Molly Moon, Micky Minus, & the Mind Machine

Molly Moon, Micky Minus, & the Mind Machine
written by Georgia Byng



I read the first few Molly Moon books when I was home sick from school a few years ago.  Turns out, I needed some mindless fluff fiction in my life, so despite being a senior in college, this is what I read today.  I wasn't expecting much, the first few books were enjoyable in a feverish haze, but not all that memorable.  But mindless fluff was what I wanted, and mindless fluff was what I got.  The animal sidekicks are always a bit much for me, but it was an interesting albeit predictable plot.  I was surprised that they didn't exactly pull an evil twin maneuver.  I think this book series would translate well into movies.  Also, if any Nerdfighters read this, evil baby orphanage, amirite?

When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me
written by Rebecca Stead



I'm often wary of books that have won awards.  They are so filled with tropes and, in my opinion, undeserving of the prestigious awards and attention they receive.  This book honestly wasn't terribly different, other than one major plot twist near the end.  Same old flowery descriptions, story that drags on,  "ordinary" young female narrator with missing daddy issues narrating her way through her "ordinary" life.  The twist at the end literally had me jumping out of my chair, screaming "WHAT??" in public repeatedly, but besides that, an ordinary, boring read.  I recommend you read A Wrinkle in Time instead.

I got this book from...:Chatham University's JKM Library

This Book is Not Good For You

This Book is Not Good For You

written by Pseudonymous Bosch

Bosch is back with the third installment in the Secret series, and it's a strong return! I still maintain that the first book was the best in the series thus far, but I did enjoy this one more than I enjoyed the second book in the series. The parallels between Bosch's series and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events are uncanny--both are whimsical and often break the fourth wall, with the author mysteriously inserting themselves into the plot. The book often resorts to using quirky formatting, which makes it all the more enjoyable (and might, in fact, be my favorite thing about these books). The ending definitely leaves you wanting to know more, and I'm excited to get my hands on This Isn't What It Looks Like

Also in this series:

The Name of this Book is Secret

If You're Reading This, It's Too Late

Till Death Do Us Bark: 43 Old Cemetery Road, Book 3

Till Death Do Us Bark: 43 Old Cemetery Road, Book 3

written by Kate Klise

illustrated by Sarah Klise

Have I mentioned my never-ending love for these sisters in a while? No? Well, it always needs repeated. I am a 20 year old senior in college. I was introduced to their books in the 5th grade. How is it that they are still two of my absolute favorite writers? I'm pretty sure I'm no longer in their target demographic. So, this particular series. You may recall I wasn't the greatest fan of the first book in the series. The second one was a huge improvement. And then came this. Seriously, Klise sisters, how do you do this? This surpassed any and all expectations. It's the same epistolary story pattern that the two of them have worked hard to perfect, and perfect it they have. We still have an abundance of plot twists, endearing characters with funny (and punny!) names, and in the end, a story that truly resonates with people of all ages and walks of life. Never stop, Klises, never stop.

Rating: 5/5

I got this book from...: Amazon Vine

Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony

The Lost Colony
written by Eoin Colfer



My beef with the Artemis Fowl series is big, but simple: It's not easy to understand all of the elements of the cluttered story, and therefore, the story is not very memorable. I just feel like there are some fantastic elements in every book in the series, but seriously? Colfer should have lumped them all together in one hugely fast-paced book and been done with it, instead of cranking out entirely too many [desperate-looking] sequels. Just...give the characters the rest they and the readers deserve already instead of entangling our minds and sensibilities in these strange mazes of indecipherable stories! There really does come to be a time when it's pretty obvious this is just being done for money now (especially with the new reprinted fancy covers, graphic novels, etc.). Give it a rest! I was very glad to actually see a little bit of character development in Artemis in this one, as opposed to the usual endless action. Artemis and Holly are the only characters I can bother caring about, and I liked the focus on them in this story, and would like more. I also did enjoy meeting the female Artemis Fowl and am certainly intrigued by her appearance, although it would have been great if she'd been introduced in, oh, say the 2nd book, or even earlier on. I really would like to know if Colfer has an endgame planned out. This book ended on a ridiculously intriguing cliffhanger, and for once, I'm excited to read more. Overall, probably the best book in the series, but still, a pretty weak series with the potential to be so much more.

