Kyera (8 KP) rated The Silver Mask in Books
Feb 1, 2018
We find Call in the Panopticon, a prison for Mages because his secret was revealed and now the entire Mage-world fears him. He continues to battle against any decisions he feels might push him down the path to Evil Overlord-ness and assure everyone that he is Call, despite the soul inside him. He struggles with doing what he feels is right and righting his world after what happened in the Bronze Key. It's tough to lose someone and just accept it when you believe that you might have the power to do something about it.
This middle-grade book was a little slow to start, though the pacing issues might have just been me as a reader getting back into the story after not inhabiting the world since the last book was released. Personally, though, I feel that the pacing wasn't as swift as it should have been to keep readers engaged, especially middle-grade readers. A lot of the story just revolved around sneaking about, learning more about his abilities and being trapped in a house. It's tough to make a plot exciting when the main characters don't leave the same house for 75% of the book.
The second half of the book picked up more and by the end of the story, it was definitely engaging. It felt like it was leading up to a finale, but there is a fifth book in the series. Once you read the last few pages and the epilogue it will definitely make you wish the next book was written already. Alas, you'll probably have to wait until the end of 2018 to continue. I would recommend this series to middle-grade readers who are looking to get into fantasy without having to delve into the intrinsic magic systems and vast world-building that some series have.
I Know Her Name: a poetry book from the pages of You Won't Know Her Name
10.0
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In the sixth grade, a girl’s life was turned upside down by a series of horrific bullying events. ...
poems poetry poetry collection bullying teen teens
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated All The Broken Pieces in Books
Feb 4, 2019
This book was heartbreaking at times. Matt has suffered a lot, and he is still blaming himself for the past. He is a character that you want to cheer for, and see succeed. The book also does a great job of showing how other characters were effected by the war, and how that eventually has an impact on Matt's life.
I would consider this book a must read for its target age group.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2067 KP) rated The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom in Books
Mar 9, 2018
This book was laugh out loud funny from start to finish with wonderful character growth and an engaging plot. My only complaint is that I didn't read it even sooner. With strong male and female characters, I think both boys and girls will equally love it. And adults will delight in this middle grade fractured fairy tale as well.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-heros-guide-to-saving-your.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 in Books
Oct 28, 2018
I also really liked that the author did her research. The book depicted events as accurately as possible. She also include a section at the end that was facts about the hurricane. Many of these facts were things I never knew, so it was nice to learn something new from an unexpected place.
This book would be a great way to teach kids about natural disasters, and introduced them to the history of hurricane Katrina.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated Curse of the Dead-Eyed Doll in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I wanted to read this book because the title reminded me of a John Bellairs book and then i found out it was based on the Robert doll!
So thanks, Jolly Fish Press, because it was an absolute delight!
Al for some reason taunts a doll in a museum and starts to see spooky things. Nothing too nefarious, thought, because this is a middle grade book.
The atmosphere is wonderfully creepy as Al wonders if he's really being haunted or losing his mind.
I really liked the illustrations. I feel they added a lot to the atmosphere of the story.
Tokoyo, The Samurai's Daughter
8.0
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An adventurous girl! Most noble-born girls of Tokoyo’s age learn to sing, paint, and write...
diverse books middle grade fantasy
Latin Prose Composition
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This classic Latin composition book has been in use throughout the world for over 100 years. It...
Exposed at the Back
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Norway's most powerful football agent, the charismatic and ruthless Arild Golden, is found brutally...
One Boy's War
9.0
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ENGLAND, SUMMER 1940. Following a brush with death in the Irish Sea, 10-year-old Käfer Avigdor...
War World War 2 Children Hitler Germany Historical Fiction