This or That: Survival Debate by Erik Heinrich

This or That: Survival Debate by Erik Heinrich - 32 pages

I read this book in preparation for a homeschool class I'm teaching.  While it was interesting to read, I didn't find it very helpful for my class.  It didn't give any tips or clues on how to actually survive in any of the situations.  It only gave the many ways you could "possibly" die -- some of them pretty far-fetched.  Still, I'm sure kids would enjoy reading this book.

The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones by Will Mabbitt

The Unlikely Adventures of Mabel Jones by Will Mabbitt - 290 pages

Mabel Jones has been kidnapped by pirates from a world occupied only by animals.  Now the only way home is to find the lost pieces of "X" that will open a portal back to her home.

I picked this up to listen to after finding out Will Mabbitt had written a chapter book for kids.  He is the author of my favorite picture book of this year -- I Can Only Draw Worms.  This book was hilarious.  It is narrated by Toby Jones who has the perfect tones of sarcasm and over-emoting for the story.  I will definitely be recommending this book for kids to read.

A Long Line of Cakes: An Aurora County Novel by Deborah Wiles

A Long Line of Cakes: An Aurora County Novel by Deborah Wiles - 276 pages

Emma Lane Cake belongs to a long line of traveling bakers.  Her family sets up a bakery in town and moves on once they've helped the people there.  Now they've arrived in Halleluia.  Emma's afraid to make another best friend she'll have to leave . . . and then she meets Ruby Lavendar.  Now Emma is determined they'll stay in this town forever.

I really enjoyed this book.  It was a fun family and friendship story with hints of the mystical in it.  I would highly recommend this book to kids.

The Pinhoe Egg by Diane Wynne Jones

The Pinhoe Egg by Diana Wynne Jones - 515 pages

Gammer Pinhoe has gone mad.  She is sending curses to the other dwimmer families, yet no one believes Marianne when she tells them Gammer is behind the troubles.  Meanwhile, at the Castle, Cat was given an egg that seems to be hatching.  Soon there is a baby gryphon to feed and care for.  When Cat and Marianne meet, it will set in motion events that will change the lives of everyone.

This is a book in the Chrestomanci series.  I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the series.

A Polar Bear in Love by Koromo

A Polar Bear in Love by Koromo - 164 pages

It's love at first sight when Polar Bear meets Little Seal pup . . . at least for Polar Bear.  Little Seal is convinced that he's about to be eaten.  Can this love survive? 

This manga for kids made me giggle out loud a couple times.  The multiple misunderstandings between the two characters are funny.  It's fun to watch them slowly become friends. 

The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs

The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs - 179 pages

When Lewis meets his uncle Jonathan he is amazed to discover he is a witch.  He loves watching the magic Jonathan and his friend Mrs. Zimmerman do.  But then he tries some magic of his own.  He's shocked when it works and he raises an evil witch from the dead.  Now they must somehow stop the evil witch from using a clock to bring around the end of the world.

I read this as the movie was coming out and a colleague went on and on about how it was her favorite book as a kid.  Honestly, I was not a fan.  If I hadn't determined to read it because of the movie, I would have put the book down pretty quickly and never returned to it.  I never really came to care about the characters and I didn't really think it was all that scary.

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder - 256 pages

I read all the Little House books around 2nd-3rd grade and loved them at that time.  I decided to try listening to the audiobooks after a patron was raving about them.  It was definitely interesting listening to them as an adult.  The parts I found more boring as a child -- all the description about how they did their chores and work -- was the most interesting parts to me as an adult.  I was also interested to see how they held up as they are often criticized now for their racial stereotypes.  There were a couple songs that would definitely be insulting, but it wasn't as pervasive as I thought it might be -- probably because they are in the middle of the woods and don't really encounter any other people other than their family.  I think I might continue on the with the series on audiobook.

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Boy by Megan McDonald

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Boy by Megan McDonald - 128 pages

Stink is the shortest person in his family.  He's the shortest kid in the second grade.  He's probably the shortest person in the whole world.  Then one day when he's measured, he's a quarter inch shorter.  Could he actually be shrinking?

I listened to this on audio as it was short and I was waiting for another audiobook to come in.  I actually thought it was pretty entertaining and good for a younger chapter book.  I have been recommending the Judy Moody series for years and I can definitely agree to recommending this series about her younger brother to all kids.

Magic Below Stairs by Caroline Stevermer

Magic Below Stairs by Caroline Stevermer - 202 pages

Frederick can't believe his good luck when he is chosen from his orphanage to work as a page boy in the local magician's house.  However, it looks like there is a curse on the family manor that only Frederick can see.

This book is part of the Sorcery & Cecilia series by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer.  It is a great addition to the series -- focusing on a young boy in the employ of the main characters of the series.  A great fantasy read for kids.

