Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien

An odd book, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien is another story with anthropomorphized rats and mice.  This seems to be overdone a bit, but the story itself is interesting enough with an inventive reason as to why these mice and rats seem so human.

Leaf piece: A mother mouse and her children are in danger of losing their home (and their lives) until the wise healer mouse advises her to meet the frightful Rats of NIMH. 

B         [Story/Plot B; Characters B+; Content B; Setting B+]

Genre/Subject: Child Fiction/Fantasy; Animals

Additional Note: Newbery Award Winner: 1972; AR Level 5.1

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

Pathfinder is well done, but darkly lonely and sad, which is par for Orson Scott Card (at least in the books that I have read.)  This book has great story movement and character building, and an interesting (if slightly predictable) conclusion.

Leaf piece: A boy goes on an adventure to save his universe (a.k.a. String Theory), while discovering and nurturing hidden -and unusual- talents in himself and his friends.

A         [Story/Plot A; Characters A-; Content B+; Setting A]

Genre/Subject: Teen Fiction/SciFi

Additional Note: AR Level 6.3

Diviner by Bryan Davis

Not any better than the previous book in the series, Diviner by Bryan Davis is another disappointment.  The first book in the series is so good I’m still hoping the next books will get better.  It could happen.

 

B-        [Story/Plot B; Characters C+; Content C; Setting B]

Genre/Subject: Teen Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: Dragons of Starlight: Book 3; AR Level 5.4

Warrior by Bryan Davis

What a sad disappointment.  Warrior by Bryan Davis is typical Second Book Slump and Christian publishing house material.  The story is forced, and so is the dialogue.  Worse yet, the great action and excitement in the first book has not made its way into the second.  So much potential and it just crashed and burned.  I hope the third makes up for it.

 B-        [Story/Plot B; Characters B-; Content C; Setting B+]

Genre/Subject: Teen Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: Dragons of Starlight: Book 2; AR Level 5.4

Packing for Mars: the curious science of life in the void by Mary Roach

Stomach turning at some points but Packing for Mars: curious science of life in the void by Mary Roach is very fascinating.  Humor (the intelligent kind) is here, too!

Nutshell:  The inner workings of NASA and how they’re preparing for Mars (and have been for quite some time.)  From myths which seem real to realities that seem fantastical, this book has it!

 

A         [Information A; Flow/Organization A+; Usefulness B+]

Genre/Subject: Adult Nonfiction/Mars; Science

Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?: trick questions, zen-like riddles, insanely difficult puzzles, and other devious interviewing techniques you need to know to get a job in the new economy by William Poundstone: Adult Nonfiction

Although the riddles are a good thing to know, what I appreciated more was why they are good to know.  What do companies hope to see when they give these strange questions; what underlying motivation should I be working towards?

Nutshell: From hazings to randomly absurd questions, the balance of power has shifted to the hirers rather than the hirees.  A heads up on what you might find when looking for employment…

A+       [Information A; Flow/Organization A+; Usefulness A+]

Genre/Subject: Nonfiction/Interviews

Dragon’s Breath by E. D. Baker: Teen Fiction

Lighthearted with a few surprise twists, Dragon’s Breath by E. D. Baker is the second in the Tales of the Frog Princess.  This is a great tale about being a friend and being yourself. 

Nutshell:  To save the kingdom, Emma goes on a quest to turn her aunt’s long lost love human again.  An added twist in her adventure: when Emma hiccups, she transforms between human and frog!  Along the way she meets new friends and some new enemies too.

B+       [Story/Plot B; Characters B; Content A; Setting B+]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: Tales of the Frog Princess: Book 2; AR Level 5.3

The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker: Teen Fiction

Lighthearted with a simple story line, The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker is the fun tale that inspired “The Princess and the Frog” movie. 

Nutshell:  An unusual princess is turned into a frog when she kisses a frog she finds in the swamp.  Now the adventure really begins when she goes on a quest to turn human again.

B+       [Story/Plot B; Characters B; Content A; Setting B+]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: Tales of the Frog Princess: Book 1; AR Level 4.8

Starlighter by Bryan Davis: Teen Fiction

I actually liked Starlighter by Bryan Davis.  Normally, fiction from Christian publishing houses is sub-par, but this one actually has a great plot, characters, and pace.  I am pleasantly surprised.

Nutshell: Stories of dragons kidnapping people and carrying them to another world have been circulating for hundreds of years.  Now, with new information, a band of four try to find and bring back the Lost Ones.

