children’s chapter – Page 4

83 Days in Mariupol by Dan Brown

5 stars Graphic Novel Children’s/ Middle School

Don Brown…Don Brown…your books just keep on getting better. I’ve been reading his books for a while now and I love how he drives deep into the subject matter and tells it, like it is. Nothing is sugar coated but the subject matter is softened for his target audience. It’s important to know something about the people of Mariupol and where this city is located.

A war broke out battling to gain control of it. If I said Ukraine, I’m sure the picture of Mariupol becomes clearer and now, you’re wondering how this city played a part in this war.

Mariupol was like other cities in Ukraine during the war. They would be under attack.

This city was special though. Comprised of 400,000 citizens, they were the first ones to come under attack from Russia because of their uniqueness. Mariupol was a port city, the gateway to the Sea of Azov which was important to the agriculture and financial sector of Ukraine but would also be a great benefit to Russia.

Brown takes us there, to where the action is. In the Prologue, he explains the history of the area yet we’re not ready for what is coming. February 24,2022 is the date that Vladimir Putin decides to invade Ukraine and that’s the date this story begins. Reflected in black and white graphic novel boxes, the story is told in dateline format which is perfect.

The story is not a happy one as the citizens and the Ukrainian Soldiers try to take cover and they’re fighting back against an army who are relentless. The war tears up the book.

The citizens who are trying to stay safe as running out of options. Too many battles and destruction is everywhere.

The number of casualties is rising, and the fighting continues. My adrenaline was rising, and I caught myself sitting on the edge of my seat as the action intensified. Yes Brown, you did it again, you brought this event right into my home. 5 stars

History Smashers: The Mayflower by Kate Messner

5 stars Nonfiction Middle School/Children’s Chapter

What a fun way to learn history! I’ll be honest and tell you that I didn’t make it all the way through this book, it was due back to the library before I got to finish it. I did make it through most of the book and what I read was amazing! I’m not into history but I really wish I was. In school, I hated history but that was many, many years ago. Now, with all the amazing books that they have available, I think I would love to learn about history. History is now presented in a fun, entertaining way yet when I was learning about it, it seemed like it was all dates and facts. I had heard about these History Smashers books, and I found the Mayflower edition at my local library, so I checked it out. It’s crazy the information I learned in these pages!

I loved the language of this book and how this book felt as if, it was talking to me.

The author was explaining the information to me in a fun and informative way. Engaging the reader, the author addresses the many notions and beliefs that surround the Mayflower and lead me on a path of discovery.

I liked this way of learning vs. being told the facts of this important event, for I felt more engaged and receptive of what they were trying to communicate. With the accompanying black and white pictures, this book kept my attention and it moved along quickly. Using cartoon drawings, actual photographs and diagrams, the book’s illustrations are a great addition to this book.

I was also impressed with how many different topics they cover. There is so much to love about this book. Be ready to submerge yourself in the Mayflower when you pick up this book, as you’ll be amazed at what you’ll discover about this famous voyage. Definitely a 5-star read.

“Paintings like this one make it easy for people to assume that Pilgrims walked around in black clothes all the time. But historical documents tell a different story.”

“So, what would you have eaten during the trip if you’d been on board the Mayflower? Biscuits – But these weren’t the nice, soft, fluffy biscuits we eat with gravy today. They were hard and dry, so they wouldn’t get moldy. And after a while, they became infested with little bugs called weevils. (But look on the bright side! At least that added some protein….)” (There were other food/drink items listed too).

A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt

5 stars Children’s Chapter

You shall have it; I will find a way. Samuel’s father was resourceful as he taught his son a valuable lesson, that day in January. It wasn’t about what his mother wanted for herself that day, it was what she wanted for others. As Samuel followed his father that day, a storm was moving in but his father had a job that he wanted to do.

Opening this book, I noticed this story had a unique setting. The characters clothing, their language, and how the characters went about their day was different than my typical day. Settled around the table one morning, Mama remarks that she wished, “we had a brown-eyed cow to give us milk for the baby” and for father’s tea. Immediately Papa stands up and gets ready to find that cow. His oldest son, Samuel gets ready to accompany him while Mama and the baby stay home. Before walking out the door, Papa takes his best Barlow knife and they set off.