What Do You Say, Dear?: A Book of Manners for
All Occasions  by Sesyle Joslin  (48 pages)

Gives readers silly and a few not so silly social scenarios, at the end of each scenario the question is asked, "What do you say, dear?" The question is answered with the appropriate response.

What To Do When Your Mom or Dad Says...
What Should You Say, Dear?
by Joy Berry  (48 pages)

This book is geared toward children in kindergarten thru second or third grade.  It covers introductions, starting a conversation, ending a conversation, conversation guidelines, asking and answering questions, giving and receiving compliments, and saying no and excuse me.

The Unlucky Lottery Winners of Classroom 13 by Honest Lee & Matthew J. Gilbert

The Unlucky Lottery Winners of Classroom 13 by Honest Lee & Matthew J. Gilbert - 120 pages

Classroom 13 has won the lottery and their splitting the money between them.  But will their lives be better . . . or worse?
This was basically a collection of short vignettes about how buying things doesn't make you happy as all the characters lost their money and things they bought.  I wasn't hugely impressed with the story, but it did pass the time.

Camp Half-Blood Confidential by Rick Riordan

Camp Half-Blood Confidential:  Your (Real) Guide to the Demigod Training Camp by Rick Riordan - 168 pages

This guide, "written" by Percy Jackson and his fellow demigods, introduces new kids to Camp Half-Blood.  It's a collection of tour guide descriptions of spots around camp along with stories about the various activities, places, and people.  It is definitely only for those who have previously read the Percy Jackson books.

For Magnus Chase -- Hotel Valhalla by Rick Riordan

For Magnus Chase -- Hotel Valhalla: Guide to the Norse Worlds by Rick Riordan

This is a guide to the gods, goddesses, and creatures that make up the Norse worlds.  It is a fairly good introduction to Norse mythology for anyone whether they have read the Magnus Chase books or not.  However, there are some inside jokes that will make a lot more sense to those who have read the books.  It was an interesting audio to listen to.

Scary School by Derek the Ghost

Scary School by Derek the Ghost (aka - Derek Kent) - 258 pages

Derek the Ghost is going to give you the inside scoop about Scary School -- a school for monsters and regular children.  This is an exciting year as Scary School has been selected to host the Ghoul Games.  But there's a new twist this year.  The winners of the Ghoul Games gets to eat the losers. . . .

This is the first book in a series by Derek Kent.  I thought it was pretty good book.  I enjoyed the various students -- monsters and regular kids.  I will definitely recommend this to kids at the library.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander - 42 pages

With the new movie coming out this next weekend, I decided to read the book that inspired it.  For me, the most interesting parts were the "written in" comments by Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Yotsuba&!, v. 1-2 by Kiyohiko Azuma

Yotsuba&!, v. 1 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 232 pages
Yotsuba&!, v.2 by Kiyohiko Azuma - 200 pages

Yotsuba is a small green-haired girl with an exuberant outlook on life.  She has recently moved to a new city with her "dad" and now has three sisters as her next door  neighbors.  The book tells short, simple stories of Yotsuba and her interactions with her neighbors, dad, and new world.

This manga would definitely be appropriate for kids and younger teens.  Yotsuba is very innocent and the stories reflect that.  It will be interesting to see if later volumes reveal her past and background.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - 309 pages

I recently saw the first Harry Potter movie at the symphany with the orchestra and choir doing the soundtrack along with the viewing.  It was amazing!  This inspired me to re-read the first book as I haven't read it in about seven years.  I decided to listen to it on audio as I love the narrator Jim Dale who read the book.  It was a great listen.  I loved Jim Dale's voices for the different characters -- although I was surprised by how much I identify the characters by their movie actor voices.  You can definitely tell the first book is a children's book.  The writing style and plotting are definitely for children.  I think I might listen to the rest of the series on audio.

Eureka! The Most Amazing Scientific Discoveries of All Time by Dr. Mike Goldsmith

Eureka! The Most Amazing Scientific Discoveries of All Time by Dr. Mike Goldsmith - 96 pages

I read this book for a homeschool program I did at the library.  I don't usually care for nonfiction -- science in particular -- but this was pretty interesting.  It highlighted about 20 scientific discoveries giving information about the scientist and the science.  It was written in a very conversational style without a lot of scientific jargon so it was easy to understand.  A great science book for kids.

Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard by Jonathan Auxier

Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard by Jonathan Auxier - 444 pages
A Peter Nimble Adventure

Sophie Quire's life changes the day she tries to save some books from being burned.  It brings her to the attention of the city Inquisitor Prigg who is trying to get rid of all "nonsense".  It also brings Peter Nimble into her life as he rescues her from Prigg and then asks her help in repairing an old book.  That old book will lead Sophie and Peter on an adventure to save the world.

This is the second Peter Nimble book and it was just as good as the first one.  I really enjoyed reading on how Peter's life has changed since regaining his sight.  I also enjoyed the introduction of the new character Sophie.  I hope that further adventures are written for both of them.