Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look

Part [boy] Clementine,
part Scaredy Squirrel, Alvin
guarantees some LAUGHS!



[This would be a great read-aloud...]

H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education

H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden

Charming "villains"; but
Little Shop of Horrors twist
almost makes it tank.

[Still...I will definitely read the next one! The characters were well done...the plot...well, judge for yourself.]

The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart

Reviewku:

Though reminiscent
of Snicket, Benedict kids
cleverly solve clues

[and save the day, of course! definitely worth all 486 pages...]

The Underneath

The Underneath, by Kathi Appelt

I didn't cry, and I don't know if it was because I finished it on the T, or was lifted by the thoughts of more adventures to come. I'm not usually one for fantastical stories with animals as main characters, but this one had a mix of reality and legend that sometimes took my breath away. I'm not sure it will live on in my mind up there with Where the Red Fern Grows (as I read it was compared to, which compelled me to get this book Right Away) - but there was a hound, and kittens, love and loss, and words that were put together in ways that will make this story hard to forget. Newbery?

The Sea of Monsters

The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan

The second book in the Percy Jackson series does not disappoint! Not as amazing as The Lightning Thief, but I do look forward to reading The Titan's Curse! Who knew a Cyclops could be so lovable?

Cabinet of Wonders

Cabinet of Wonders, by Marie Rutkoski


I'm excited to read the next installment of Petra's adventures! Having had a slight obsession with Peter Sis and his Prague-themed picture books, as well as Philip Pullman's fantastical worlds (think Clockwork, too!) I was totally sucked in. Characters are well fleshed out, and I am already invested in finding out where the story will go next . . .

Reaching for the Sun

Reaching for the Sun, by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Reviewku:

blooming poetry-
josie's lack of "perfection"
finds a friend; a voice.



[heartfelt and sincere - but i still wanted it to be better, _sigh_]