By: Elise Broach
James Pompaday has no idea that the pen-and-ink set he receives for his birthday will lead to adventures including art, robbery, and beetles! Marvin is one of the beetles who lives in the walls of the Pompaday's home. Using his tiny legs and James' new ink, Marvin creates an intricate drawing of the scene outside the window. James is mistakenly credited for the drawing and soon finds himself (and Marvin) forging famous drawings and trying to catch art thieves!
Mrs. Senechal says:
The author's descriptions of the beetles' day-to-day life were very imaginative - I could just picture the beetles using the tiny leftovers of human life for their own needs. Even though it seemed unrealistic for a boy and a beetle to be friends, it was fun to read about such a unique relationship. If you enjoy art (and bugs), you'll definitely life this book!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
By: Rodman Philbrick
Homer is really good at one thing - lying. And, when Homer's brother is illegally drafted into the Union army during the Civil War, Homer takes off to rescue him. Along the way, Homer's lying gets him into all sorts of trouble and even helps him out a few times. Homer also meets many interesting people - some who have bad intentions and some who are there to help him find his brother.
Mrs. Senechal says:
Homer is a very likable character. He comes from a tough, poor background but still does everything he can to try to get his brother back. The author does a nice job of weaving in realistic, historical characters that you normally don't think about at the time of the Civil War - traveling performers, a hot-air balloon pilot, a miner, and more. I also enjoyed the author's descriptions of the characters and the changing setting.
Homer is really good at one thing - lying. And, when Homer's brother is illegally drafted into the Union army during the Civil War, Homer takes off to rescue him. Along the way, Homer's lying gets him into all sorts of trouble and even helps him out a few times. Homer also meets many interesting people - some who have bad intentions and some who are there to help him find his brother.
Mrs. Senechal says:
Homer is a very likable character. He comes from a tough, poor background but still does everything he can to try to get his brother back. The author does a nice job of weaving in realistic, historical characters that you normally don't think about at the time of the Civil War - traveling performers, a hot-air balloon pilot, a miner, and more. I also enjoyed the author's descriptions of the characters and the changing setting.
The 39 Clues Book 10 - Into the Gauntlet
By: Margaret Peterson Haddix
This is the exciting conclusion to The 39 Clues series. Amy and Dan have found out that they are actually part of a secret fifth branch of the Cahill family, and it won't be enough for them to win the hunt - they're also supposed to help all of the Cahills put their hundreds of years of fighting in the past. Dan and Amy have to use all the skills they've gained as they press toward the end of this race.
Mrs. Senechal says:
I couldn't wait to read this book, and it was a great conclusion to the series! My favorite things from the previous nine books - suspense, adventure, surprise - were all there. This tenth book definitely left the door open for more Cahill stories, so I wasn't too surprised that a new 6-book series was recently announced.
This is the exciting conclusion to The 39 Clues series. Amy and Dan have found out that they are actually part of a secret fifth branch of the Cahill family, and it won't be enough for them to win the hunt - they're also supposed to help all of the Cahills put their hundreds of years of fighting in the past. Dan and Amy have to use all the skills they've gained as they press toward the end of this race.
Mrs. Senechal says:
I couldn't wait to read this book, and it was a great conclusion to the series! My favorite things from the previous nine books - suspense, adventure, surprise - were all there. This tenth book definitely left the door open for more Cahill stories, so I wasn't too surprised that a new 6-book series was recently announced.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The 39 Clues (series)
By: Riordan, Korman, Lerangis, Watson, Carman, Park, and Haddix
The 39 Clues is a series of 10 books. Nine of the books are currently available, and the tenth book will be in stores on August 31, 2010. Besides an exciting part to the story, each book contains 6 clue cards which readers can use to try to help solve the mystery by going to http://www.the39clues.com/.
The books follow Amy and Dan, two orphans raised by a grouchy great-aunt and a series of nannies, but loved greatly by their grandmother, Grace. But when Grace passes away, instead of an inheritance, Amy and Dan, set out on the hunt for the 39 Clues which are said to lead to an amazing and powerful treasure. Unfortunately, the other members of the family are on the hunt as well, and they will stop at nothing to beat each other to the final prize. Amy and Dan quickly find themselves using all their wits to escape fires, capture, and deceit while trying to get to the clues before anyone else.
Mrs. Senechal Says:
I am currently reading book 5 in the series, and every book so far has been fantastic! I love the constant action and suspense. It's also interesting to read about so many countries and famous people from history. The adventure in this book reminds me a bit of the National Treasure movies. I'm looking forward to reading the entire series - glad book 10 comes out soon!
The 39 Clues is a series of 10 books. Nine of the books are currently available, and the tenth book will be in stores on August 31, 2010. Besides an exciting part to the story, each book contains 6 clue cards which readers can use to try to help solve the mystery by going to http://www.the39clues.com/.
