Monthly Archives: July 2018

July 31, 2018 · 7:21 pm

Capturing Jasmina by Kimberly Rae

Ten-year-old Jasmina and her brother are sold into slavery by their father. Jasmina manages to escape only to be captured again by another human trafficker. When she runs away, she ends up on the street until she spots a group of women who don’t seem like they belong and Jasmina’s curiosity pushes her to follow them.

I read Capturing Jasmina very quickly because I could barely put it down (and it is pretty short). I was invested in the character of Jasmina and really cared about what happened to her. Because it is aimed at a younger audience, it treats sex trafficking and prostitution delicately and in a very age-appropriate way. I highly recommend this book to teens.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 90
Pages Read in 2018: 21,050
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Filed under Realistic Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Fritz

July 31, 2018 · 7:06 pm

Why Dinosaurs Matter by Kenneth Lacovara

Like all TED Books, Why Dinosaurs Matter is meant to be read quickly while also being packed full of information. Dinosaurs have always fascinated people and this book takes you on a brief tour of some dinosaurs, including Dreadnoughtus which was discovered by the author. It details what happened after the meteor hit in the Gulf of Mexico and then relates why learning about dinosaurs, and what happened to them, is important to us now. I recommend this book to anyone interested in dinosaurs.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 89
Pages Read in 2018: 20,922
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Filed under Non-Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Cameron

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July 31, 2018 · 6:56 pm

Abigail Adams: Girl of Colonial Days by Jean Brown Wagoner

Abigail Adams had an interesting life starting with the rush to baptize her because they thought she would die through becoming the second first lady and the first former first lady to later be the mother of a president. Abigail Adams: Girl of Colonial Days focuses on her childhood, telling some of the more interesting highlights. It briefly covers her later years. It’s easy and quick to read. I highly recommend this book to kids who are studying or interested in Abigail Adams.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 88
Pages Read in 2018: 20,733
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Filed under Biography, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

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July 31, 2018 · 6:46 pm

Dinosaurs in the Attic by Douglas J. Preston

Dinosaurs in the Attic is split into two parts. The first part gives an overview of the history of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The second part is a collection of random stories about some of the museum’s artifacts. The writing style is excellent. I found it hard to put the book down which is quite unusual for me reading a nonfiction book. It made me want to go visit the museum one day (which I just may be able to arrange very soon during a long layover in NYC on my way to Ireland). I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes of museums.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 87
Pages Read in 2018: 20,541
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Filed under Non-Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Fritz

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July 24, 2018 · 5:39 pm

The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox

Jessie is kidnapped and put on a slave ship. His job is to play his fife to make the slaves dance to keep them healthy on the trip to Cuba.

The Slave Dancer shows what life on an illegal slaver in the mid-1800s was like both for the crew and the slaves. It’s well-written and hold your attention well. I highly recommend it to middle school age kids and up.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 86
Pages Read in 2018: 20,269
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Filed under Historical Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Cameron, Reason: Pre-Reading for Fritz

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July 24, 2018 · 12:16 pm

Dinosaur Detectives by Judith Bauer Stamper

Ms. Frizzle takes her students on a trip to the three periods of the Mesozoic Era. They learn about and see dinosaurs and attempt to discover what kind of dinosaur a tooth fossil came from.

Magic School Bus stories are always fun and Dinosaur Detectives does not disappoint. It’s packed with information (some slightly out of date) and jokes kids will love. I recommend this book to any kid interested in dinosaurs.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 85
Pages Read in 2018: 20,121
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Filed under Non-Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

July 23, 2018 · 4:47 pm

The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard

The Golden Age of Piracy produced legends like Bellamy and Blackbeard. It only lasted a few years and ended in some dramatic pirate ends. The Republic of Pirates somehow managed to make that exciting time boring. I learned a lot and liked that conversations and everything described came from actual records. But it was so boring. The book is extremely well-researched with copious endnotes. If there is nothing else on the subject to read, it’s good enough, but be aware that it is no page-turner.

3 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 84
Pages Read in 2018: 20,037
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Filed under History, Non-Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Cameron

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July 19, 2018 · 7:17 pm

A History of US: Making Thirteen Colonies by Joy Hakim

Spanning from 1600 to 1740, A History of US: Making Thirteen Colonies tells the story of all thirteen of the original colonies with lots of focus on Virginia. There is one random chapter about the Pueblos that doesn’t seem to belong. The book is written in a very (very) conversational tone and is aimed at kids. It is short and superficial, but makes a good addition to further study of that time period. I recommend it for kids around middle school level.

4 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 83
Pages Read in 2018: 19,632
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Filed under History, Middle Grades, Non-Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Fritz

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July 18, 2018 · 7:08 pm

Our Strange New Land: Elizabeth’s Jamestown Colony Diary, Book One by Patricia Hermes

Arriving in a New World can be scary and exciting. Our Strange New Land is the fictionalized diary of a nine-year-old colonist, covering August to October 1609 (ending just before the Starving Time). The story is mostly lighthearted, though several deaths and problems with the Natives are mentioned. It is perfect for late elementary age kids to get an idea of what life was like as an early settler in Jamestown.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 82
Pages Read in 2018: 19,470
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July 18, 2018 · 6:48 pm

Dark Enough to See the Stars in a Jamestown Sky by Connie Lapallo

Joan Pierce crossed the ocean on the Blessing and survived the Starving Time in Jamestown. Dark Enough to See the Stars in a Jamestown Sky tells her story. The author describes the conditions and feelings of the women, particularly those women who thought their husbands were lost on the Sea Venture, extremely well. I could barely put the book down even on my second time reading it (though it’s been several years since I first read it). I was really invested in the characters and what happened to them. I very highly recommend reading this book to anyone about 12 and up interested in the founding of Jamestown.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 81
Pages Read in 2018: 19,365
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Filed under Historical Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Fritz

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