The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
The first time I read The Westing Game I was in fourth grade. I absolutely loved, seeing myself as a bit like Turtle. I’ve reread the book a few times over the years and it’s always just as good, even knowing what the solution to the game is. The ending is just so incredibly satisfying. I very highly recommend this book to people of all ages. It makes a fun family read aloud.
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2023: 32
Pages Read in 2023: 10,292
The Beast by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs
Just when the kids thought the Darkdeep was under control, everything goes nuts. Figments they didn’t conjure, a voice in their heads, and an actual Beast complicate their fall break and create a Halloween they’ll never forget. The action is nonstop. The story is told alternating focused on Nico and Opal. Just when I thought everything was resolving way too long before the end of the book, the situation got even worse. There were things I definitely didn’t expect and thank goodness for the comic relief offered by Colton Bridger and his Freakshow. Otherwise the book just might have been too intense (yes, I realize I am an adult and this is a kids book… I am a wimp). I recommend this book (the whole series) to children and adults alike.
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2022: 1
Pages Read in 2022: 325
Filed under Children, Fantasy, Reason: LitHub Bingo
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Have you ever wondered where good dreams and terrible nightmares come from? Gossamer answers that question in such a gentle, sweet, and slightly fanciful way. The triggers experienced and words used by the boy, John, were very well written and not surprising for a child in foster care who has dealt with the things he had dealt with. Thin Elderly was such a patient and kind dreamgiving character and was paralleled in the real world by the old woman who fostered John. I absolutely adore Gossamer. She’s so fun. I’d love for her to be my dreamgiver. I recommend this book to kids and adults, though be aware that parts could trigger kids who are or have been in foster care.
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2021: 93
Pages Read in 2021: 29,716
Filed under Children, Fantasy, Reason: I Like the Author, Reason: LitHub Bingo
The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Best School Year Ever is a cute book full of stories about the Herdman kids’ antics. All through the book, the narrator is trying to come up with a word to use to compliment Imogene Herdman for a class project and in the end discovers she must come up with way more than one, something she finds is not so hard to do. It’s a short book, excellent for reading aloud to middle grade age kids. I recommend it to kids and adults alike, particularly those who enjoyed The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2021: 92
Pages Read in 2021: 29,569
Filed under Children, Reason: LitHub Bingo
The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat by Laura Lee Hope
When I was a kid (in the 80s) I read my mom’s old Bobbsey Twins books (that she got in the 50s). The Bobbsey Twins on a Houseboat was my favorite one. I read it on my Kindle and I could’ve sworn I smelled the old book smell while I read it. Crazy how smell memories work. There are some cringy things in this book (mainly due to when it was written), but the story is fun and I still enjoyed it all these years later.
4 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2021: 89
Pages Read in 2021: 28,801
Filed under Children, Reason: We Be Book'N
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2020: 45
Pages Read in 2020: 11,979
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Filed under Biography, Children, Reason: LitHub Bingo, Reason: Vine Review
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2020: 29
Pages Read in 2020: 6856
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)
Filed under Children, Reason: Bedtime Story for the Boys
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2020: 26
Pages Read in 2020: 6177
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Filed under Children, Reason: Bedtime Story for the Boys
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2020: 25
Pages Read in 2020: 6014
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)
5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2020: 21
Pages Read in 2020: 5272
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)
Mama Reader 