In My Mailbox (62)

Library Divergent By Veronica Roth Legend By Marie Lu Meet Kirsten Molly Learns a Lesson I Hunt Killers By Barry Lyga The Daughters By Joanna Philbin Bought The Divergent Box Set by Veronica Roth

Meet Molly: An American Girl Series (#1)

Summary:

"While her father is away fighting in World War II, Molly finds her life full of change as she eats terrible vegetables from the victory garden and plans revenge on her brother for ruining her Halloween."

Library Lovers: BOTD #16

I am still sick, so Amazon will do that intereppting for me, but I do have to say I just discovered that Carolyn Meyer has written more Young Royal books, and I may be 21, but I uber excited to read them! I felt this book could have had a little more to it, but overall I liked it, cause what we here mostly of Catherine of Aragon is of when she was forced off her throne by the King and Anne Boleynn and how she died alone on a small estate, still refering to herself as Queen, but this is the 1st time, we hear of how she got to the thrown and being King Henry VIII's wife.

And from help of Amazon..

"Meyer gives voice to Catherine of Aragon as she recounts the story of her betrothals and marriages. The political and economic gains and machinations upon which these unions were based are clearly chronicled in this carefully researched offering. Catherine's dramatic narrative begins as she embarks, at the age of 15, on the arduous journey from Spain to England to become the wife of Prince Arthur, a match made for her when she was only three. She tells of her life in England, moving from the enviable position of a future queen to that of a young girl far from home who is beholden to the generosity of the king of England. After six months of an unconsummated marriage, Catherine is widowed. Diplomatic negotiations rule her life as she is betrothed to his younger brother, the future King Henry VIII, but the path to that marriage is strewn with international agreements that are made and revoked. Once Prince Henry becomes king, he marries Catherine and this union lasts some 24 years until he turns to Ann Boleyn. Through it all, Catherine is a pawn. Meyer seamlessly provides details about customs and beliefs in bringing history to life. Her Catherine develops from a callow young girl into a woman who fights for her rights as much as the times permitted. As in Mary, Bloody Mary (Harcourt, 1999), the author's rich prose style draws readers in as her skill at characterization creates a protagonist who evokes compassion"

Library Lovers: BOTD # 10

Mick Harte Was Here is one of my FAVORITE books I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE it! The book isn't long and is directing for younger readers. However, as older readers you can appreciate this book for what it is... Mick Harte Was Here is a book about a family dealing to cope with the lose of their son/brother Mick. Who died at the age of 12, in a bicycling accident. The book is comically, narrating by his 8th grade sister Pheobe who tells us what kind of person Mick was and how her family is dealing with his death. The book is special and unless you have a heart made out of coal... YOU WILL CRY!....

Library Lovers: BOTD #9

 

I am going to be honest in saying personally I never fell in love with this book, although I read it in 5th grade and like I've said on my About Me.. once a book has been assigned for school, I lose interest. So the book never really had a chance for me to like it. I do, remember that I did forget to turn it back in to the school. So.. OOPS. Here is the generic description of the book...

The story starts out simply enough: Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in the fifth grade--he wants it so bad he can taste it. He's been practicing all summer, running in the fields around his farmhouse until he collapses in a sweat. Then a tomboy named Leslie Burke moves into the farmhouse next door and changes his life forever. Not only does Leslie not look or act like any girls Jess knows, but she also turns out to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. After getting over the shock and humiliation of being beaten by a girl, Jess begins to think Leslie might be okay. Despite their superficial differences, it's clear that Jess and Leslie are soul mates. The two create a secret kingdom in the woods named Terabithia, where the only way to get into the castle is by swinging out over a gully on an enchanted rope. Here they reign as king and queen, fighting off imaginary giants and the walking dead, sharing stories and dreams, and plotting against the schoolmates who tease them. Jess and Leslie find solace in the sanctuary of Terabithia until a tragedy strikes and the two are separated forever. In a style that is both plain and powerful, Katherine Paterson's characters will stir your heart and put a lump in your throat.