The story gets interesting as Samuel and Papa go from neighbor-to-neighbor trading items they acquire from each neighbor. In the first trade, Papa trades his Barlow knife for some tin lanterns. The neighbor needed the Barlow knife but Samuel doesn’t know why Papa would trade the knife for the tin lanterns when his mother wanted a brown-eyed cow. Papa then trades the tin lantern to another neighbor for a book of poetry. This trading continues all day while the storm brews overhead. Papa and Samuel have some great conversations and I enjoyed listening to them talk, as they made their way around to their neighbors. They are creating some great memories while also working together. Samuel starts to get concerned over whether Mama will get her brown-eyed cow while Papa keeps trading, knowing that they need to get home before the storm hits.

This is a short chapter book containing twelve chapters. Most of the chapters were about 3-4 pages long and most of the chapters included one picture. The text was large and it was easy to read and the story was easy to follow. I think this would make a great read aloud as children would love the trading aspect of the book and the anticipation of whether and when, they actually get the brown-eyed cow. I thought it was a sweet gesture that mother asked for these items for others and not herself. The conversations that the father-son had together added to the adventure that they had together. This was a good-feel book and a simple yet entertaining adventure. Don’t let the cover of this book scare you away, as I feel there’s nothing enticing about it, read it for the contents inside. The name of the book is brought up a few times in the book and could be something that children could respond with, when reading this as a read aloud. 5 stars

Wildoak by C.C. Harrington

5 stars YA/ Middle School

Twelve-year old Maggie has been to over three different schools and she has come to the conclusion that one wants her. Her parents argue over her and she has no friends. She finds comfort in the tiny world that she has created at home, surrounded by the little critters that welcome her just as she is. School Nurse Nora knows Maggie all too well, for Maggie finds refuge in her office when the time is right. See, Maggie stutters and her disability is not accepted.

I cringed, oh……. did I cringe!! Maggie would do anything and I mean anything to get out of reading. The author got my attention as these words fell across the page:

“ she drove the keenly sharpened

point deep

down

into

the

soft

palm

her

left

hand.”

“Shock. Pain. Tears. The pencil protruded from her hand. The blood dripped. Those sweet words. Relief. Her Escape. It had worked. Again.”

As Maggie was dismissed from class, excitement and relief filled her head as again, she had dodged the bullet. She had found her way out of the classroom when it was close to her turn to read out-loud in the classroom. Maggie didn’t register the pain or discomfort that ran through her body for she was used to it, anything was easier than reading out loud.

Her parents feel there are two options for Maggie now: an institute for treatment or her grandfather who she hasn’t seen for years. All I knew was that Maggie would be leaving her tiny world at home. The only place where she felt comfortable, with her little critters, were staying home with her mom. Her grandfather was a doctor who lived in the country so I hoped that Maggie would find some new animal friends in her new surroundings.

We also meet Rumpus in this book. Rumpus was a birthday gift and what a surprise this was to both Rumpus and Anabella. Unprepared for her new snow leopard, Anabella orders Rumpus removed from her home when she returns home to find her home in disarray. Finding himself in another new surroundings, Rumpus is now in Wildoak Forest and he must learn how to survive on his own.

Even though she didn’t know her grandfather very well, I felt that Maggie was relieved and comfortable around him. She seemed to fit right into his world and he accepted her without trying to “fix her.” Maggie and her grandfather create a special bond based on acceptance and love.

Maggie discovers Rumpus inside Wildoak Forest and I loved their relationship. “Something was wrong. He stared at her and they were quiet, saying lots of things without saying anything at all.” It was supposed to be two weeks spent with her grandfather learning to overcome her stuttering yet during these two weeks, I felt Maggie was empowered and she totally forgot about her disability.

This was a fabulous story filled with struggles, emotions, and journeys. I highly recommend this book.

Odder by Katherine Applegate

4 stars Middle School/Children’s Chapter

He was warned yet the temptation was too great. He heard his mother’s words, for she had said it to him many times yet he thought he’d be safe. He wanted to go to the open sea and now, Odder finds himself at a rescue, facing the consequences for not listening to his mother’s warning. This new world that Odder finds himself in, is so different from the bay, will he ever make it back home?

Written in prose, I think this writing style helps convey the author’s message while making the book more approachable to more readers. Readers don’t give so overwhelmed with words and they can read the prose in sections. I feel that prose can create more emotion and response from its readers and I was glad to see that the author chooses this method to write this book.

This was an entertaining story about one otter yet I learned a great deal about his species in the process. Learning about rescue operations with these marine mammals was educational and enlightening also. I liked how this book was based on true events and how the events in the book came full circle. The last chapter of this book was my favorite. This would make a great read aloud, bedtime story or just a book to read on your own.

Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle: How Animals Get Ready For Winter by Paula Salas

5 stars Nonfiction Children’s

This is a very informative book and I liked that it covered more than just hibernate. Normally when we think of animals in winter, we think of hibernate but this book talks about what other animals do beside hibernate and this is greatly appreciated. I also liked that it covered some nontraditional animals which is always good to learn about. The illustrations are bright and colorful and the pages weren’t too busy and disturbing. Told in verse, this is a fun informative book. 5 stars

Dangerous Dolls of Delaware #12 (American Chillers) by Johnathan Rand

5 stars Children’s Chapter

I bought a few of these American Chiller books when I saw a display of them a couple years ago and I’m finally reading one of them. The cover of the books is what drew me in and I liked that the titles had different states in the U.S.A. in them. I have a thing for creepy dolls so naturally I started with this book. On a sidenote, I bought a handful of creepy dolls once at an estate sale and I bought them home. I was real excited about my purchase, thinking I’d stage them around the house or outside and post pictures of them on social media, well…….that plan didn’t work. My husband saw them and he told me to get them out of the house. I didn’t think he was serious at first but he was – absolutely, dead serious! Dang! I found some people who loved creepy dolls and handed them off and now, I know my husband can’t handle creepy dolls.

What a great read! I have to say that for a children’s book, it really was a terrific read. I found that it was a fast-paced book with a handful of characters and a solid story. I liked that most of the chapters ended in a cliffhanger so that it pushed me to read the next chapter and it was hard to put the book down and do something else. Each chapter was only about 2 to 5 pages in length so I could commit to a short reading time slot, if I had to but with this story, I wanted to continue. The book wasn’t gory or difficult-to-read with complicated words or scenes that I had to configure inside my head. This book had an entertaining storyline that felt realistic and I could see myself in the shoes of one of the main characters, if I was only younger. Depending on the reader and their maturity level, I think a third grader could handle reading this book.

Spencer (11) and his sister Serena (12), were out digging for fishing worms for Spencer. Digging deeper, Serena’s shovel made a dull thud. Whatever was down there, it had been down there a long time. Hoisting the box out, they pried the lid off, and the siblings discover two ordinary-looking dolls. What a disappointment! This was no buried treasure but perhaps they might be able to sell the old dolls and make some money. That was the logic they used to take those old dolls home and this was their first big mistake.

You can imagine where this story is going as the siblings take the dolls home. Soon, the siblings begin to feel that the dolls are taking on a life of their own. They’re no longer the ordinary plain dolls that they pulled out of the muddy hole. No, these dolls are something else. Needing to get some information on these dolls, they locate a woman who knows a great deal about dolls including the two dolls that they should have left in the box, buried down in the dirt.

As this lady tells the story of the two dolls that the siblings have in their possession, I’m planning my own course of action as I felt the kids were too. Putting this plan into play became more difficult than anticipated though and the story becomes more exciting as the pages flew by. These were only dolls, right? Two dolls and two siblings, they should be able to get this under control quite quickly, right? The answer would be yes, if the dolls were just plain ordinary dolls but they’re not. They’ll need a calm day of fishing if they can ever get rid of these dolls. 5 stars

Clarice the Brave by Lisa McMann

“It only takes 1 mouse to believe in you. And that mouse is me.”

This is a quote that Clarice’s mom heard from her father which is then passed down to Clarice. Clarice holds onto these words as she tries to care for her brother Charlies, aboard a pirate ship. Clarice and Charles are the only two remaining members of their family. As mice living aboard a ship, daily life at sea, has claimed the lives of the rest of their family members. Living in fear, the brothers live in a wooden crate by the pantry, this is their home. Clarice travels out for supplies but Charles prefers to stay securely inside the box, waiting on Clarice, the provider.

I found myself immediately absorbed into this story as Clarice describes the world around her. The ship was full, as the humans were filling up all the available space. They consisted of two groups of people: the crew/captain and the prisoners. Fighting erupts on the ship and the brothers hear the word, mutiny. What does this word even mean?

The brothers soon find out as Clarice finds himself in a smaller boat with some of the individuals from the ship and Special Lady. Packed with sailors, a mouse, and a cat, this boat which has been cast out into the sea, does have the captain aboard, which gave me some hope. Meanwhile, Charles is still aboard the ship. Charles the mouse who doesn’t like to move out his box needs to do something to stay alive without his brother.

