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!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
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.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Swindle
By: Gordon Korman
Sixth-grader, Griffin Bing, is known as "the man with the plan". He loves to create and execute a perfectly planned idea. Griffin is also bothered by the lack of credit the adults in his community give to kids. So, when a local antique dealer swindles him out of a valuable Babe Ruth baseball card he discovered, Griffin decides to devise the ultimate plan - and steal back the baseball card!
Mrs. Senechal says:
As you know, I have read an enjoyed many books by Gordon Korman. Swindle is another great book with lots of suspense and action! I appreciated how Griffin liked to make careful plans and that he used his friends' individual talents to create a team to carry out his grand scheme. I also like that Griffin and his friends experience real problems as they attempt to complete the plan. Thanks for encouraging me to read this one, Mackenzie!
Sixth-grader, Griffin Bing, is known as "the man with the plan". He loves to create and execute a perfectly planned idea. Griffin is also bothered by the lack of credit the adults in his community give to kids. So, when a local antique dealer swindles him out of a valuable Babe Ruth baseball card he discovered, Griffin decides to devise the ultimate plan - and steal back the baseball card!
Mrs. Senechal says:
As you know, I have read an enjoyed many books by Gordon Korman. Swindle is another great book with lots of suspense and action! I appreciated how Griffin liked to make careful plans and that he used his friends' individual talents to create a team to carry out his grand scheme. I also like that Griffin and his friends experience real problems as they attempt to complete the plan. Thanks for encouraging me to read this one, Mackenzie!
A Season of Gifts
By: Richard Peck
This book is a companion to Peck's A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder. When the preacher's family moves in next to Mrs. Dowdel, they have no idea what they are in for. She claims she is not a "church person", but seems to find creative, and often secretive, ways to help the family. As in the first two books, Mrs. Dowdel knows how to create a buzz in her rural Illinois town!
Mrs. Senechal says:
I have loved reading many of Richard Peck's books, and this book was another success. I love the character of Mrs. Dowdel - I can just imagine what the family thought of her as they moved in. She seems to be strange and selfish! However, as the story goes on, the family is continually surprised by Mrs. Dowdel and eventually begins to act as her accomplices in some of her schemes!
This book is a companion to Peck's A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder. When the preacher's family moves in next to Mrs. Dowdel, they have no idea what they are in for. She claims she is not a "church person", but seems to find creative, and often secretive, ways to help the family. As in the first two books, Mrs. Dowdel knows how to create a buzz in her rural Illinois town!
Mrs. Senechal says:
I have loved reading many of Richard Peck's books, and this book was another success. I love the character of Mrs. Dowdel - I can just imagine what the family thought of her as they moved in. She seems to be strange and selfish! However, as the story goes on, the family is continually surprised by Mrs. Dowdel and eventually begins to act as her accomplices in some of her schemes!
Stormbreaker
By: Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider is only 14 when his uncle (and only living relative) dies in a car accident. Suddenly, Alex finds out that his uncle was actually a James-Bond-like spy, and his employers want Alex to take his place! With only a few weeks of training, Alex is sent to infiltrate a millionaire's computer manufacturing compound. Alex must find out if there is a secret plot in the millionaire's plan to give away free computers.
Mrs. Senechal says:
If you like spy movies and nonstop action, then this book is for you. It seemed as if Alex was barely escaping a life-threatening situation every few pages! I like the excitement of imagining a 14-year-old as a super-spy. There were a few times when some of the narrow escapes were hard to believe, but I definitely enjoyed the book. Thanks for the book suggestion, Peyton!
Alex Rider is only 14 when his uncle (and only living relative) dies in a car accident. Suddenly, Alex finds out that his uncle was actually a James-Bond-like spy, and his employers want Alex to take his place! With only a few weeks of training, Alex is sent to infiltrate a millionaire's computer manufacturing compound. Alex must find out if there is a secret plot in the millionaire's plan to give away free computers.
Mrs. Senechal says:
If you like spy movies and nonstop action, then this book is for you. It seemed as if Alex was barely escaping a life-threatening situation every few pages! I like the excitement of imagining a 14-year-old as a super-spy. There were a few times when some of the narrow escapes were hard to believe, but I definitely enjoyed the book. Thanks for the book suggestion, Peyton!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)