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Review: When Did You See Her Last by Lemony Snicket

By Kasey | May 20, 2015 - 7:00 am |January 9, 2017 Book Review and Content, Clean Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

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When Did You See Her Last?
Lemony Snicket
Little Brown

In an account of his second “wrong question,” detective’s apprentice Lemony Snicket investigates the disappearance of a young brilliant chemist. With the help of his wacky chaperone, an aspiring journalist and two boys who work together operating a taxi, Snicket uncovers a tangled plot stretching far beyond the simple disappearance of a girl. Far away, his sister faces her own trials, and Snicket laments not being able to help her. Could it all be connected to the vicious Hangfire and his evil plot?

Once again, author Lemony Snicket charms readers with tongue-in-cheek narrative and a hilarious cast of characters. Snicket challenges readers’ vocabulary by including complex words and often defining … Continue reading →

Review: Between Shadows by Kathleen Cook Waldron

By Kasey | April 4, 2015 - 9:30 am |May 31, 2016 Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Clean Fiction, Contemporary, Middle Grade 8-12

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Between Shadows
Kathleen Cook Waldron
Coteau Books

When his grandfather dies unexpectedly, Ari and his remaining family gather at the cabin deep in the woods. At the reading of the will, another surprise greets Ari, his dad and his aunt: Grandpa left the cabin and all his land to Ari. Uninterested in the remote property that conjures painful memories, Ari’s dad and aunt make plans to sell everything. Ari is determined to change their minds.

Author Kathleen Cook Waldron brings to the story her own experience living in the bush. The details of the cabin and surrounding land and community are told in vivid detail so that even the most urban readers can perfectly picture the serene woods, playful stream and peaceful lake.

Through Waldron’s clean storytelling, we … Continue reading →

When Wings Don’t Mean Freedom: Review of Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

By Kasey | March 14, 2015 - 11:49 am |May 31, 2016 Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Paranormal, Romance

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Nightbird
Alice Hoffman
Random House Children’s

Twig Fowler and her family return to her mother’s hometown after a childhood spent in the city. Her mother insists that she keep no friends and remains alone, holed up on an apple orchard baking pies and other goods to be sold in town. Twig’s brother James also chafes at the isolation. He only comes out at night, when no one will see the long wings sprouting from his back.

When rumors of a monster stir up the townsfolk, Twig begins to panic. If a search is called for, her brother might be discovered. It might be easy to stay hidden if it weren’t for Twig’s new neighbors, a family with two girls near her age. One late night Twig spots James and … Continue reading →

Review: A Plague of Unicorns by Jane Yolen

By Kasey | February 18, 2015 - 7:00 am |October 19, 2017 Book Review and Content, Christian World-View, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12

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A Plague of Unicorns
Jane Yolen
Zondervan/HarperCollins
Published December 3, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

A failing abbey’s one hope is the golden apples in its orchard. Unfortunately, a herd of unicorns devours the apples each year. The abbot calls for heroes, but to no avail. No one can stop the creatures. When the duke’s son James is sent to the abbey for further education, he troubles all he meets with his constant questions. But his bravery and ingenuity may be just the right combination to banish the … Continue reading →

Review: Dragons at Crumbling Castle by Terry Pratchett

By Kasey | February 4, 2015 - 7:00 am |October 5, 2017 Book Review and Content, Clean Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12

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Dragons at Crumbling Castle and Other Tales
Terry Pratchett
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s
Published on February 3, 2015

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

This collection features more than a dozen stories penned early in Pratchett’s career. Readers will discover carpet people bravely journey from their homes among rug fibers to discover strange new settlements, including one high on the leg of a table. A bus travels back in time, nearly trapping its inhabitants in long ago days. A curious tortoise escapes his lawn and saves woodland creatures from a deadly snake. An enterprising young lad teams up with a wizard to rid a castle of its dragon inhabitants.

Each … Continue reading →