Carol's Notebook – Page 654

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

November 12, 2009July 13, 2020 by Carol9 Comments

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrations by Dave McKean (Reading level: Ages 9-12) I just finished The Graveyard Book, and no one warned me. No one told me how attached I would become to the graveyard residents and Bod's life there that I would end up crying when Bod had to leave. A little boy's family is killed, but he escaped and wandered to the graveyard at the top of the hill. The ghosts who live there decided that he can stay and he takes the name Nobody Owens. The Owens become his parents and Silas, who is neither dead nor alive, his guardian. The ghosts are his friends and Silas his protector. He is safe in the graveyard, but no where else, as the killer is still out there. I enjoyed this a lot, more than I expected. I liked meeting all the people and reading about Bod's adventures both in the graveyard and in the real world. One of his closest...

Women Unbound Challenge

November 11, 2009November 11, 2009 by Carol8 Comments

I can't resist. I'm joining the Women Unbound Reading Challenge, reading nonfiction and fiction books related to ‘women’s studies.’ Yes, that's broad, and encompasses biographies, memoirs, essays by women, classics written by women, and topics like motherhood and body image. I'm not putting together a reading list, at least not yet, but I'm choosing the Bluestocking level, reading 5 books, at least two of which will be non-fiction. The challenge began on November 1 and will end November 30, 2010. I think this'll be it for challenges though, at least for now. To start the challenge, there were a few questions. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act? Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not? What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it...

N is for Night

November 11, 2009January 28, 2010 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...

X Marks the Spot by Margaret Hall

November 10, 2009 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...

Teaser Tuesday

November 10, 2009January 28, 2010 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.....

Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola

November 9, 2009November 9, 2009 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...