Like the other books in this series, it was an educational read, with lot's of information about the area and its history. However, all the books seem to follow the same pattern and is kind of predictable. This one, to its credit, did step it up a bit and was exciting. However, I don't understand why the culprit leaves clues. Every villain seems like he is trying to get caught.
The main characters, Grant and Christina, are visiting Jamestown and meet an archaeologist, who is suspected of stealing some bones from the site that he is working at. Grant and Christina, along with the archaeologist's son, and a girl they meet in Jamestown, have to clear his name. And convince their grandparents to let them keep their new puppy.
If this is the first book of the series that the reader has read, I think they'll enjoy it. If not, they could probably guess the ending.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
The Mystery at Mount Vernon
This book is part of the Real Kids, Real Places series by Carol Marsh. It gives kids the chance to learn more about George Washington, especially his life when he was not president. The kids in the story follow clues that seem to lead them to what seems to be previously unfound fake teeth from George Washington. The fact that it was about weird trivia will appeal to kids.
The ending was not predictable, but to be honest, I assumed it would play out to be some kind of joke. I think the book needed more of a sense of urgency. The ending also kind of felt too much like a Scooby Doo ending.
However, the information they provided was good, and more than just what you usually hear. I could see how kids would especially enjoy it if their family was planning a trip to Mount Vernon or had just gotten back.
The ending was not predictable, but to be honest, I assumed it would play out to be some kind of joke. I think the book needed more of a sense of urgency. The ending also kind of felt too much like a Scooby Doo ending.
However, the information they provided was good, and more than just what you usually hear. I could see how kids would especially enjoy it if their family was planning a trip to Mount Vernon or had just gotten back.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The Giggling Ghost: Girl Scout Mystery
The Giggling Girl Scout takes place in Savannah, Georgia. Young Girl Scouts have gathered to celebrate 100 years of scouting. This is a book that I was really excited about.
The main characters in the book are following clues that lead them to all the places that girl scouts over the years have frequented, and are important to the history of Girl Scouting. After they find each clue they hear giggling. They're older cousin, a veteran in solving mysteries, doesn't take them seriously.
The thing about this book is that it will appeal to a wide range. It's not scary, so younger readers will enjoy it, but the mystery is hard to figure out and not predictable. It's also a great way to learn more about Girl Scouting, and Savannah, Georgia, while still being fun.
The main characters in the book are following clues that lead them to all the places that girl scouts over the years have frequented, and are important to the history of Girl Scouting. After they find each clue they hear giggling. They're older cousin, a veteran in solving mysteries, doesn't take them seriously.
The thing about this book is that it will appeal to a wide range. It's not scary, so younger readers will enjoy it, but the mystery is hard to figure out and not predictable. It's also a great way to learn more about Girl Scouting, and Savannah, Georgia, while still being fun.
Friday, July 6, 2012
The Dragon Quartet: Book of Fire
About two years ago I started reading the Dragon Quartet. The series comes in two volumes, which comprise of a total of four books. So far I have read The Book of Earth and The Book of Water. The first volume was a captivating story that spanned across thousands of years and centered around two characters, the Dragon Guides, and their Dragons. The Dragons represent the four elements, and their guides are named for them. It's not obvious, since their names are in different languages, but they do make sure this is known. In the first two books, they realize that someone is wreaking havoc in their times. Erde, the girl, is from Germany in 913 and has been experiencing unusually long and cold winters. N'Doch, who represents water, lives in Africa in 2013 where there is widespread drought and heat. N'Doch is Erde's opposite, but the two seem to have a complicated relationship. It is determined that Fire must be causing it. The Dragons cannot contact him, or Air.
The Book of Fire is about Paia. Unlike the first two Dragon guides, she has spent more time with her dragon, but knows even less, since the other two had grandparents who taught them dragon lore. Paia is treated like a prisoner, never going out since her parents were killed and Fire, who calls himself The God, took over. Paia serves as his priestess. The heat that N'Doch faced has gotten worse and spread, so that most people almost never leave their houses during the day.
This is an excellent book, although probably not one that should be read on its own, since the first two books build on the premise and characters. The plot is complex. I almost went back and read the first two books, but remembered a lot of the details as I got further into it. The book has some themes that I'm not sure are intentional, or are meant to be taken the way that I did. For example, I noticed a environmental/balance between humans and nature message. At one time, Erde asks "What did humans do to upset God so much?" and another character replies, "Humans brought it on themselves." I feel like there was some kind of message about God and religion, but I'm not sure what it is. Perhaps these books are meant to be interpreted many different ways.
These are some of the most unique fantasy books I have read, and if you are looking to take on a literature challege, (these books are long, and took me awhile to get through them) I'd recommend them wholeheartedly.
The Book of Fire is about Paia. Unlike the first two Dragon guides, she has spent more time with her dragon, but knows even less, since the other two had grandparents who taught them dragon lore. Paia is treated like a prisoner, never going out since her parents were killed and Fire, who calls himself The God, took over. Paia serves as his priestess. The heat that N'Doch faced has gotten worse and spread, so that most people almost never leave their houses during the day.
This is an excellent book, although probably not one that should be read on its own, since the first two books build on the premise and characters. The plot is complex. I almost went back and read the first two books, but remembered a lot of the details as I got further into it. The book has some themes that I'm not sure are intentional, or are meant to be taken the way that I did. For example, I noticed a environmental/balance between humans and nature message. At one time, Erde asks "What did humans do to upset God so much?" and another character replies, "Humans brought it on themselves." I feel like there was some kind of message about God and religion, but I'm not sure what it is. Perhaps these books are meant to be interpreted many different ways.
These are some of the most unique fantasy books I have read, and if you are looking to take on a literature challege, (these books are long, and took me awhile to get through them) I'd recommend them wholeheartedly.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Z.E.O: A Zombie's Guide to Getting a(Head) in Business
For my first book, I purposefully choose something that I thought would be easy and fun to finish. I got this book as a Christmas present and was able to finish it in one day. It is written by Scott Kenemore.
This book, as you suspected, was a humor book, and I don't think the author intended for the advice in it to be followed at all times; however, some of it was good and useful. It had tips such as cut out things that don't need to be done, and work more slowly and methodically on the things that are important. The zombie metaphor was a clever one.
On the downside, some of the jokes got stale from repeated use and it wasn't as entertaining as I expected it to be. Also, while I realize that this isn't a legitimate business books, I did disagree with the author on some points. I also suspected that he had a chip on his shoulder about some of the things. It also would have been funnier if he used "research," possibly from zombie movies to make his point. Finally, his track for you to become a C.E.O. (or Z.E.O.) seemed far-fetched, and only modeled after certain industries.
Overall, it was a worthwhile read, and a good way to kill a few hours. I'm just not sure it will make good repeat reading.
This book, as you suspected, was a humor book, and I don't think the author intended for the advice in it to be followed at all times; however, some of it was good and useful. It had tips such as cut out things that don't need to be done, and work more slowly and methodically on the things that are important. The zombie metaphor was a clever one.
On the downside, some of the jokes got stale from repeated use and it wasn't as entertaining as I expected it to be. Also, while I realize that this isn't a legitimate business books, I did disagree with the author on some points. I also suspected that he had a chip on his shoulder about some of the things. It also would have been funnier if he used "research," possibly from zombie movies to make his point. Finally, his track for you to become a C.E.O. (or Z.E.O.) seemed far-fetched, and only modeled after certain industries.
Overall, it was a worthwhile read, and a good way to kill a few hours. I'm just not sure it will make good repeat reading.
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