The Bridge to Never Land

I was super excited when I saw that Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (authors of the fabulous Peter and the Starcatchers series) had written a new book--The Bridge to Never Land.  This book is about Sarah and her brother Aiden, teenagers who find a coded document in their house and start to follow its clues.  Soon they realize that the things they read about in the Starcatchers books may actually be true, and they are on the run from the police and FBI as they try to look for the help they need.

This was a really fun book.  Like Barry and Pearson's previous series, the book was exciting and entertaining.  It was also fun to have connections with the Starcatchers series.  The book and characters were interesting and kept me engaged throughout.  I also liked how the book concluded super well (tying up loose ends)--but then gave a hint as to what could be the subject of a sequel.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice is a biography by Phillip Hoose; it was a Newbery honor book.  It tells about the early life of Claudette Colvin, who most people know very little about.  However, when she was a (black) teenager in March 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.  This may sound unextraordinary if you know about Rosa Parks, but what Claudette did took place the year before Rosa Parks did the same thing.  This is the story of Claudette--a teenager who decided that she was going to take a stand against segregation.

This was an incredible book!  I can't believe that I never knew about Claudette Colvin or the Browder v. Gayle case that made such a difference in segregation.  This was a really amazing story that reminded me of the many brave, dedicated people who were part of the civil rights movement.  I also love that this was a thorough story/biography, but I got through it super quickly since it was written for kids.  I'd highly recommend this book to expand your understanding of the civil rights movement and to learn from some really exemplary people.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin was a 2010 Newbery honor book.  As part of my attempt to read all the medal/honor books from the last decade, I decided to read this one.  It is the story of Minli from the valley of Fruitless Mountain who loves hearing her father's stories about Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon.  She becomes disenchanted with her poor life and decides to go try to find a fortune for her family by seeking out the Old Man of the Moon.

I feel like the plot description does not do this book justice because it is a wonderful, engaging story.  It was a quick read but partially because I just didn't want to put it down.  I loved Minli's sweet, believing character and all the people and creatures she meets along her journey.  This book ties together Chinese folklore and is filled with the stories Minli is told throughout the book.  I also loved also the lesson Minli learns in the book about obtaining her family's fortune.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Forge

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson is the sequel to a book I read awhile back called Chains.  I've loved all the historical fiction books I'd read by Laurie Halse Anderson in the past, so I was excited to read this one too.  Even though this is a sequel, it follows the secondary character from the first book, a slave named Curzon.  After being promised freedom from his owner after service in the Revolutionary War army, Curzon re-enlists in the army as a free person.  This book follows what happens to him during his time at Valley Forge.

This was another fabulous book.  It was completely engaging and interesting with characters I loved to love (and others I loved to hate).  It had clever twists and just a wonderful story, all with an incredible glimpse at what life was like for slaves, soldiers, and Patriots during the Revolutionary War.  Even better, the author threw in a little connection/shout-out to another one of her books that isn't even part of this series.  Too cool.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Mansion

I read The Mansion, a short story by Henry van Dyke, for my book club.  I had never heard of this book before, but it apparently is a must-read each Christmas season along with A Christmas Carol.  I was able to read The Mansion (a super quick read) for free on the Internet.  It is about a religious man named John who is very wealthy, donates to charities, and seems to live a life without error.  However, one night in a dream, he finds that the mansion he expected to find for his reward in heaven is not at all what he expected.  The lesson in the story comes near the end where John asks the Keeper of the Gate, "What is it that counts here?"  and receives the answer, "Only that which is truly given. Only that good which is done for the love of doing it."

This is a really wonderful story that was very thought-provoking.  It was so easy to relate to the main character as he desperately tried to explain to the Keeper of the Gate all that he had done for good on the earth.  He then with disappointment received an explanation that he had already received his reward for those acts: "Would you be paid twice?"  It made me really think about how I should seek do good in this world without needing praise or recognition--the reward may not come in this world but in the next.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Son of Neptune

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan is the second book in the Heroes of Olympus series.  It tells the story of three demigods who must unleash Death, who is chained, which prevents anyone (including monsters) from staying dead.  I won't elaborate further on the plot so I don't give anything away since this is part two in a series.

I really liked this book--it got me interested quicker than the first book in the series and was a fun read.  I loved the side stories that went with each character and how details were released throughout the story.  The characters were great, the story was exciting, and the ending was great.  It tied up loose ends but also introduced exactly what to look forward to in book 3.  Too bad it doesn't come out till Fall 2012!

