The Lost Years of Merlin by T. A. Barron

by Carol1 Comment
The Lost Years of Merlin by T. A. Barron When we bought this, I really had no idea what it would be like, but my daughter had a minor Merlin obsession at the time, so we picked it up. I was pleasantly surprised. The story starts off with a boy, Emrys,  washed up on shore with no memory of who he is or where he came from. The woman who is with him, Branwen, claims to be his mother, but never tells him anything personal or anything about their past, so Emrys is suspicious of her claim. As he gets older, he develops unusual powers. The turning point in the book is when, in defense of Branwen, he uses those powers to kindle a fire, almost killing another person and blinding himself. As he is healing, he learns to use his "second sight" instead of his eyes. At the age of twelve, Emrys sets off alone to find the truth about who he...
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Penny and Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery by Jennifer Swanson, with Giveaway

by Carol20 Comments
Penny and Rio: The Locked Doghouse Mystery by Jennifer Swanson Amber and I enjoyed the first Penny and Rio mystery, so when Jennifer contacted me about reviewing the second, I was thrilled to agree. Penny and Rio are on another case. Squeaky, a mouse, has a treasure. The problem is the treasure is in a locked dog house and Squeaky can't get in. With the help of a new friend, Penny and Rio find a solution. You'll have to read the book to find out what Squeaky's treasure is, though. This was just as cute as the first. The dogs try several plans before they actually manage to get into the doghouse, emphasizing team work and perseverance. The importance of friends and family is also shown, with Penny and Rio realizing that even though they are different, being sisters is special. This is a good one to read aloud or for elementary readers just starting on short chapter books. It's fun and talking animals...
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Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

by Carol6 Comments
When we were at the movies last weekend, we saw the preview for Where the Wild Things Are, which looks absolutely gorgeous. Just from the tidbits shown, I feel like the movie is going to stay true to the feeling of the book and I'm really looking forward to it.  Of course, I had to go back and re-read the book, for the umpteenth time. We used to read it a lot when Amber was younger and I do think it's a classic that should be in every child's personal library. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Max, a little boy, gets in trouble and is sent to his room by his mom without dinner. In his room,  he goes on a fantastic journey to where the wild things live. He becomes king, but eventually decides he want to come home. When he gets back to his room, his supper is waiting for him. I love this book. The pictures are...
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From Amber’s Sketchbook

by Carol6 Comments
I'm showing a clay piece again this week instead of a drawing, but there's a reason. Amber had to turn in her first book report for the year this past week. She had to read a non-fiction book, which she loves, and she chose to make a model as her project. It's a pink dolphin, which I didn't even know existed when I was Amber's age (9). Amber really enjoyed the book she read, Encantado, which I've included below. She learned a lot, not just about pink dolphins, but also about other animals of the Amazon and the culture and customs of the people who live there. Encantado: Pink Dolphin of the Amazon  by Sy Montgomery Publisher's description: Welcome to a forest filled with water. In the wet season, the swollen Amazon becomes a looking glass into another world, where pink dolphins swim like something from a dream. In Peru they are called bufeo colorado—the ruddy dolphin. Their color ranges from white to gray to a vivid...
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The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

by Carol1 Comment
The Fairy Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm, Book 1) by Michael Buckley Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are orphaned after their parents mysteriously disappear. They jump from foster home to the orphanage, to a new foster home and back to the orphanage again. Finally, their Granny Relda claims them and has them brought home to Ferryport Landing. Through the first part of the book, Sabrina is convinced that the old lady is crazy and not even their grandmother. After all, their father had told them their grandmother was dead and Relda herself goes on about giants and sprites and has a room that no one is allowed in to. Relda claims that the Grimms have been writing about real events for years, events that others refer to as fairy tales. Eventually, though, Sabrina has to admit that all the stories are real. Ferryport Landing truly is populated with all the fairy tale creatures you can think of: the three little pigs, giants, Prince Charming,...
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The Turkey’s Treat by Marie Sanderlin Metroke

by CarolNo Comments
The Turkey's Treat by Marie Sanderlin Metroke, illustrated by Victor Guiza It's four days before Christmas, and young Jeff Watson just wants the perfect holiday - tree, turkey, and snow covering the ground. Mother Nature takes care of the weather, but the Watson family still has a lot to do before the big day. Picking out a turkey is at the top of young Jeff's list. But he never imagined the tasty dish would be one that talks back! Follow Jeff and his delightful family as they find that selecting a Christmas turkey is a lot more difficult when you have to catch it yourself. The uproarious hijinks that follow land Jeff in the emergency room - and bring the family closer together. But when he gets a hold of his feathered friend, Jeff might find the plucky gobbler is just too adorable to put on a plate. Through it all, Jeff discovers the true meaning of Christmas is about more than just...
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