Review - The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Narrated by Neil Gaiman
Publisher: Harper Children's Audio 2008
Audiobook 7 discs



***Review coming soon***

Review - The Great Piratical Rumbustification by Margaret Mahy

The Great Piratical Rumbustification by Margaret Mahy
Illustrated by Quentin Blake
Publisher: David R. Godine 2001
Paperback 61 pages



"There's nothing like a pistol to bring out despondency and doubt in a parent..."

Never a truer statement has ever been uttered. But don't let these two tales of rapscallions and robbers scare you away from a great read!

I can't help to feel like this has to be two of the most charming children's stories that I have read since Roald Dahl. Indeed, it was the wonderfully familiar illustrations that first drew me to the book. And they should be familiar to millions as Quentin Blake has illustrated over 50 childrens books and has won oodles of awards, though he is probably best known for the illustrations in Roald Dahl's classic children's novels like Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the BFG.

The author, Margaret Mahy, is herself an accomplished children's author and former librarian. Her story, "The Librarian and the Robbers" is so unbelievably sweet and funny that I had to read it multiple times. And I've decided that a librarian could ask for no better proposal than this:

"You need someone to lift the books off you, and generally rescue you from time to time. It would make things so much simpler if you would marry me."

Ahh... I would marry that robber any time!

Review - Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Read by Blair Brown
Publisher: Listening Library 2004
3 CDs 2 hours 46 minutes



This book is a great primer for 2nd to 5th grade reading levels into the subject of WW II. The story takes place in 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark. Ten-year-old Annemarie learns how to be brave and courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis. The book covers the little known underground resistance network in Denmark during the occupation and how the Danes smuggled Danish Jews out of the country and in to Sweden.

Review - Matchless: A Christmas Story by Gregory Maguire

Matchless: A Christmas Story by Gregory Maguire
Publisher: Harper Collins 2009
Hardback 112 pages




Gregory Maguire has made his fame taking beloved classic fairytales and turning them on their head by giving us new insights into the often overlooked villains and sidekicks of the stories. His most famous work, Wicked, which is the story of the Wicked Witch's tale from The Wizard of Oz, was even made into a Broadway musical.

In this children's tale, Maguire takes a fresh look into The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen. If you haven't read this classic story, then do so first. And after you have dried your tears and used your last Kleenex, read Maguire's continuation of her story. And then curse that you used your last Kleenex as this book is sure to make the Grinch cry.

To read "The Little Match Girl" online click here.

Review - The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

Publisher: Little, Brown and Co. 2008
Hardback 440 pages



I absolutely hate the authors of series. Okay, maybe that is a little harsh, but whenever I get close to the characters of a particular series, I always feel more than just a little sadness at having to say goodbye to them.

This is the third, and potentially, last book in the Mysterious Benedict Society series of childrens books by author Trenton Stewart. Once again the children are threatened by the evil Mr. Curtain and must learn to overcome their individual fears and weaknesses and find their inner strength to outwit and save the day. While most childrens book authors create static characters, we can see how the children's experiences have really changed and evolved their individual personalities. We see not only their brilliance and strenght, but how they overcome their shortfalls, whether it be Reynie's problem with trusting others or Constance's stubbornness.

The only complaint I have is for the week ending. Which even though it was a pleasant surprise, it was a little too "perfect" and didn't really fit in with the theme of the rest of the books.

Review - The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart
Publisher: Little,Brown 2007
Hardback 485 pages



This book was thrust upon me by a children's librarian who told me that I HAVE to read this. This book looked wonderful to me and I was so surprised that I hadn't seen it before. It's story contains everything that I love in a good child's book: children who are uncommonly smart (I was convinced I was Matilda as a kid), an evil genius with aims to enslave the human race (a thing I have been accused of from time to time), and, of course, books. And so I started this book with my hopes high and I have to say I was BLOWN AWAY. This book is a clever little story, told smartly, and will delight both children and adults. The peculiar quirks of the main characters will amuse adults, and the fast paced, adventure packed storyline will keep even the most distracted reader's attention through the entire 485 pages. This book just flew by and I was so unbelievably happy when I found that it was only the first book in a series, that as of 2009, contains two other books. Here's hoping there are many more to come and I can not wait for the next book to show up on the hold shelf.

Review - Percy Jackson and the Olympians (series) by Rick Riordan

Book 1: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books 2005
Hardback 377 pages

Book 2: The Sea of Monsters
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books 2006
Hardback 279 pages

Book 3: The Titans Curse
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books 2007
Hardback 312 pages

Book 4: The Battle of the Labyrinth
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books 2008
Hardback 361 pages

Book 5: The Last Olympian
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books 2009
Hardback 381 pages


With non-stop adventure and action, the final installment of the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series will not disappoint. The book is one epic battle that takes place in the streets of Manhattan and nothing less then the whole of Western civilization hangs in the balance. With a love triangle brewing between Percy, Annabeth and Rachel Dare, an army of demonic creatures and the Gods busy fighting the war away from home, the teen heroes of Camp Half-Blood are left to defend Mt. Olympus and prove their worth to their immortal parents.

Those who love fantasy, adventure and friendship will enjoy this beautifully written series. The last book in the series also leaves with a new prophecy and the hope of many new adventures from this talented author.

A handy read-alike list can be found here.
Recommended for readers 5th grade and up.