Island of the Blue Dolphins

The third book I found at work was Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. This is a Newbery that I have never read even though I've heard about it for years. In this story, Karana, an Indian girl, ends up living alone on her island for years after some tragedies take place with her people. The book follows Karana as she makes food and weapons and survives from season to season on the beautiful island she loves.

This book had kind of a Hatchet feel to it since a lot of the book focused on what foods she was getting and how she cooked them and how she made weapons. It was also a nice story of the personal changes that took place in herself as she spent time alone on this island, with only animals for companionship. The book was very believable and really portrayed well this strong character.

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

Stone Fox

I also read Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner during free time at work. When I taught elementary school, a lot of students had read this book, so I decided to read it too. Stone Fox is about a boy named Willy who is raised by his grandfather. His grandfather becomes ill--but the doctor says the illness is just because the grandfather has given up hope. It is up to Willy to figure out how to help his grandfather feel better and how to solve their family's financial problems.

This was a very quick read and a sweet story. It had a familiarity to it--maybe I've read a similar book or seen the movie back in the day. I wouldn't say it's the best written book in the sense of details and such, but it was a nice story.

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

Jacob Have I Loved

I've had some extra time during my free period at work lately, so I've read a couple books I found on a bookshelf there. The first was Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson. It's a book I've heard about for years but for some reason never read. It is the story of twin girls--Sara Louise and Caroline--who live on an island in the Chesapeake Bay in the 1940s. Sara Louise tells her story of growing up in the shadow of her "perfect" twin sister.

This was a nice read that really pulled you into the narrator's point of view. I definitely had some tear-y moments in the book because I just really felt for Sara Louise. The book had interesting characters and a nice ending.

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

Mistborn: The Hero of Ages

I just finished the third and final book in the series that I described previously. This book follows the characters into the final episode of the conflict until everything comes to an end.

I really enjoyed this book as well. I love the varying points of view presented in the book. And once again, I was very involved in the story. I also appreciated the thought-provoking ideas presented as the characters went through their various conflicts. I also was pleasantly surprised by the ending of the book--It was not what I was expecting, but I liked it. I'd highly recommend this series if you're looking for a good book (/books) to read.

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

Mistborn: The Well of Ascension

This is the second book in the series I started last month. I won't summarize this book because then it would give away how book one ended. So, suffice it to say that this book continues the story of the final empire.

This was another GREAT book. I was just completely enthralled in the story and wanted to read all the time. The story really just consumed my mind; I thought about the characters and events all the time. It was an exciting book where I kept trying to guess what would happen but was continually surprised.

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

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma is the newest book in the Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart. This series is the story of four young children--Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance. These kids are not ordinary children, however. They were hand-selected by Mr. Benedict because they are very smart and very clever. The books tell the story of the children's adventures as they work to out-smart and defeat a criminal mastermind named Mr. Curtain.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun story. The characters in these books are really distinct and likable, and their personalities just make the book really entertaining to read. This is a cute series--a recommendation for upper elementary kids.

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

Peter and the Sword of Mercy

Peter and the Sword of Mercy is the newest book in the Peter and the Starcatchers series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. This series is the background story behind Peter Pan and how he came to be the Peter we know. The first few books follow Peter and his friend Molly, whose father is a member of the Starcatchers, who search for "starstuff" that has fallen from the sky in hopes of protecting it from the "Others." This particular book takes place when Molly is all grown up and married and has three children, including a girl named Wendy.

I really liked reading this book. It was different from the earlier books in the series since it took place later in time, which made it kind of fun. This is a great series with a creative storyline. The books are entertaining with a lot of humor (Dave Barry's touch, I presume) but are also descriptive and exciting. I'd recommend this series to upper elementary kids or those of you older folks like me who enjoy kid series.

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