N is for Night

by Carol8 Comments
Vicki of Reading At The Beach hosts A-Z Wednesday. Today's letter is N. I read this one in May of 2008. It's actually the second in the series. The first is The Patient's Eyes. I'm a big Holmes fan and this fiction series takes a different twist on the original, with Doyle as the narrator and Dr. Bell as the model Holmes was based on. The Night Calls by David Pirie Inspired by the discovery that Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle attended medical school in Scotland with one of the 19th century's most notorious serial killers, David Pirie's The Night Calls reels out a grim but engrossing tale that suggests a model for Holmes's foremost adversary, Professor James Moriarty. A series of bizarre assaults on women in the brothels of 1878 Edinburgh draws the attention of Dr. Joseph Bell, a surgeon, charismatic teacher, and forensic expert who periodically applies his deductive skills to solving crimes. Together with a young Conan Doyle, his...
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X Marks the Spot by Margaret Hall

by Carol1 Comment
X Marks the Spot: Mapping the World by Margaret Hall (Reading level: Ages 9-12) This book traces the history of cartography, map-making, from thousands of years ago with a photo of a clay map, to modern times, discussing GPS units.  Maps have been and still are important to travelers, traders and explorers. Navigation tools, like compasses, sextants, chronometers were also described. It was really interesting and I actually learned a lot. For example, I didn't know that Ptolemy was a.) a cartographer or b.) the first to put north at the top of the map. I didn't realize that the first aerial photographs used by mapmakers were taken from hot air balloons, even though it makes sense. The history is told simply with important words in bold and defined in a glossary. The photos of maps through the ages are fascinating. I also like the list at the back of books to read to learn more. This is a great book for middle...
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Teaser Tuesday

by Carol11 Comments
Grab your current read. Let the book fall open to a random page. Share with us two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from...that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given. Please avoid spoilers! My teaser: There was a witch buried at the edge of the graveyard, it was common knowledge. Bod had been told to keep away from that corner of the world by Mrs. Owens as far back as he could remember. -pg 99, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. My copy was borrowed from the library. I am an Amazon Associate.....
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Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola

by Carol3 Comments
Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie dePaola (Reading Level: Ages 4-8) Who doesn't love Strega Nona? This story begins in spring when Strega Nona plants her garden. O Bella Luna, smile on me, And on the seeds I sow, And let the moonbeams shine from thee, To make my garden grow. Big Anthony plants a garden, too, but keeps it a secret. He wants to prove that he can do something right, but of course his plan goes awry. At harvest, both gardens provide a bounty, although Anthony's vegetables are a little harder to pick. In the end, Strega Nona shares their harvest with the entire village. Amber (9) and I found the story is delightful and the illustrations charming. A touch of magic, being together with family and friends, the spirit of helping and sharing make this a wonderful book to read aloud with a child, especially at this time of year. My copy was borrowed from the library and the above is my honest opinion. I am an...
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Mailbox Monday and Library Loot

by Carol8 Comments
Thanks to Marcia at The Printed Page for hosting Mailbox Monday. I got one book in the mail this week, which I won in a giveaway. Whom God Would Destroy by Commander Pants (Thanks, Michele!) I picked up a couple of seasonal childrens books at the library this past week,too. Library Loot is co-hosted by Eva and Marg. Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie dePaola Thank You, Sarah by Laurie Halse Anderson What books found their way to your house?...
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Winners!

by Carol3 Comments
Congrats! You won Permission Slips by Sherri Shepherd. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. a real librarian blueviolet Melissa Dawn M. Deidre I will be e-mailing you all tonight or tomorrow. I just need your mailing address to pass on to the publisher. My copy was provided by the publisher for review. I am an Amazon Associate....
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