So.. thank you Amazon for that... I remember all this about the book and of course it is now a movie.. but although I never enjoyed the book, I know it is widely known to be a beloved classic. Therefore GO read it! = )

Library Lovers: BOTD #8

For some reason this book always made me sad and I'm not really sure why, but overall it is a sweet classic tale. Sara Crewe is sent to Miss Minchin's boarding school with elaborate orders from her father that she be well taken care of, have her  own room, maid and anything else she asks for. This rubs Miss Minchin and the other girls at the boarding school the wrong way.. teasing her and calling her "Princess Sara" besides the way she carries herself, Sara is anything but a spoiled little princess. She is sweet, kind and imaginative. She even befriends a scullery maid named Becky. Unfortunately Sara's father dies and has lost his fortune. Miss Minchin, allows Sara to stay at the boarding school as a servant. During these hard times Sara keeps her spirits up by pretending she is intend a Princess. Soon, a neighbor moves in and she recognizes him to be from her native land of India. She befriends him and all turns around for Sarah. Obviously I am not just going to give away the ending.

Library Lovers: BOTD #7

I really think I was the only 4th grader reading Anne of Green Gables. I don't know how I got this book and to be honest I don't really know why I like this book. I think it's because I love Period/Era books. I love the idea of living in the past. I will have to read this book again to see if I really truly like it... for it's writing and story and not just cause I was an 8 year old who liked the idea of being Anne.  

The story goes like this...Brother and Sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decided to adopt an ophan Boy, instead an eleven year old girl named Anne Shirley is sent to them. Anne is imaginative,talkative and precocious, she adapts to her new life on the farm rather quickly. The book pretty much follows Anne's life going to school. her adventures and mistakes; up til she is 16. This is the 1st book in the series and has bee n adapted into many tv series, cartoons, and made for TV movies.

Library Lovers: BOTD #6

  Well Happy Super Sunday, for all you football lovers! Who are you rooting for? I am neither a huge fan of the Packers or the Steelers, but I will be spending my day, on the couch with my Fiance, eating chips and hot dogs, while cheering on good ole Green Bay. It was an easy choice who I'd root for really, the Steeler have too many Superbowl Rings, plus I'm still bitter over them beating The Cardinals awhile back AND Green Bay is one of the Original Football teams and my Grandma Thomas liked them... therefore the pros overpower the cons. =) Got My Fingers Crossed!

How can you not love the story of The Giving Tree? Really a book we should continue to read through out our lives to remind us to give, but also not to be selfish. The book is heart warming and truly timeless. Readable for all ages. If you haven't read the story of the Giving Tree, it goes simply like this... a boy eats the apples of the tree, plays on the tree and as he gets older, he wants more from the tree and the tree keeps on giving. With a touching ending, we can all learn a little kindness from reading this story. Shel Silverstein in general is a unique and talented author and poet.

Library Lovers: BOTD #5

I'm pretty sure my Grandma Bumb gave me this book about 7 Christmas's in a row. Anyways, 

The Indian Cupboard is a pretty straight-forward title. A teen boy named Omri, receives a cupboard from his brother for his birthday; one night he puts the toy indian into the cupboard locks it with his Great Grandmas key and wakes up the next morning to find his toy Indian is now a real mini Indian. Trouble ensues when Omri's friend uses the cabinet for his toy Cowboy and well lets say the cliche rivalry begins with these two mini sized  characters. The book is overall unique and appeals to most age groups and both genders, a good read for sure. And if you like it, there a three more books after this one, although I have not read any of them = /.

Library Lovers: BOTD #4

 

 Before Stuart Little was a cute animated in the movies and voiced by Michael J. Fox he was a character in a book. This book has a special place in heart because it was a book my Grandma Thomas would read to me, mainly after I would refuse to read it, cause it was TOO boring... I was like 8, most books were TOO boring to me then... since then I have read it though and although it is a cute movie, the book is better.

So, for those who haven't read the book or seen the movie... Stuart Little is about a little mouse, who gets adopted by the little family. He goes on adventures with his big brother and sometimes gets put into danger, like when he is racing toy yachts on the lake. Stuart also becomes friends with a bird named Margaux who is injured by an evil hawk when he finds her.  Overall it is a cute innovative tale.

Library Lovers: BOTD #3

 

Charlotte's Web still to this day makes my Aunts cry.. it is the perfect tale for young readers about death and acceptance and plain just growing up.... it honest while still leaving the readers innocence in tact.

The story is just as much about a pig named Wilbur, as it is about a Spider named Charlotte. (the only spider I will EVER like too). The story begins when Wilbur is born as the runt of the litter and is about to be killed by the farmer until the farmers daughter Fern begs that he not be killed. Wilbur becomes her pets and lives a happy life with Fern until he is sold to another farmer and faces the same faint he did when he was a runt. He is going to be slaughtered, for Christmas dinner. Until is friend a clever spider named Charlotte starts writing clever messages above his stall in her web. This ultimately saving Wilbur and making him a special pig. Although, most of us know how the story ends, I will leave out the ending for those who may not have read it yet. Overall, it is a heart warming story and a story that all children must read, some point in there life.