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick is written in the same format as another book he wrote a few years ago called The Invention of Hugo Cabret (which I loved).  The author combines pictures and words to tell a story--a few pages of pictures followed by a few pages of words, repeated throughout the entire book.  Wonderstruck tells two different stories--Ben (in words) is searching for his father, while Rose (in pictures) sets out on a quest of her own.

Even though this book looks massive, it's a quick read.  (Thanks to half the pages being pictures, and the text pages aren't very full.)  It's a fascinating story that kept me enthralled and excited about what was to come.  I loved the unknowns that were revealed throughout the book, loved the distinct characters, and loved how everything came together.  It was a fun book with beautiful illustrations and a feel-good story.  Highly recommended.

Rating:  * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

In the Garden of Beasts

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson was this month's book for the book club I'm in.  It is the true story of William Dodd, a history professor who unexpectedly becomes America's ambassador to Germany in 1933.  He brings along his wife and young adult children.  The book chronicles the transformation the family goes through over time--from admiring Hitler to being repulsed by him.  It is a fascinating look (through primary sources and accounts) at how America viewed Germany at the beginning of Hitler's "reign" in Germany and the role of the Dodd family in all that took place.

This was a very interesting book.  I am always happy to be "forced" into reading a book I wouldn't normally read.  I really love books about WWII but typically pick up historical fiction more than nonfiction.  But this book read like a story and kept me interested in what took place.  I was very involved with the people in the story and learned a lot about this pre-WWII time period.  [A sidenote here is that this is the first book I've ever read on a Kindle.  (No, I did not get a Kindle.)  When I put this book on hold at the library, for some reason, I was number 400-something, which meant I was never going to get it in time for our meeting this week.  So, a lady in the book club lent me her Kindle. Nice!]

Rating; * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Throne of Fire

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan is the second book in the Kane Chronicles, which I started a few months ago.  It follows where book 1 left off.  In this book, Apophis (the Chaos snake) is rising, so Sadie and Carter take it upon themselves to bring Ra, the sun god, back to life.  The book follows Sadie, Carter, and their friends as they try to bring together the worlds of gods and magicians.

I liked this book more than the first one for some reason, maybe because I was just more familiar with the story background.  I like the alternating point of view between Sadie and Carter, and the book was full of adventures.  It was a fun read that kept me interested and anxious to read throughout.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

After Tupac and D Foster

After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson was a Newbery Honor book from a few years ago.  The book is narrated by a 12-year-old girl who describes life on her block, her friendship with Neeka and the new foster girl D, and how they follow the what happens to their favorite rapper, Tupac.

This was a really well-written book--Jacqueline Woodson's books just seem to have a beautiful flow of words, so it's a nice read.  I didn't really love the story or feel too particularly attached to the characters, but it was okay enough that I finished the book.

Rating: * (1/3 = It was okay)

Yellow Star

I decided I wanted to read Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy after my Grandma mentioned in one of her weekly family e-mails that she had read it. This book is the true story of a girl named Syvia who was 4 years old when the thousands of Jews in her town in Poland were sent by the Germans into a ghetto. As the book tells, "At the end of the war, there were about 800 survivors. Of those who survived, only twelve were children. This is the story of one of the twelve." The author of the book is the niece of Syvia.

This was a really incredible story. I really have a special place in my heart for Holocaust books, and this was another touching and inspiring book. I was so involved in the book as I read about Syvia's childhood in the ghetto and about her brave, selfless father. This was a quick read, written in a first person, from a child's eyes.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Forger's Spell

I read The Forger's Spell by Edward Dolnick for my church book group. The subtitle for the book says, "A true story of Vermeer, Nazis, and the greatest art hoax of the twentieth century." This is a really fascinating story about Van Meegeren, a small-time painter during WWII who began to create forgeries that art critics accepted as genuine Vermeers. As Van Meegeren rakes in millions of dollars, he even manages to sell one of his paintings to Goering, Hitlers #2 man. The amazing thing about this whole story is that Van Meegeren is not that great of an artist--and the book tells the story of how he managed to fool everyone.

This was a really interesting book. I didn't have a ton of background information about the subjects, but that didn't seem to matter. The book had lots of details about every side of the story (which was sometimes interesting but sometimes seemed excessive). It was just so incredible to read about the obsession Nazis and others had with art during WWII and how Van Meegeren and other forgers go to such extremes to create a successful forgery.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes

Because I've enjoyed Brandon Mull as an author, I got his newest book (first in a series), Beyonders: A World Without Heroes, from the library. This book is about Jason and Rachel, two teens who somehow find themselves in a strange world called Lyrian. Lyrian is under the rule of an evil wizard named Malador, and Jason and Rachel become involved with "a quest to piece together the word of power that can destroy the emperor."

