Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Really enjoyed reading this, but I'm not sure how many kids would stick with it. It takes a while for the story to set up and yes, Early is different. Would that intrigue a kid or just make him think the story was weird? I'm not really sure. I for one found Early adorable and see characteristics of a couple of the autistic kids I know in him.

I'm a bit disappointed that the surprise at the ending actually occurred. No, I won't go into more detail than that, but I remember thinking of the surprise as a possibility while I was reading. I immediately discarded the idea because I was sure that it was too predictable and something too commonly done in children's books. It did make for a better story of course, but it was the easy way out. (If you've read NE, you know what I'm talking about.)

I rate this story a solid B. It had the potential of being an A book, but my disappointment in the predictability at the ending lowered my rating.

Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper

Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper

I was looking forward to reading Ms. Cooper's latest book, mainly because I'm such a fan of her "Dark is Rising" sequence, but Ghost Hawk didn't live up to my expectations. It started well, recounting the story of Little Hawk, a Native American boy, growing up at the time of the first English settlers in what is today New England. (I thought that part was fairly interesting, but now that I've read Debbie Reese's review, I find that it's not all that accurate of the Native Americans of the time. ::sigh::)

Once the first part was complete, that's where the story bogs down, in my opinion. I know the dialogue was meant to show the formality of the language of the time, etc., but I think students will find that difficult to read. It will take them out of the story, and that's definitely NOT what you want. Taking that one minute dissatisfaction out of the equation, I thought the story was beautifully written. The vividness of the descriptions and richness of the language were all that you would expect from one of Ms. Cooper's books.

When I finished the book, I thought, "Boy! That was a waste!" So as to not give any spoilers, let's just say I was completely dissatisfied with how the story proceeds and especially the conclusion of parts 3 and 4! One of the things that I enjoy most about reading children's and YA literature is the sense of hope for the future that I see in them. It can be a story of heartbreak, sorrow, of the most horrible things imaginable, but it will still leave you with a sense of joy, of hopefulness. That the future is bright and life will only get better. I didn't get that with Ghost Hawk, and that saddened me.

I can see where many adults read and rave about Ghost Hawk, but I won't be one of them. I wish I could give it a higher rating, but sadly a D+.

Seize the Storm by Michael Cadnum

Seize the Storm by Michael Cadnum


Susannah, her cousin Martin, and her parents are sailing to Hawaii when they come across an abandoned (they think) boat. On it they discover two dead men and a bag full of money -- $800,000 worth of money. What happens when the associates of the dead men show up could possibly doom them all.

This book had so much potential, and then blew it. I love the format -- short chapters filled with tons of suspense, leading to thrilling action. I just didn't like the characters... none of them. I wanted to be able to root for a good guy, but there wasn't a good guy. All of the characters were flawed and seemed to make terrible decisions. If there had been a point where they realized the poor decisions and regretted them, then maybe I would have liked it better. I don't feel like anyone redeemed himself in the end. I'll be interested to read what others thought of this book, because right now, I wouldn't recommend it to others. D rating.

Book Read : Jungle Force (Jungle Kill) by Jim Eldridge

Mitch joins a Black Ops unit and goes on a super-secret mission to free a kidnapped political leader in West Africa. Being the newbie to the unit, Mitch hopes to gain the trust of his fellow soldiers while using his language expertise on the mission. When Mitch defies his superior's orders, will he be allowed to stay in the unit?

This high energy, action-packed adventure will appeal to reluctant readers. Featuring short, episodic chapters, the reader will be fully-immersed in the story before realizing it. Even though the story is violent, the author didn't capitalize on the gore factor. The characters do use their weapons to battle the enemy which does result in some deaths, but none are described in too much detail. Yes, there are some plot holes and huge questions regarding Mitch's past, but I knew before starting this story wasn't intended to be top literature. I can see many a reader enjoying Jungle Kill. I give it a C.

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter (Gallagher Girls #3)

The third in the Gallagher Girl series finds Cammie helping to save her friend Macey from an apparent kidnapping attempt while at Macey's father's political convention. (He's the vice presidential candidate.) Enter Cammie's elusive Aunt Abby (a Gallagher Girl herself) who's been pegged to be Macey's Secret Service protection while back at school. Little does Cammie know that there's much more to the kidnapping attempt than first meets the eye. And why does Zach seem to show up at just the right moment again and again?

For those that enjoyed the first two in the series, this is a must-read. Little is shown of the girls' junior year classes, for much of the story takes place outside of Gallagher Academy. With the introduction of Aunt Abby, the reader catches a glimpse of what Cammie's dad was like and a fresh look at Mr. Solomon and even a bit more of her mom. There are many loose ends at the end of the story, which will make the reader beg for the 4th book immediately. But, overall, a fun adventure with plenty of action and suspense to keep you turning the page. A solid read -- 'B' rating.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Just looking at this book and reading the description I doubt I would have picked Ship Breaker on my own, but thanks to some major prodding I finally gave it a shot. Oh my! Fabulous story telling here. I doubt the setting or genre really matters. Bacigalupi can flat out tell a great story. One of the best stories I've read in a long time -- A rating.

