Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Phillipa Fisher's Fairy Godsister
Hola! Next up is Phillipa Fisher's Fairy Godsister, by Liz Kessler. Phillipa Fisher is a normal girl with abnormal parents. They dance in the kitchen, don't care about homework and drive a rather unusual car. When Phillipa's best friend moves away to live on a ranch, Phillipa is plunged into despair. Then, one day Phillipa picks a seemingly special daisy, and her life turns around. This book really makes you wonder what would really happen if your wishes came true, and makes you not take your family for grated so much, even with all their quirks. I really enjoyed this book, but it is hard to stand by and watch the characters do things that you really don't want them to do! Although it is written in the same style as the Emily Windsnap books it is an interesting take on the "be careful what you wish for" stories. Three and a half stars.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Mythology
Hola.... some very classic stories are held in Edith Hamilton's Mythology. A collection ancient Greek myths, from Echo and Narcissus to the Golden Apple. The reason I got interested in this book was because of Percy Jackson (DUH!). And then this summer my family and I went to Greece, it was really cool to see the land where these fascinating stories took place. And it was really awesome to see one of the Ancient Wonders of the World, the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. These myths also translate to many other ruins, such as the Elgin Marbles (saw those in London), the Parthenon (dedicted to Athena, patron goddess of Athens), and so many others. I don't recommend this book to people who are known to drop books if they get boring. But, if you are willing to stick it out, you won't regret reading it. Three and a half stars!
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Hola, The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. In this book, many children answer the call of an interesting news article asking for gifted kids. After going through three very strange tests only four children are left. Kate, an extraordinarily athletic girl; Constance, a very.... creative...? little girl,; Sticky, a speed-reader with a photographic memory (He is a boy); and Reynie, who is simply a problem solver. These kids are soon sent on a secret mission to infiltrate an evil school run by the malicious Mr. Curtain. Full of incredible characters and interesting problems The Mysterious Benedict Society is a truly great book for people looking for a new twist on the classic kid-spy story. Four stars!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Tale of Emily Windsnap
Hola. The Tale of Emily Windsnap, by Liz Kessler. I have already done one of the books that are later in the series, but you have to have a beginning. Emily Windsnap, a seventh-grader who lives on a house-boat but can't swim. When she starts taking swimming lessons at her school, the truth comes out, she is a mermaid. Well, not all of the time, while on land she has legs, but when in the water....... she has a tail. With this realization, many questions arise, such as, why did her dad, (a mer-man,) leave? As the world of the mer-people becomes clearer, so their problems. Even with a simple, straightforward voice telling the story, it is very entertaining. Three and a half stars.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Land of the Green Ginger
Hola, what do you think about Land of the Green Ginger, by Noel Langley? In this quirky novel, Aladdin is now the Emperor of China. He has a son, who talks much too much for his own good. As always, Aladdin's genie in the lamp tells Abu Ali (the son...) that he has to find the Land of the Green Ginger and turn the magician there back into his human form. (Since he accidentally turned himself into a Button-Nosed Tortoise.) Along the way, Abu Ali meets the girl of his dreams and competes with the two other ridiculous suitors for her hand in marriage. This book is very entertaining, while giving you the strange sensation of looking in on some other person's dream. In all, it is a good departure from the usual "knight in shining armor" story. Three and a half stars!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Emily Windsnap and the Siren's Secret
Hola! I am SOOOO sorry that I have not been on here for so long! I have been on a trip, so I didn't have much time! I think that Emily Windsnap and the Siren's Secret, by Liz Kessler is a good place to restart my blog. If you have read the other books in the series, (Which I hope you have, they are worthwhile,) it is pretty much the same feeling in all of them. Emily gets sent on some outrageous mission by Neptune. This time, it is bringing together the mer- and human-worlds. A rather mellow adventure ensues, with Aaron and Emily finding powers they never knew existed and some very crafty Sirens. The end is satisfying enough, although it does hint that it was the final book in the series. If you are looking for a book that has some adventure but little thrill, Emily Windsnap and the Siren's Secret is a good find. Three stars.
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