This was a really clever story with unique and fun fantastical characters. I liked the story and action a lot, but it was one of those books with a seriously lame ending that just forces you to continue to read the series. I would've continued the series anyway, but I wish the author ended this book well instead of leaving it with so many unanswered questions and open doors. Oh well.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero is the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan (author of the Lightning Thief books, which I loved). It tells of Piper, Jason, and Leo, three teens who find out they are demigods and are sent to Camp Half-Blood to find safety from monsters. Soon after their arrival, they leave on a quest where their unique abilities are the key to saving Hera--and protecting the safety of demigods and people everywhere.

This was a really fun book. I felt like it was kind of slow at first; it took awhile to get into the action. But, the characters were very distinct and likable, and I liked that the book tied in with the Percy Jackson series while still being a very separate story. The kids go on fun adventures, and I really like the powers that they have. I was almost going to give the book 2 stars, but then the very last page was AWESOME--a great surprise that made me psyched for the next book. This book was a winner.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Heart of a Samurai

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus was a Newbery Honor book for 2011. It's about a 14-year-old boy named Manjiro who is with 4 friends fishing when a huge storm hits, and they end up getting stranded on a deserted island. As food begins to run out and things are getting desperate, they are rescued--but by barbarians (what Manjiro has been taught white men are). As Manjiro and his friends are taken on board by the kind captain, Manjiro finds that these men are not barbarians and that he is very interested in the world outside Japan. The book chronicles Manjiro's travels and his dream to one day return home.

This was a really awesome book. First of all, it's based on a true story (explained in the epilogue and historical note at the end), which is really cool. The book also had very likable characters and a interesting and changing story that kept me reading. It was very well written and just a good book. I'd rate it higher, but I don't think it quite reached the love level because I wasn't too interested in the subject matter--but the book was great.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Jumping the Scratch

I chose to read Jumping the Scratch by Sarah Weeks because she's the author of a book I read in the past called So B. It. This book tells about Jamie who lives with his mother and Aunt Sapphy after his parents' divorce. His aunt suffers from amnesia after an accident at work, and Jamie is lonely and bullied at school. Then something even worse happens to Jamie, and this book tells the story of how he gets past these hard things in his life.

This was a quick read and a nice story. Even though lots of bad things happened to Jamie, the book seemed to have a positive feel to it anyway. I really liked the characters in the book. I found this book in the children's section of the library, but I'd say it's more for young adults because the bad thing that happens to Jamie is subject matter that may not be appropriate for kids.


Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones

Alcatraz Verses the Scrivener's Bones by Brandon Sanderson is the second book in the Alcatraz series. In this book, Alcatraz and his companions have to go try to save Alcatraz's grandfather who is at the mysterious Library of Alexandria. With only some special lenses and his talent for breaking things, Alcatraz has to get past the soul-sucking curators and lead those with him to save his father and grandfather.

This was another unique book. I really like one of the side characters, Bastille. Sometimes this book made me laugh out loud, and other times the humor was just pretty odd. It was a fun story that kept me wondering what would happen.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Price We Paid

I received The Price We Paid: The Extraordinary Story of the Willie & Martin Handcart Pioneers by Andrew D. Olsen as a gift from my grandma. It is an account of Mormon pioneers who crossed the United States using handcarts in 1856--and due to leaving too late in the season experienced terrible hardship. The book tells of their journey starting with the ship in England all the way to their life in Utah once they arrived.

This was an incredible story. I picked up the book expecting to just read a little bit but ended up reading the entire book in about a week. It was just so compelling to read about the faith of these people and how despite difficulties, pain, and tragedy, they kept their faith in God and trusted that He would have everything work out for their good. It was really an amazing, thorough book with lots of first-hand accounts. It's also really special for me to read because I had an ancestor who as a young girl was a part of the handcart company.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish was recommended in The Happiness Project. It sounded intriguing, so I got it from the library. This book gives tips on effective methods of communication with kids to better handle conflicts, feelings, etc.

This was a really good book. Emmeline isn't old enough for me to be able to apply these skills right now, but I think it was a great overview to keep in mind for the future. (And then I'll probably want to re-read this book in a few years.) The book was a quick read with comics, lists, and personal experiences all tied in with the authors' advice. It really had some great ideas about little adjustments you can make to just have more success with family relationships.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Red Pyramid

I had The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan on hold at the library for months. I was anxious to read it because 1) I really enjoyed his Lightning Thief series, and 2) I heard him give a sneak peek of this book last year at the National Book Festival in DC. This book is about Carter and Sadie Cane, teenagers whose mother died years before and whose father disappears after a mysterious explosion. They soon discover that the gods of Ancient Egypt are still around, and Carter and Sadie themselves are instrumental in bringing order to the world of gods and magicians.