Library Lover Book of The Day #2

Before There was Harry Potter and Twilight, there were the Chronicles of Narnia. The most known book of the series being The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. C.S Lewis' beautifully written story has enchanted many kids through out time; I can still remember my first time reading this book in school.

The book is set in WWII era of England.. The Story begins when siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy go to the countryside to live with Professor Digory Kirke. While living there, they discovered a wardrobe that when you enter it, leads to another world called Narnia. When the children arrive in Narnia, they discover it is ruled by an evil ice queen known as the The White Witch. With the help of there lion friend Aslan and a few other creatures they fight to save the kingdom.

Recently made into feature films the 1st book and the series have become popular all over again. This is definitely a great read.. it is one of those books that every beginning read should read.

Library Lover Book of The Day #1

February is Library Lover Month... As well as Black History Month, Adopt A Rescue Rabbit Month, American Heart Month.. Etc. (http://womeninbusiness.about.com/od/diversityeventcalendars/a/nat-month-feb.htm) SO in spirit of Library Lover Month (which I am) I am going to write a blog EVERYDAY (or at least try to).

 

I choose to start day one of LL:BOTD with Island of the Blue Dolphins, because It is a book most kids will read at LEAST once in school. I cannot even count how many times I have read this book and although it isn't a book I particularly love it is a cute book to read.

The book is a true story about an Indian girl name Wonapalei or her secret tribe name Karana who lives on an island off the coast of California. Karana's tribe leaves the island, but Karana decides to stay. Her brother Ramo and her have to fend for themselves learning how to build shelter and hunt food. The book sums up 18 years of her life on the island until she is eventually rescued. Island of the Blue Dolphins is a Newberry winning Children's book, however it has a very mature tone to it, making it appealing to all ages.

Currently Reading: Girls of Murder City By Douglas Perry

Top 10 Children's Classics

This is a list of my top 10 favorite Children s classics. With the exception of children s books that are series and staying in the age range of 3-8 years old. Again, these are books that are MY personal favorites and are special to me for many reasons. A lot of them being associated with my Grandma Thomas who passed away almost 3 years ago and always encouraged me to read and had A lot of these books lying around.

1. Love You Forver

The reason I consider this book a classic, because it is the perfect book to read to your child at night; So that they know how much you love them at all stages of their life. This book is special to me cause my mom, read it to me when I was little and the saying is something we still say to each other...

"I'll Love You Forever, I'll Like You Forever, As Long as I'm Living; My Baby You'll Be"

Also, the illustrations were always fun to look at.

2. If You Give a Mouse A Cookie

This book was an instant classic! From the insanely cute pictures to the absurdity of what would happen if you really gave a mouse a cookie, that would give both you and child the giggles.

3. Where The Wild Things Are

  A Story of a little boy who didn't want to eat his dinner and go to sleep, is something every little monster and parent can relate too. As a child you may not understand the underlying meaning of the book, but the illustrations and idea of a young boy being King of an island of monsters is entertaining in itself. No matter if you got the moral of the story the book always stuck in your mind. Didn't It?

4. Make Way For Ducklings

  Make way for Ducklings is a heart warming tale of Mrs.Mallard and her eight ducklings traveling around Boston, as Mrs. Mallard looks for a safe place to raise her ducklings. The story so near and dear to hearts that they actually have a Make Way For Ducklings bronze sculpture in Boston's Botanical Gardens. This book is near and dear to me especially since it is one of many books my Grandma read to me.

 

5. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

A colorful and entertaining book, that encourages reading and has an interactive layout that keeps kids intrigued and happy. 

6. Goodnight, Moon

Goodnight Moon, is the ultimate bedtime story, it is short and sweet and usually has kids asking you to read it one more time, before they have to say Goodnight Moon, themselves.

7. Courduroy

The tale of a bear with a missing button, waiting in a department store to be adopted is a heart warming tale.

8. The Polar Express

 A clever and perfect holiday classic about a boys journey to the North Pole. 

9. The Story About Ping

Ping live with his Parents, his siblings and forty-two cousins, until one day Ping goes on his own adventure and gets himself lost.

10. The Story of Ferdinand

A story of a bull who would rather smell flowers all day then bull fight, teaches kids to celebrate diversity and to it's ok, to be different.