Everest: You Decide How To Survive! by Bill Doyle and David Borgenicht

You are the main character in the book and a member of an expedition to climb Mt. Everest. In the style of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books, you are given a choice at major parts of the trip. Depending upon your choice, you will actually make it to the summit.. or not. Before starting the story, the reader is given instructions to read the Expedition File at the back of the book. This is an illustrated guide to help you in making the right decisions while reading the story. It's made to look like an envelope with handwritten instructions, maps, lists, and so forth, written by your guides.

I like this one, with all the different possible outcomes. I tried to keep up with the choices, going back and reading both to see what would have happened if I chose the other possibility, but it became too complicated. Most of the ones I did read showed logical possibilities and I think it'll keep the reader interested. I can see one reading it over and over, making a different decision just to see what happened -- and readers would do this even if they made it to the top of the summit in one reading. C+ rating.

The Magic Thief (Magic Thief #1) by Sarah Prineas

When Conn attempts to pick the pocket of a wizard, he never imagined the changes that would occur in his life. The wizard, Nevery Flinglas, takes Conn as an apprentice. Thrust into the world of the wizards, Conn soon learns of a threat to the town's supply of magic and his own suspicions lead him into danger.

The first of a trilogy, The Magic Thief is a good fantasy/adventure for intermediate grade levels. With the main theme dealing with good vs. evil, the reader is only positive of one character's stand. Plenty suspenseful and action-packed, it will appeal to both boys and girls, regular readers of fantasy and those not as familiar with fantasy. I give it a B.

A Templar's Gifts (The Book of Tormod #2) by Kat Black

An action-adventure set in the Middle Ages, Tormod has returned home after the death of Alexander, the Knight's Templar to whom he'd been apprenticed. We learn that Tormod is gifted with visions that lead him to leave home once again in order to elude the men searching for him.
Obviously, this is the second book in a series, because many references were made to events and characters from the first tale. I would recommend reading book one before A Templar's Gifts. You could still read this one and not find it confusing, but you would miss out on much. B rating.

The Doomsday Box by Herbie Brennan (Shadow Project #2)

Opal, Michael, and Danny return in another Shadow Project adventure. This one adds time travel to their astral projection abilities and a new member is added, Fuchsia, who has her own special abilities. The crew partners with the CIA to try and prevent a modern day outbreak of the black plague. The mission sends them back in time to the Soviet Union in 1962 at the height of the Cold War, where they must outwit the KGB and a mole in the CIA to prevent nuclear war.

This will appeal to fans of teen spy adventures, like the Alex Rider or CHERUB series. The kids are sent off on their mission almost immediately and the reader is immersed into non-stop action. I was uncomfortable with the nonchalant way the group acted while in the USSR. I mean, if they are trying not to be noticed, why yell out in English in Red Square? Oh well, it probably will bother me more than other readers. I loved the Epilogue, as it's such a perfect ending. I just wish the end of the mission didn't seem so rushed. I wanted more explanation and I wasn't totally satisfied with how the case was completed. I can't really say much more without spoilers. Overall, a satisfactory read and I know that fans of the first Shadow Project book will be pleased with this one. B- rating

The Dagger Quick by Brian Eames

Kitto believes that he will follow his father into the business of making barrels, but secretly wishes he could become a sailor instead. He was born with a club foot and he knows that limits him in the eyes of the world. When he meets his uncle, the infamous pirate William Kidd, Kitto's life is thrown into turmoil. His father is murdered, his brother and stepmom are kidnapped, and Kitto joins forces with his uncle to get revenge on the man behind it all -- the Jamaican Governor.


As advertised, The Dagger Quick is action-packed adventure. Plenty of battles, hand-to-hand combat, thrilling rescues, and treachery abound. It's a quick read, and episodic which would make for a good read-aloud. While Kitto is a well-developed character, I kept wishing that as much attention was paid to some of the other characters as well. Unfortunately, for me, many of the secondary characters were stereotypical and flat. I can see where more will be revealed in further stories about Kitto, so it may just be a "book one" flaw. All will be revealed in time. I give it a C+, a fine adventure story.

The Capture by Kathryn Lasky (Guardian's of Ga'Hoole #1)

After the movie was released last fall, I realized I needed to get some of the Guardian's of Ga'Hoole series for the library. I vaguely remember when the series was first released, and several students eagerly reading them, but they never seemed to fully get my attention. The visually stunning trailer I viewed at the movies last summer was enough to get my attention and I finally read the first book in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series, The Capture.