This book was longer than I expected and took me quite awhile to get through. It was an action-packed story with funny characters. I liked the relationship between Carter and Sadie. There were exciting twists, and it was just a good overall story. I had trouble keeping track of all of the details sometimes, and it wasn't quite as intriguing as the Lightning Thief series--but I liked it okay.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

The Happiness Project

I saw a friend had read this book by Gretchen Rubin, and the title stuck out to me: The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. This book tells of the author's decision to try to be happier in life--changing her life without changing her life. She spends a year making choices that help her be happier just in the everyday aspects of life. She tells of her resolutions and experiences.

This book was entertaining and extremely thought-provoking. I don't think I've ever read a nonreligious book that inspired me to change my life like this one did. The book really helped me recognize where I could make small adjustments and decisions in my life to just be happier--and thus make those around me happier in return. I finished the book today and have already outlined my own "happiness project" (list of happiness keys and then a list of resolutions). I know I have every reason to be happy, and this book has helped me see how I can make little choices that will help me feel happier every day. Awesome!

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Dreamer

After reading and enjoying many of Pam Munoz Ryan's books, I was excited to read her new one, The Dreamer. This book is about Neftali, a small and weak boy who has a love of words. Living in Chile, he endures loneliness and the ridicule of his father through daydreaming, reading, and putting together words. After finishing the book, I realized that this book is a fictional book based on the real events of Pablo Neruda's childhood. (Pablo Neruda is a very famous poet that I will confess I hadn't heard about until reading this book.)

I really enjoyed this book. Neftali was such a wonderful character, full of so much life. It was sad to read how he was treated by his father. I loved reading about Neftali's strong spirit and his love of the details of life. The book was very well written--like poetry itself--with lots of tender moments and important messages.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Moon Over Manifest

I chose to read Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool because it won the Newbery Medal for 2011. This book is about a 12-year-old girl named Abilene Tucker whose father sends her to live with an old friend for the summer while he works for the railroad. While Abilene spends her time in Manifest, Kansas, she searches for anything to learn about her father's past and his life in the small town. Soon Abilene finds a box of letters and mementos and then meets a diviner named Miss Sadie who tells stories from the past, and Abilene starts to piece together the town's secrets--and her own part in them.

This was a Newbery winner that I really thought was a great pick. I loved the main character, Abilene, and her curious personality. I also loved the book's format--it switched back and forth from the present to stories of the past. It gave a great glimpse into what life would've been like in a small Kansas town in 1918 and then 1936. It was a good read, with enough unanswered questions to keep me interested throughout.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Dragon Spear

I finished up the Jessica Day George series with book 3, Dragon Spear. This book follows Creel on an adventure to the world of dragons.

This one took me longer to read than the other books in the series--it just didn't quite hook me, so I took forever to get through it. That sometimes happens to me in a series when a subject just loses its novelty. But, it was a cute story with enjoyable characters and a clever, adventurous plot line.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

After being on hold for months at the library, I finally got the newest Wimpy Kid book by Jeff Kinney. These books were big when I taught elementary school, so I still read them for entertainment. This book follows Greg's accounts of the awkwardness of middle school and increased responsibility after his mom goes back to school.

This book had some entertaining parts--where I just laughed out loud because it was so random and funny. Unfortunately, I didn't think this one was quite as funny as the previous books in the series. But, since it's such a super quick read, I don't really mind that I didn't love it.

Rating: * (1/3 = It was okay)

Out of My Mind

My cousin recommended Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper to my grandma, so I decided to read it as well. This book is from the point of view of Melody, a fifth grader with cerebral palsy. She is unable to talk and has a limited ability to communicate, but words and thoughts fill her brilliant mind. Melody deals with judgmental peers and teachers but a wonderfully supportive family and neighbor. When she finds a computer system that allows her to speak for the first time, Melody finds herself with new opportunities.

This was a really incredible story. The main character's experiences were very compelling and just made me really think about how I have reacted to people with her type of disabilities. I was touched by the kindness of some of the characters--and disappointed by the thoughtlessness of others. The book really captured so many emotions--had me laughing, crying, the whole gamut. It was very enlightening and touching.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Science Fair

My husband and I saw Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson at the library and decided to check it out since we liked the Peter and the Starcatchers series they wrote. Science Fair is the story of Toby, an 8th grader, who keeps finding himself in trouble. First, to get money to buy himself a new computer, he sells his dad's original Star Wars blaster to a guy on ebay. This guy turns out to be a crazy guy who dresses as Darth Vader and comes to Toby's town to try to get more of Toby's dad's stuff. Then, Toby also discovers some of his classmates are cheating on the science fair AND involving top-secret military technology. Toby knows something is up and realizes that it's not just himself he should be worried about--it's the entire country's safety.