Will the brothers ever be reunited again? What happens to the brothers as they float out in the sea in two different vessels? What a good adventure story, a story of friendship and family, a story that will stay with you.

Can You Track Down Bigfoot?: An Interactive Monster Hunt (You Choose: Monster Hunter) by Bradon Terrell

I wanted to track down Bigfoot, like who doesn’t?1? My son was telling me that there are some individuals at his work who actually belong to a group who does this. They go out on the weekends or take vacations and hunt for Bigfoot, seriously. Boy, was I intrigued! I wanted to know exactly how they did this and what they found. Were this people, ok? Sure, I’ve watched those shows on TV but I feel they hype things up but to actually talk to someone who has actually went out and hunted around looking for him, now that’s crazy! Do you think this is crazy? I think it’s fun and exciting but I don’t know if I would spend my free time doing it. When I saw this book at the library, I knew I had to read it. I wanted to know if I would learn anything.

I liked that this book included some of the famous pictures we all know surrounding Bigfoot. I think seeing these throughout the book made me feel that I was actually on a mission. I do enjoy reading these choose-your-own-ending books as it seems that you can spend however long you’d like, reading these books before you’re done with them. In this book, I liked that they sent you right back to the beginning every time that you finished one of the missions. This book did a great job setting up the scene and telling me about Bigfoot. As you read each story, the encounters that you’ll have will vary.

The book takes you on adventures with Bigfoot, The Skunk Ape of the Everglades, The Himalayan Yeti and there is some information about whether Bigfoot is real or just a hoax. At the back of the book, there are some interesting sections, so make sure you check them out. One was about the different Bigfoots in the world. From the Orang Pendak in Indonesia to the Big Greyman in Scotland (original name, huh?) to the Moehau in New Zealand and Ucu in Argentina these are creatures from around the world that individuals can’t explain. A man with yellow hair and large tusks? A man with glowing eyes and extra-large arms? These all sound interesting and I wonder just how similar they are to each other. The author also gives us other questions to consider while thinking about these creatures. There are also a couple other books listed and some internet sites an individual could use to find out more about Bigfoot. An index is also at the end of this book. I think this makes a great book for children who enjoy these types of stories as there is a lot of different stories within this book. This is not a scary book but carries a mysterious element to it, as you discover and uncover information about these unexplained creatures. 4 stars

Can You Net the Loch Ness Monster by Brandon Terrell & Matt Doeden

Do you search for Nessie in Scotland, Champ in New York or do you want to go to Africa to search for Mokele-mbembe, the choice is yours? I myself, started with the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland and then, came back to the beginning again and started other searches for the other creatures because I needed to know how they all would end. I also took alternative side options with each of them for that’s what’s so wonderful with these books, the possibilities are endless.

There are actual photographs in these books and a few of them, you will find familiar as they are popular with that creature. There is the blurry image of the Loch Ness Monster with its head poking up out of the water (or is that really a twisted tree branch in the water). Nevertheless, the photographs help reassure the reader that these creatures are real and that you’re on a mission to prove it. I enjoyed all the different directions this book takes you down and following these paths, they were never hard. The font size was large and easy-to-read which was good and it varied in size according to different tasks. I did feel that the book was lacking in drama department. The book does a great job in providing specific details and setting up the scenes but each of the actual events, they fell short for me. They were over before I knew it and it was time to move on. Where was the drama? The anticipation? I felt cheated. I was tracking down a famous, mysterious creature and I thought there needed to be more: more story and more excitement.

Make sure you check out the back of the book for a list of freshwater Lake Monsters Around the World. There are 7 monsters listed from Loch Ness in Scotland to Champ in the U.S. to Ogopogo in Canada to The Lake Van Monster in Turkey. There is also a glossary at the back, a few internet sites & books pertaining to the Loch Ness Monster, and a few questions relating to information in this book. I liked that this book also includes an index. I think this book provides some good basic information about the monsters presented inside it. 3 stars

Sample Text

“Going inside the cave would be a terrible risk. You could get trapped or lost. No. You’ll stay where you are and hope the shape returns. You wait and watch as long as you can. But nothing appears. After a while, you have to resurface before running out of air.

In the boat, you swap out your oxygen tanks and head back down. But it’s hopeless. You don’t see another hint of Nessie. As the sun drops low in the sky, you realize it’s time to head back.

This search has been a failure. But you’re not going to give up. Maybe tomorrow you’ll have better luck.

THE END

To read another adventure, turn to page 9

To learn more about lake monsters, turn to page 103”