Soren is a young owl who is taken from his home and brought to St. Aegolius. He's told that it's an orphanage, but he's suspicious of the true motives in bringing all of the young owls there. All these young owls are put into a program of re-education, where they are brainwashed into forgetting all about their past and learn to blindly follow the rules. Soren and his friend Gylfie secretly resist this and seek to discover the real purpose of St. Aegolius, placing their own lives in peril.

I was surprised with how this story starts. From the blurb on the back of the book, I expected it to start either with his capture or already capture. Instead, there are several chapters where we view Soren's life with his family. The reader gets a realistic view of an owl embedded within this fantasy-adventure. You learn about what an owl eats, how he learns things from his mother, and so forth. I think I was just impatient to get to the real action of the story, so it seemed to be a slow start. Once Soren is captured and the intrigue starts, the pace increases and I finished it in a flash.

Fans of animal fantasies will flock to this book, for it has everything they're looking for. A solid start to the series, I give it a B.

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

Elizabeth gets an after-school job at the "New-York Circulating Materials Repository," where patrons may borrow items, as one would borrow books from a library. Included at the Repository are several special collections, including the Grimm Collection, which contains magical items from the Brothers Grimm's stories. From some of the other pages, Elizabeth learns that items have been stolen or replaced by fakes in recent months, with no suspects as to the culprit. With the help of her fellow pages, Elizabeth sets out to find the missing items and the thief, each encountering dangerous attacks which threaten his/her life.

I loved the concept of this story -- a repository of magical items from Grimm's Fairy Tales, where the items are being stolen or the magic from them is being stolen. I didn't immediately connect with the characters or the style, but I will say both grew on me. By about 2/3 of the way through, I didn't want to take breaks from reading and I needed to know how it concluded. Readers of fantasy with a strong good vs. evil vibe will want to check out The Grimm Legacy. Since I found myself hooked on the last third of the book, I'll give it a 'B.'

Capt. Hook : The Adventures of a Notorious Youth by J.V. Hart

A spin-off of Peter Pan, this book tells us the background of the boy who became Capt. Hook. James Matthew, the bastard son of a nobleman, is sent to Eton for schooling. Having been ignored by his father for almost his entire life, he's resentful of the absent father. Rather than him giving him money and things, he'd rather his father spend time with him or acknowledge him in public. Shunned by many and tormented by an older boy (one Arthur Darling) at Eton, James is determined to do as he pleases and resist bending to the will of others. With his ever-present sidekick, Roger Davies, Jas causes all sorts of uproar, including upsetting Queen Victoria over his behavior with a young, visiting Sultana.

Capt. Hook was delightful fun, a fast-paced adventure that will appeal to many. I especially enjoyed the humor that was wickedly sly, and may be overlooked by some not especially familiar with Barrie's story. (And you can't just rely on the Disney film.) I was cheering for Jas/Hook in this tale, which seemed odd since I'd known him as the villain for years. Quite satisfying story -- I give it a 'B.'

The Shadow Project by Herbie Brennan

When Danny discovers the old house he breaks into is actually the base of a secret spy organization called the Shadow Project, he's given a choice of either joining the group or going to jail. Of course, he chooses to join. This group is using experimental techniques to have teens use a form of astral projection to spy on a terrorist group. Opal, the daughter of the leader of the Shadow Project, doesn't return after her latest spying mission, and Danny is sent to find her and bring her back. What happens next is a game of cat and mouse set among the spirit world, where Danny must hunt down one of the leaders of the terrorist group.

The Shadow Project has one of the best openings of any book I've read in a long while. The first chapter has Danny discovering the secret entrance to the Shadow Project's underground base. The author tightens the tension so that you're hooked by the time Danny is captured by the project's members. Unfortunately, it begins to ramble after that, and doesn't fulfill its promise. I actually found parts in the middle boring and I really wanted to skip a few pages or chapters to find out the conclusion. I held out and forced myself to keep reading, and yes a few times, I caught a glimpse of that earlier promise. Not enough to completely redeem the book, though. I've read better spy stories (Alex Rider) and better stories featuring astral projection (Stranger with My Face). My grade? A 'C'.

The Season by Sarah MacLean

In The Season, Alex and her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, are preparing for their first Season. They will attend various balls, parties and events with the goal of finding a husband. Well, at least that's the goal of their parents. The girls don't want to get married yet, for seventeen is way too young. Each wants to experience more in life before settling down, and Alex isn't even sure she wants to get married at all. Alex becomes involved in unraveling the mystery surrounding the death of the father of close family friend, Gavin.