This book was okay. It was very odd and had several stories going on at the same time, all connecting to Toby. Parts of the book were funny, and some of the characters had entertaining idiosyncrasies. But, overall, the book seemed to drag on a little bit and just be a little too weird for me to truly enjoy. But, I'm also not always a science fiction fan, so maybe that's why. And the weirdness to me would probably strike other people as humor. So who knows.

* (1/3 = It was okay)

Mockingbird

I was reading Shannon Hale's blog and saw her recommendation of Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine. (Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors.) The book looked good, so I decided to read it. It's the story of a 10-year-old girl named Caitlin who has Asperger's syndrome. After her brother is killed in a school shooting, Caitlin realizes she needs to find what she keeps hearing about--closure. The book is written from the point of view of Caitlin.

This book was awesome! There were times when I was half laughing, half crying just because the book just made me feel for Caitlin so much. It was extremely well written with completely understandable and lovable characters. I love books like this that tell the story from the point of view of a character with a disability because it just is so much more enlightening than if the story were told any other way. Caitlin's behaviors often reminded me of students I taught with Asperger's, and I just loved reading how she felt and seeing all the different characters' interactions with her.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise is another Newbery Honor book for 2011, and the author, Jennifer L. Holm, also wrote a book I really enjoyed in the past (Penny from Heaven). Turtle in Paradise is about an 11-year-old girl named Turtle who lives with her mother during the Great Depression. When her mom gets a job as a housekeeper with a woman who won't allow children in the home, Turtle is sent to live with her aunt in Key West. She meets her cousins (all boys) and their friends and begins to have some great adventures in the town where her mother grew up.

This was a really fun book with lots of interesting characters. There were some entertaining parts (like the job her cousins have as a Diaper Gang, babysitting babies in return for candy). It really captured the atmosphere of life in the town during the 30s. I also found out in the Author's Note at the end that the author based the story on her ancestors who lived in Key West, which is kind of cool. The book was very well written but didn't quite reach the "love" level because I wasn't completely emotionally involved like I like to be in books.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

One Crazy Summer

I read One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia because it was one of the Newbery honor books for 2011. The story takes place in the 1960s and follows three young black girls whose father send them across the country to meet their mother for the first time. They attend a day camp sponsored by the Blank Panthers, travel to San Francisco to have an adventure, and try to get to know their distant, poet mother.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very well written with great details and entertaining and distinct characters. The three sisters were each so funny and unique, and I loved them as characters. The only reason I'm not giving the book 3 stars is that I wasn't wild about the story itself--just not incredibly engaging on its own.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Dragon Flight

I continued the Jessica Day George series with book 2, Dragon Flight. This book tells the story of another dragon war and Creel's part in what takes place.

This was another fun book. I probably enjoyed it a little bit less than the first one just because the novelty was gone. But, I did enjoy the new characters and how the book ended. I enjoyed following the friendships, romances, and adventures.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Anne of the Island

I'm continuing with the Anne of Green Gables series, reading Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery. This book follows Anne as she leaves home to head to college. She meets new friends, moves into an old cottage, and deals with marriage proposals.

This is just a great series. Anne is such a personable character; I feel like I know her well as I read the books. This was a fun book to follow her interactions with different characters.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Small Change

My mom gave me Small Change: The Secret Life of Penny Burford by J. Belinda Yandell for Christmas. It takes place in 1965, where Penny, without knowing exactly why, takes a nickel from her husband's pile of change on his dresser. He never does anything with the piles of change he brings home, so she starts quietly taking little bits of change each day. This decision ends up, as the book says, changing "the course of her life--and the lives of untold others."

This was a quick read and a nice story. The beginning was kind of sad to me, but I really liked how things came together in the end. I also liked the thought-provoking theme of the story.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Dragon Slippers

I saw on Facebook a friend's recommendation of Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George, so I decided to get it from the library. It's about a girl named Creel whose aunt gives her to a dragon in hopes of a knight's rescue. Instead, Creel makes a deal with the dragon to escape, winning a pair of shoes from the dragon's hoard. Creel then travels to the king's city to get a job as a seamstress, but soon strange things begin to happen as a result of Creel's shoes. Soon, it's up to Creel to find a way to save the kingdom.

This was such a good book! It's definitely my kind of book, so I'm thrilled that it's a series. The characters were super fun, and I just loved how the story flowed and how it ended. It was a feel-good, happily ever after book with lots of adventure.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)