The books follow Amy and Dan, two orphans raised by a grouchy great-aunt and a series of nannies, but loved greatly by their grandmother, Grace. But when Grace passes away, instead of an inheritance, Amy and Dan, set out on the hunt for the 39 Clues which are said to lead to an amazing and powerful treasure. Unfortunately, the other members of the family are on the hunt as well, and they will stop at nothing to beat each other to the final prize. Amy and Dan quickly find themselves using all their wits to escape fires, capture, and deceit while trying to get to the clues before anyone else.
Mrs. Senechal Says:
I am currently reading book 5 in the series, and every book so far has been fantastic! I love the constant action and suspense. It's also interesting to read about so many countries and famous people from history. The adventure in this book reminds me a bit of the National Treasure movies. I'm looking forward to reading the entire series - glad book 10 comes out soon!
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Wanderer
By: Sharon Creech
Sophie loves the sea. She has studied the sea and sailing, and she longs to be out on the open water. Her adopted parents reluctantly let her go on a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean with her uncles and cousins. At first, because Sophie is the only girl, the boy cousins and uncles aren't sure if she'll be much help. Sophie proves that she is a valuable team member through the struggles of the trip. Through this adventure, Sophie learns more about herself and her family.
Mrs. Senechal says:
This Newbery Honor book was a wonderful read. I enjoyed that part of the story is told from Sophie's journal, and the other part is told from her cousin Cody's journal. It is interesting to see the different perspectives on the same events. The author really makes the adventure come to life, keeping it exciting and using strong descriptions to help the reader pictures the scenes. Great book!
Sophie loves the sea. She has studied the sea and sailing, and she longs to be out on the open water. Her adopted parents reluctantly let her go on a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean with her uncles and cousins. At first, because Sophie is the only girl, the boy cousins and uncles aren't sure if she'll be much help. Sophie proves that she is a valuable team member through the struggles of the trip. Through this adventure, Sophie learns more about herself and her family.
Mrs. Senechal says:
This Newbery Honor book was a wonderful read. I enjoyed that part of the story is told from Sophie's journal, and the other part is told from her cousin Cody's journal. It is interesting to see the different perspectives on the same events. The author really makes the adventure come to life, keeping it exciting and using strong descriptions to help the reader pictures the scenes. Great book!
Igraine the Brave
By: Cornelia Funke
Igraine lives in a castle with her magician parents and her brother, also a magician. But, Igraine finds magic boring - she wants to be a knight. Igraine could not have imagined how quickly she would find out just what it takes to be a knight. When her parents accidentally turn themselves into pigs, and Osmund shows up to try to overtake the castle, Igraine must use her knightly skills to help protect her family and her home.
Mrs. Senechal says:
Cornelia Funke has written one of my favorite trilogies - Inkheart. This book is a good book for someone who likes fantasy stories but isn't quite ready for the length and difficulty of reading books like Inkheart. Igraine is a great heroine, and the other characters in the book are fun and unique. I enjoyed seeing how the story would end!
Igraine lives in a castle with her magician parents and her brother, also a magician. But, Igraine finds magic boring - she wants to be a knight. Igraine could not have imagined how quickly she would find out just what it takes to be a knight. When her parents accidentally turn themselves into pigs, and Osmund shows up to try to overtake the castle, Igraine must use her knightly skills to help protect her family and her home.
Mrs. Senechal says:
Cornelia Funke has written one of my favorite trilogies - Inkheart. This book is a good book for someone who likes fantasy stories but isn't quite ready for the length and difficulty of reading books like Inkheart. Igraine is a great heroine, and the other characters in the book are fun and unique. I enjoyed seeing how the story would end!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Hard Gold
By: Avi
Early Wittcomb's family is in danger of losing their Iowa farm. So, Uncle Jesse, Early's best friend, heads west to find gold in the Rocky Mountains. After Jesse sends a letter saying he's found gold but his life is in danger, Early runs away from home. He joins a wagon train headed west. Early makes friends with a girl his age, but he faces many dangers as he tries to get to Uncle Jesse before it's too late.
Mrs. Senechal says:
This is the second "I Witness" book by Avi that I have read. Again, the author does a great job of creating interesting characters who experience important events in the history of our country. Because Early travels from Iowa to the Rocky Mountains of present-day Colorado, I recognized many of the Nebraska landmarks described in the book. Avi really shows readers the adversity and adventure that pioneers faced as they traveled west. I also thought the book had a good, though bittersweet, ending.
Early Wittcomb's family is in danger of losing their Iowa farm. So, Uncle Jesse, Early's best friend, heads west to find gold in the Rocky Mountains. After Jesse sends a letter saying he's found gold but his life is in danger, Early runs away from home. He joins a wagon train headed west. Early makes friends with a girl his age, but he faces many dangers as he tries to get to Uncle Jesse before it's too late.
Mrs. Senechal says:
This is the second "I Witness" book by Avi that I have read. Again, the author does a great job of creating interesting characters who experience important events in the history of our country. Because Early travels from Iowa to the Rocky Mountains of present-day Colorado, I recognized many of the Nebraska landmarks described in the book. Avi really shows readers the adversity and adventure that pioneers faced as they traveled west. I also thought the book had a good, though bittersweet, ending.
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