I loved reading a YA set during the Regency, for there's not much being written for teens set in that time period. It's accessible for readers that want something like a Jane Austen novel, but find the language in JA too difficult. Alex, Ella, and Vivi delight the reader with such normal teen behavior. They gossip, long for the time when they are independent, complain about their lives and how no one understands them. The mysterious death of Gavin's father, linked to rumors of French spies in England, leads to a thrilling adventure and romance for Alex . I admit, I was thoroughly entertained. Definitely a 'B+' book for me!

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima (Seven Realms #1)

I became a fan of Ms. Chima's books after reading The Warrior Heir several years ago. I know any time I pick up one of her books, it'll be a dramatic story highlighted by complex and dynamic characters. I will be on the edge of my seat, anxious to discover what happens to each and every character, and knowing that just about anything could happen.

Although The Demon King is over 500 pages long, I became so caught up in what was happening with Han and Raisa that I scarcely even noticed the length. In fact, I really didn't want it to end. Obviously, the first in a series, The Demon King doesn't conclude the story at the end of the book, rather it's a pause, and I, for one, can't wait to find out what happens next.

I highly recommend The Demon King to fans of fantasy and adventure stories. You won't be disappointed. I enthusiastically give this book an 'A.'

Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure by Georgia Byng

I decided to read Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure, because I loved the first two books in the series. For me, the first two books were clever fun reads. The covers in this series appeal to many and this third one is no different. Bright colors and a cute illustration of Petula (this time, big and little Petulas!).

In the first two books, Molly Moon learns to a)hypnotize others to do what she wants and b)stop time. Molly adds to her abilities when in Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure, she learns to time travel. It all starts when Petula and then Molly are kidnapped by an evil rajah from 1870 India. He's upset that she ruined his plot to control world leaders (this happens in Molly Moon Stops the World). He believes if he can grab Molly as a baby and raise her, then the events will be changed since she won't grow up in the orphanage. What happens is a lot of confusing mess of events with five Molly's at different ages, two Petulas (big and little Petula), Rocky, a street urchin from 1870's India all traveling back and forth in time.

The feel of this story is the same as the first two Molly Moon books. I love the silliness and the utter chaos of the story. At the same time, I would get confused by all the craziness as to what exactly was going on. It is almost just too much to keep straight. Some might give up on this book, because they couldn't figure out what was happening. I would strongly suggest reading the first two books in the series before tackling #3. Otherwise, the reader won't understand the passing reference to events that took place in the previous stories. I still liked the characters enough to find the story above average, but just barely. I give it a 'B-'.

The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan

I adored the first three Ranger's Apprentice books for the fabulous storyline, the thrilling action-adventure, and the intriguing characters.  After being left hanging at the end of The Icebound Land, I couldn't wait to see how the story continued in The Battle for Skandia.

To open the story, Will and Evanlyn are still in Skandia waiting for the snow to thaw and the opportunity to return home.  Before this happens, Evanlyn is captured by the Temujai and Will, with the help of Halt and Horace, seek to gain her freedom.  The group form new alliances and develop some new friendships while protecting Araluen from another threatening force.

I always make sure that I will have plenty of reading time when I start one of Flanagan's books, because these are the stories that I want to read in one sitting.  I know when I pick up one of these books, I'm going to be entertained.  The Battle for Skandia did not disappoint.  A fast-paced read that kept me turning page after page long into the night.  I didn't want the story to end.  It's a must-read for Ranger's Apprentice fans and fantasy fans everywhere.  Loved, loved, loved it!  -- An 'A' rating!

The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

You have to admit this book has a fabulous cover. The carnival-esque look with a blurb to get any Lemony Snicket fan salivating... oh yeah.

Unfortunately, my love for the story doesn't match my love for the cover. Yes, the story has a Series of Unfortunate Events feel to it, but, honestly, the author is trying too hard to make it like ASOUE. If I wasn't absolutely anal about reading every book I start cover-to-cover, I probably would have put it down after only the first two or three chapters. I was thinking, really?? You really think the reader thinks this is cute, clever, humorous??? Sadly missed the mark there.

It's probably a good thing that I do finish every book I start, because the story did improve after a few more chapters. I tended to "overlook" those Snicket-like references in the story and focused more on what was actually happening to Cass and Max-Ernest. I discovered a pretty good mystery there. I think the idea of the evil group using alchemy and the children wanting to find out about their missing classmate was actually intriguing and made for a good story, but quit trying so hard to be funny. It wasn't.

I think this book will basically leave a reader with one of two reactions. Either you will absolutely adore the book and immediately look for book two in the series or you will want to throw the book against the wall and never want to even think about it again.

For me, I believe once is enough. I don't have any desire to read any more of the series, even to discover the answers to the teasers at the end of the story. Nope. I think the author just tried way too hard and it fell flat.  For me, it was a C, but I realize that others will rate it much, much higher.