A+       [Story/Plot A+; Characters A+; Content A+; Setting A+]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: AR Level 5.3

The Tale of Despereaux: being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread by Kate DiCamillo: Child Fiction

Like most well done children’s books, The Tale of Despereaux: being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread by Kate DiCamillo is saturated with real-world truths to learn from.  Dicamillo tells this story in second person perspective and draws the reader in throughout.  It’s rather enjoyable.

Nutshell:  A little mouse allows the princess to see him, and then he even talks to her!  The rest of the mice sentence him to life (a very short one) in the dungeon where the rats live.  To the characters’ surprise, his story doesn’t end there...

A+       [Story/Plot A+; Characters A; Content A+; Setting A]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy; Animals

Additional Note: Newbery Award Winner: 2004; AR Level 4.7

Player’s Ruse by Hilari Bell: Teen Fiction

Even less language and more excitement (pirates!), Player’s Ruse by Hilari Bell is the best yet in this series!  Plus, the two main characters still switch first person perspective as in the previous two books, and it works quite well for the story development.

Nutshell: Sir Michel’s childhood crush has run off and joined a traveling troupe.  While trying to find and prevent her from marrying one of the cast members, Sir Michel and his squire Fisk discover a band of pirates has been plaguing the coast.

A+       [Story/Plot A+; Characters A+; Content A-; Setting A]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: A Knight and Rogue Novel: Book 3; AR Level 6.1

Unfair Advantage: the power of financial education: what schools will never teach you about money by Robert T. Kiyosaki: Adult Nonfiction

Perhaps it’s just me, but I prefer books that don’t insult me and compare me to a monkey with his fist stuck in a tree (or just a monkey in general) like Unfair Advantage: the power of financial education: what schools will never teach you about money by Robert T. Kiyosaki does repeatedly.  That said, I quit reading midway through the introduction and decided to move on to authors who respect my intelligence.

Nutshell:  Don’t be like monkeys

F-         [Information F-; Flow/Organization F; Usefulness F-]

Genre/Subject: Nonfiction/Finances

Discussion One: Comic Books

Ok, trying something new here…

The question is “do comic books count as literature?”

As a reading advocate, my first inclination is to say yes, although I think that the definition of “literature” should be addressed first. 

If literature is defined as “great” writing, then I think most works would fall short, including most graphic novels and therefore comic books. 

However, if literature is defined as works from “a specific language, period, people, etc.”, then all writings, including comic books would apply.  (Thank you, dictionary.com for the definitions.)

I find that I lean toward the second meaning of literature, and view all writings as “literature.”  Does that mean they are all good?  Absolutely not!  But could this literature (including comic books, Nancy Drew, and “cozy” paperbacks) kindle and love of reading in an individual?  Absolutely! 

What are your thoughts/comments?  Let me know!

Great question!  Thanks Rob!

Rogue’s Home by Hilari Bell: Teen Fiction

Less language and a great plot keep Rogue’s Home by Hilari Bell from falling into the second book slump.  Plus, the first person switch between Sir Michel and Fisk carries over into this book (just like the first in the series) and provides double insight into the unfolding story. 

Nutshell:  Fisk is called home through an urgent message.  When he arrives, he discovers that his brother-in-law has been framed for murder and his family (comprised of three sisters) is suffering.  He and Sir Michel need to discover who is really to blame before mysterious fires and the town’s people push Fisk’s family out of town permanently.

A-        [Story/Plot A; Characters A; Content B; Setting A]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: A Knight and Rogue Novel: Book 2; AR Level 5.9

Wild At Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge: Adult Nonfiction

Although I am not a man, Wild At Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge seems quite insightful.  Also useful are the side comments to women who are reading the book, too.  This book is time well spent.

Nutshell:  Boiled down to its essence: every man needs a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.  Men don’t have to act tough or hide from themselves; there is another way.

A+       [Information A+; Flow/Organization A; Usefulness A+]

Genre/Subject: Nonfiction/Men; Core; Healing; Christianity

The Last Knight by Hilari Bell: Teen Fiction

A fun storytelling style: The Last Knight by Hilari Bell switches first person perspective between the two main characters.  The one negative in this story is the language.  Although there are many words created especially for her universe, Bell does not create any curse words, and instead uses those known in this universe.  Sadly, it jarred me out of the story each time her characters used them.

Nutshell: Although knights are two centuries past, self-proclaimed Sir Michel and his reluctant squire Fisk are duped into helping a murderess escape justice.  They are ordered to recapture her, otherwise they will be cast out as unredeemed.  Their quest leads them on dangerous adventures and to an interesting conclusion.

B+       [Story/Plot A; Characters A; Content C; Setting A]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: A Knight and Rogue Novel: Book 1; AR Level 6.1

Blah Blah Blah: What To Do When Words Don’t Work by Dan Roam: Adult Nonfiction

For a book about finding and ending useless speech, Blah Blah Blah: What To Do When Words Don’t Work by Dan Roam does a lot of talking.  The book started out interestingly enough, but became less so as it continued, until finally I was just glad when it was over.  Recommendation: Stick with Roam’s first book The Back of the Napkin and skip this one.

Nutshell: The world is full of blah, blah, blah.  Use the FOREST acronym to keep the ideas but throw out all the verbiage.

C         [Information C; Flow/Organization B-; Usefulness C]

Genre/Subject: Nonfiction/Speech; Pictures

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George: Teen Fiction

I could have sworn I read another book just like Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George.  The characters and story are wonderfully orchestrated, but it seems so similar to a book I’ve previously read (I can’t remember what it’s called, so if you know which book I’m talking about, please let me know.)  Otherwise, it’s a wonderful read.

Nutshell: The twelve princesses’ shoes are mysteriously worn through each morning and yet they don’t seem to leave the castle.  At his wits' end, the king offers a prize to the man who can discover why this happens and where they go each night.

B         [Story/Plot B; Characters A; Content A; Setting A]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy

Additional Note: AR Level 5.6

The Silver Crown by Robert C. O’Brien: Child Fiction

The Silver Crown by Robert C. O’Brien is quite a bit more violent than I was expecting.  Wonderful story idea, great pace, but disturbing and darker than I thought it would be.

Nutshell: Ellen finds a silver crown on her pillow the morning of her 10^th birthday.  She heads off to the park, only to turn back to discover her house has been burned to the ground, with her family inside.  The next days and weeks are a quest to find her only living relative while mysterious people try to capture Ellen and the crown.

C         [Story/Plot B; Pace B; Characters A; Content C-; Setting A]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/SciFi; Fantasy; Children

Additional Note: AR Level 5.2

Heaven Is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo: Adult Nonfiction

What a wonderful account!  Heaven is For Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo is an encouraging, and Bible-backed story.  Sure to encourage those with faith, and for those without, it’s still a great story.

Nutshell: What will heaven really look like?  Who will you meet?  Do you get to see God?  Are there angels?  These questions, along with others, are answered through a little boy’s three-minute trip to heaven and back.

A         [Story A; Information A: Flow/Organization B; Content A; Usefulness A;]

Genre/Subject: Nonfiction/Christianity; Heaven

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures; Expanded Edition by Dan Roam: Adult Nonfiction

Wow.  The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures; Expanded Edition by Dan Roam is fantastic.  Roam explains his ideas excellently and walks through each step of using pictures to solve problems.  Everyone should read this book.

Nutshell:  (click to enlarge image)

A+       [Information A+; Flow/Organization A+; Usefulness A+]

Genre/Subject: Nonfiction/Business; Solving Problems

Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray: The Uproar at the Front Door by Nick Bruel: Child Fiction + Nonfiction Excerpts

A slow beginning, but Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray: the Uproar at the Front Door by Nick Bruel picks up speed quickly.  This book is bizarre and random, but in a good and humorous way.

Nutshell:  Kitty and Puppy are left at home with Uncle Murray while the adults leave for a week, promising to bring home a surprise when they get back. 

A         [Story/Plot B; Characters A; Content A; Humor B+; Setting A]

Genre/Subject: Fiction; Nonfiction/Pets; Cats

Additional Note: Picture/Chapter Book; Bad Kitty: Book 5; AR Level 2.9

Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots by Debbie Dadey: Child Fiction

A decent book and with lots of excitement, Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots by Debbie Dadey is a fun read.  Less name calling by the characters would be nice, but otherwise it’s a good book.

Nutshell:  The third graders at Baily Elementary School are in for a surprise.  After their atrocious behavior leads their teacher to quit, someone new comes to teach the class.  Her strange accent and behavior leads the kids to believe that she must be a vampire.  But vampires don’t wear polka dots, do they?

B         [Story/Plot A-; Characters B; Content C+; Setting B]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Fantasy; Classroom; Children

Additional Note: The Adventures of the Baily School Kids: Book 1; AR Level 3.8

Heartless by Gail Carriger: Adult Fiction

Humorous and full of adventure, Heartless by Gail Carriger is her best book yet.  No more icky romance scenes, either!  I’m rather hopeful the next in the series will continue this lovely trend.