Rating: 3.5/5

I got this book from...:Used book store

The Landry News

The Landry News
written by Andrew Clements



I have really fond memories attached to this (and other Andrew Clements) books. I first read this one in a 4th grade book club, and absolutely fell in love with Clements' ability to create realistic characters just dealing with school situations, something kids will definitely be able to relate to, since school is pretty much where they spend most of their lives. There's humor everywhere making your way through this book. It also introduces, through simple characters and their interactions and activities in the classroom, a much bigger, more sophisticated and complicated concept: censorship in print publications. Not only does the story toy with the day-to-day goings on of a classroom environment, it touches on issues like divorce and classroom politics. One of the things that I really like, as someone who is on track to become a teacher, is the demystification of a teacher's life, telling the students, hey, you know what? Your teacher's not this huge scary power figure at the front of the classroom, he/she's a human being, just like you. It's very cool to see the evolution and growth of one girl's creativity alongside the evolution and growth of her teacher. It's incredibly obvious that Andrew Clements taught, and I'm going to say that's what gave this novel its realism and appeal to such a wide audience.

I got this book from...:Swaptree

Over My Dead Body: 43 Old Cemetery Road, Book 2

Over My Dead Body: 43 Old Cemetery Road
written by Kate Klise
illustrated by Sarah Klise

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In my review of the first book in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, I didn't have many kind words for the book, and I expressed serious doubt about the integrity of this new series launched by the Klise sisters. So it was quite a strange surprise to find a sequel that I liked immensely more than its predecessor! That never seems to happen; one usually likes the first book in a series more or the same as any sequels. This book flowed much better than the first, back to the original plot-twisty heartwarming spirit that I'd come to expect from Kate Klise. Some time is given to a recap of the first book's events, which I liked very much, as it was interactive, short, and quickly led in to the fast paced story ahead. It's another tangled tale by Kate Klise, where random objects and people are introduced throughout the story, only to come together at the end for a spectacular, cheer-inducing ending. I'm re-energized and looking forward to reading more by Kate Klise.

Rating: 5/5

I got this book from...:Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Pleasing the Ghost

Pleasing the Ghost
written by Sharon Creech



I understand that this book is for younger readers, but I did feel like it was not a very well-written book. It reels the reader in with short, snappy sentences and a catchy concept--a boy who can talk to ghosts. It's an overly simplified plot, but again, just a kid's book. I did wonder, while reading, if kids would be patient enough to put up with Uncle Arvie's unique speech patterns. I was also highly unsettled in reading and seeing such a strong emphasis put on money in a children's book. That's not really something I want kids to prize... I don't know. The whole book seems rushed, unresolved, and disconnected. It's just not much of a story, but it for younger readers, so some of this would probably not be so unsettling to them. I do know Creech is capable of putting together a much better quality story for children, as she's done in the past, so I think I would just wait until the kids were a little older and let them read Creech's much better works like Absolutely Normal Chaos and Walk Two Moons.

I got this book from...:Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia

written by Katherine Paterson

My biggest issue with Bridge to Terabithia? I don't know why, but somewhere along the way as I grew up, I heard of this book, and I somehow gained the impression that it was a fantasy novel, where these two kids travel to a magical land. Granted, Jess and Leslie do travel to a magical land, they only do so through their imagination. So while I was thinking this was a fantasy novel, it is a realistic fiction one. So uh. That kind of ruined the book for me. Big time. One of the first comments I made after figuring this out is one that I have made for Newbery winners repeatedly: "Is this a popular book because kids like it, or is it a popular book because teachers like it as a tool for analysis?" Having finished it, I think one would be hard pressed to a find a child who really loved this book, and instead would find teachers who love it, because of exactly what I said. Considering that this book was read by me for an environmental lit class, obviously it's a favorite for teachers. It's a very dry book, with not much action until the very [depressing and hard to handle emotionally] end. There is some language in this book that is objectionable and has supposedly led to the book being banned, although many argue that the bannings are more for the "controversial" religious content. The foreshadowing in this book is painfully bad. I did really love hearing some of the sentiments expressed in this book, particularly Leslie's views, but in the end, not a fan of it. May Belle's role at the end of the book and just the ending in general are too convenient, and the big climax just ticks me off.

side note: See the cover? Does anyone else think Leslie looks like Luna? They are, I would say, very similar characters...

I got this book from...:Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Bartholomew and the Oobleck

Bartholomew and the Oobleck
written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss



Another childhood favorite--please tell me I'm not the only one who loved making "oobleck" out of cornstarch and water (and still do!). It's another classic Seuss story for kids to love and enjoy. This one actually doesn't contain much out of the ordinary, in comparison to other Seuss books, that is. It's humorous and the writing is pretty advanced, but still makes sense, a great highway to learning new vocabulary. The pictures are pretty neat, all black and white, except for the highlighted green oobleck, nonsensically whimsical as ever. Great for Seuss fans--I do recommend starting off with The Cat in the Hat, for obvious reasons, but I see no reason not to build upon that :)

I got this book from...:Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh