesses are earned for every page a student reads in their book, and Richard is a poor reader.  While Richard is alone in the classroom admiring the Candy Corns he absentmindedly ate three pieces.  What should Richard do?  What will the teacher Ms. Rooney do when she finds out?

Aside from the dilemma of whether Richard should own up and tell the truth or try to hide his mistake, there is another very important side issue about how to be a good friend.  Richard is having a Thanksgiving sleepover, but some of the boys in the class do not want to come to his party if another certain classmate will be attending.  This can lead to great discussion about politeness, compassion, being helpful, and being a good friend.

Judy Moody predicts the future / Megan McDonald / 146 pgs.

Judy eats seven bowls of cereal to FINALLY get her free Mood Ring.  With the Ring she tried to predicts her friends and families future.  As Judy discovers the ups and downs of her fortune telling career she starts to realize that by being observant and reading people's body language and mood is a better indicator of what is going on than relying on a mood ring or magic 8 ball.

Always funny, the Judy Moody series are quick, fun reads for kids.  As a character Judy is a bit hyper and still a little to focused on herself.  These flaws are what get her into trouble and sticky situations, but I like that by the end of each book Judy learns to look outside herself and consider others' feelings and that usually resolves things.  A good lesson for kids about friendships and behavior. 

Junie B. Jones is (almost) a flower girl / Barbara Park / 68 pgs.

Six-year-old Junie B. is disappointed to find out that her aunt has asked someone else to be the flower girl at her wedding.  Junie does get the job as "alternate" flower girl, so she practices her walking and petal tossing and trying to be grown up. 
I'm not real crazy about the Junie B. Jones series, but my two girls seem to really enjoy it.  Junie is very hyper and gets in trouble quite a bit.  At least she doesn't get rewarded for her behavior and that's a good way to open up conversations with your kids about etiquette and social behavior.  I especially liked the conversation that Junie's mother has with Junie about why you don't "wish" that someone gets hurt or sick just so you can be happy.  I love it when Children's books talk about compassionate behavior. 
 

Junie B. Jones is a Party Animal / Barbara Park / 71 pgs.

Junie B. Jones is invited to her first slumber party.  Her friend Lucille lives in a very large house with lots of expensive and breakable things.  As always, the very hyper, and full of bad ideas Junie, finds creative ways to push the buttons of Lucille's prim and proper rich Grandmother.

Reckless (Mirrorworld, vol. 1) / Cornelia Funke / 394 pgs.

MY FIRST BOOK of the NEW READING SEASON!! WHOOT! WHOOT!

"Jacob and Will Reckless have looked out for each other ever since their father disappeared, but when Jacob discovers a magical mirror that transports him to a warring world populated by witches, giants, and ogres, he keeps it to himself until Will follows him one day, with dire consequences."

I think boys will like this action/adventure fantasy.  There is lots of quests and fighting to keep them engaged and the story is a bit dartk.  I only had a problem with the ending since it just wraps up quickly without much explanation.  Perhaps, things will be better explained in the next book.  Still a very entertaining story.  

In a Blink (The Never Girls vol. 1) / Kiki Thorpe / 118 pgs. / 1st in a Series!

Yay!  I remembered one more Book!  I finished reading this one to my girls the other
day. 

Four friends, Kate, Laney, Mia and Gabby are magically transported to Neverland.  They get to hang out with the fairies in Pixie Hollow and learn about fairy ways as they try to figure out how they are going to get home.  I think the characters in this book have a lot more personality than the Fairy Bell Sisters series.  The Characters had a dilemma in the story where they had to decide what is right and wrong, which is also good for young readers to think about.  The book has an open ending which really sets it up for a longer series. 

My two girls seemed to enjoy the book and really listened.  Of course they LOVE anything Disney Fairy so this was a good hook for them. 

Sylva and the Fairy Ball (They Fairy Bell Sisters) / Margaret McNamara / 101 pgs.

Another new series to spin-off of the success of the famous TinkerBell fairy.  In this one TinkerBell now has little sisters (which if you follow the Disney movies makes no sense since fairies are made from a baby's first laugh - and they are already full grown when they are "born"), who live on Sheepskeery Island until they are old enough to move to Neverland.  The sisters are named Clara, Rosy, Golden, Sylva, and Squeak and they all have one stereotypical personality trait.  Clara is responsible and rule bound, Rosy is sweet and nurturing, Goldie is materialistic, Sylva is a tomboy, and Squeak is the baby that makes up her own sounds/words.  Needless to say I was pretty bored with this book, there was no depth to the characters and the story was straightforward and predicable.  The book's narrator often address the reader, which I found jarring, but maybe it's more engaging for the kids reading the book.  However, I find Dora the Explorer, and other shows that "talk" to the audience annoying.

Perhaps, I didn't like the book since I haven't read many kids books.  My girls (ages 4 & 6) on the other hand seemed to enjoy it.  I suspect they liked it because it was pink, had nice pictures, and Tinkerbell was mentioned; (so Yay, Marketing!  You appeal to your target audience!)

Rosetta's Dress Mess / Laura Driscoll / 118 pg.

Garden Talent Fairy Rosetta loves clothes and fashion, but gets in over her head when she boasts that she can create the best dress in the upcoming Fairy Fashion Show.  The story is quick and funny and has the good message that your good friends are the ones that will stay by you and help you in a crisis; and that being humble is much better than being boastful.

Judy Moody M.D. The Doctor is In! / Megan McDonald / 151 pgs.

Another book I read to the kiddos.  I'm not a big fan of Judy Moody, but they seem to like it.  In this book, Judy's class is studying the human body.  They get to visit a real hospital and meet doctors; and they have to present something to the class for the "Human Body Project".  Judy, as usual, goes over the top which funny results.  She and her brother Stink get tonsillitis and are out of school for 7 days!!  I didn't think tonsillitis would keep a kid out of school that long, but okay.  Luckily, the book shows Judy going stir-crazy being sick and wishing she was back in school.  A good message for the kids, yea Judy!   :)

Vidia meets her Match / Kiki Thorpe / 113 pgs

Another book I am reading to the girls. This one is part of the Disney Fairies series. 

Vidia, a fast flying fairy, takes the new fairy Whisp, under her wing (ha ha).  Together, they spend their time racing each other in increasingly daring and dangerous races; in order to prove who is the fastest and bravest fairy of all.  Their final race causes a prairie fire to start and Vidia has to save the day. 

This story is about dealing with accepting a newcomer to a group and how that can stir up competition and jealously.  As with all good children's books this one shows that everyone has their own special talents and all can find a place and work together in a group. 

Ramona the Pest / Beverly Cleary / 192 pgs.

I've been reading this book to my kids.  My oldest is in Kindergarten, and I think she really enjoyed hearing about a character her own age.

This is the first in the "Ramona Quimby" series, and its all about Ramona's first year of school.  Ramona tries very hard to be good, but she has yet to learn the self control that comes with maturity.  Therefore, it leads to frustrations, misunderstandings and a lot of timeouts.  Ramona's wild imagination and good intentions makes this a fun and enjoyable read.  I also think that kids can really connect with Ramona and see that even though she is not perfect and she gets angry, frustrated, sad; it's still okay and she is still loved and accepted by her friends, family, and educators.

Judy Moody Gets Famous / Megan McDonald / 126 p

Another book that I finshed with my kids.  They really like Judy Moody since they saw the Judy Moody movie this past summer.  Yey!  Books made into Movies so kids will want to REad the Book!!!

In this one, Judy tries several things to get herself into the newspapers and hence be famous.  In the end she learns that some of the best accomplishements are not always noticed and published in the papers.  A good lesson and a fun story to read.