Nutshell: Alexia Tarabotti is on the vampire hit-list, a situation she finds very tiresome.  Along with working to resolve said issue, Alexia moves to town, her rather annoying sister moves in with her, and a giant contraption is on the loose in London.

A-        [Story/Plot A; Characters B; Content A; Humor A; Setting B+]     

Genre/Subject: Fiction/SciFi; Fantasy

Additional Note: The Parasol Protectorate Series: Book 4

Zero by Kathryn Otoshi: Child Fiction

Not quite as good as One, but Zero by Kathryn Otoshi still has a pretty good message in it.  Still simple design, but with quite a bit portrayed through the numbers and colors.

Nutshell:  Be yourself! You are exactly like you should be and the world is a better place for it.

B+       [Story/Plot B; Characters B; Flow A; Content B+]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Numbers; Self-worth

Additional Note: Picture book; AR Level 2.7

One by Kathryn Otoshi: Child Fiction

What a fantastic book!  One by Kathryn Otoshi is simple in design, but the message is anything but!  Artistic and articulate, this book is a must for every classroom, library, and home.  Kids and adults alike can appreciate the story and strive to follow its example.

Nutshell:  The colors are being bullied until 1 shows them a new way.

A+       [Story/Plot A+; Characters A+, Flow A+; Content A+]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Colors; Numbers; Bullying

Additional Note: Picture book; AR Level 2.2

Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry Allard: Child Fiction

One of my favorite children’s books, Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry Allard is quite entertaining.  Children love it and understand the unspoken (and funny) twist at the end.

Nutshell: The kids in room 207 are so awful, their regular teacher goes missing and she is replaced by Ms. Viola Swamp.

A+       [Story/Plot A; Characters A+; Flow A; Content A+; Humor A; Setting B]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Classroom; Children

Additional Note: Picture book; AR Level 2.7

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester: Child Fiction

There are two words to describe The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester: Bizarre and incomplete.  It has many useful ideas and morals, but the story itself is like an unfinished piece of marble; it could have been beautiful, but isn’t.  Rather sad, really.

Nutshell: From an early age, Piper has been able to fly.  Unfortunately, she is in a small rural town where individuality is unacceptable.  A government agency takes her to an underground facility, but the help they offer isn’t what it appears.  Piper struggles to be herself and help those around her as well.

C         [Story/Plot C; Characters B+; Flow C; Content A+; Setting C]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/SciFi; Fantasy

Additional Note: AR Level 6.0

Blameless by Gail Carriger: Adult Fiction

The third in the Parasol Protectorate series, Blameless by Gail Carriger is actually pretty good.  Past the second book slump, I’m curious what the fourth book will hold.  And even better, the whole story is almost completely romance void (amazing!).

Nutshell: Alexia Tarabotti seeks out answers by visiting Italy, her father’s homeland.  She discovers more about her past and lineage through this danger-filled journey.

B         [Story/Plot A; Characters B; Content B; Humor B; Setting B]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/SciFi; Fantasy

Additional Note: The Parasol Protectorate Series: Book 3

Pirate King by Laurie R. King: Adult Fiction

The eleventh book in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, Pirate King by Laurie R. King is fantastic.  It starts out slowly but makes up for it later on.  King is a marvelous writer and she has brought her characters brilliantly to life once again.  For those interested, the first in the series is The Beekeeper’s Apprentice.

Nutshell: A British film company is under suspicion when their movies seem to come to life.  Now, with a film about pirates underway, Mary is asked to go undercover and see who, if anyone, is copycatting the story.

A+       [Story/Plot A; Characters A+; Flow A; Setting A+]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/Mystery

Additional Note: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Series: Book 11

Changeless by Gail Carriger: Adult Fiction

The second book in the Parasol Protectorate series (the first being Soulless), Changeless by Gail Carriger is a typical second book: the beginnings of a new and expanded plot, additional main characters, and not as solid a story as the first.  I will say that the romance scenes are toned down, and for that I am quite grateful.

Nutshell: Vampires, werewolves, and ghosts are losing their immortality and no one knows why.  Alexia travels to Scotland to uncover the cause while an unknown assailant creates problems along the way.

C+       [Story/Plot C-; Characters B-; Flow B; Content C+; Humor B-; Setting C]

Genre/Subject: Fiction/SciFi; Fantasy

Additional Note: The Parasol Protectorate Series: Book 2