Another great installment in the series. I'm glad that Eva was able to solve the mystery with the help of old friends and new friends.Another great installment in the series. I'm glad that Eva was able to solve the mystery with the help of old friends and new friends....more
Another cute installment in this children's transitional series. This one has a little bit of a spooky vibe to it and primarily focuses on what it meaAnother cute installment in this children's transitional series. This one has a little bit of a spooky vibe to it and primarily focuses on what it means to make new friends....more
This was published in 2015 and there are a few moments where that truly shows. I'm not sure how adults can read tI'm going to leave this one unrated.
This was published in 2015 and there are a few moments where that truly shows. I'm not sure how adults can read this in 2024 and not see this. I understand that this is a beloved series, but there are a more than few things that made me cringe while reading this book. I enjoyed the first book, but I'm not really sure how things went wrong with this particular installment....more
A cute children's story about a rabbit and chipmunk who are tired of being good. When they set out to do some "bad" things, the other animals can't heA cute children's story about a rabbit and chipmunk who are tired of being good. When they set out to do some "bad" things, the other animals can't help but to perceive them as kind and caring. I finished this in one sitting and recommend it for ages 6-8. It's great for those who are already fans of Megan McDonald. The artwork by Scott Nash works perfectly with the text....more
A great early chapter book that explores fantastical themes and STEM based elements. If you have a younger reader that's interested in sci-fi/fantasy A great early chapter book that explores fantastical themes and STEM based elements. If you have a younger reader that's interested in sci-fi/fantasy this is definitely a series that I would recommend checking out....more
Night of the Ninjas is definitely a product of it's time and contains some inaccuracies/oversimplificationsAnother book in the series is completed....
Night of the Ninjas is definitely a product of it's time and contains some inaccuracies/oversimplifications. I would recommend reading this one in tandem with the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers that specifically goes into the history of ninjas and Samari. Jack and Annie are sent on another mission to help out the mysterious M (I won't say who this is) and end up in ancient Japan. It pretty much follows the same structure as the rest of the books in the series. I still think that Osborne does a great job balancing out Jack and Annie as main characters. I'm hoping that we get to see some greater character development in future installments in the series. I'll be slowly continuing my read of the series. ...more
This was another fun installment in the Magic Tree House series. It's a perfect addition to the series for anAnnie and Jack are on another adventure!
This was another fun installment in the Magic Tree House series. It's a perfect addition to the series for any younger reader that may enjoy pirates. I was pleasantly surprised about the intensity of this one considering that Jack and Annie almost get stuck on the island. Readers finally get more answers about the mysterious "M." The reveal actually had me a little shocked! I wasn't expecting "M" to be that specific person and it adds to the thrill of the series as a whole. These aren't necessarily the best written children's chapter books that I've encountered, but they're fun and I understand why they have so much appeal for younger readers....more
I finally started this series. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it because it’s super popular but I actually enjoyed this first installmentI finally started this series. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it because it’s super popular but I actually enjoyed this first installment. Heidi is attending school for the first time and she’s rather uncomfortable with being in new classes and making new friends. And then she has to deal with a classroom bully.
This is a great book for younger readers, who are interested in starting chapter books, and it’s also a great book for younger readers, who are struggling with reading on level. I think that the combination of text and illustrations will be of great comfort for those who are transitioning from picture books to chapter books. I found the story to be easily digestible and fun for those who are looking for a little bit more fantasy as younger readers. I’m excited to dive into the next book in the series and see exactly what’s going to happen when Heidi attempts to handle her bully. ...more
A new to me chapter book series that features dragons! I recently acquired this series for my own library and was extremely excited to pick up anotherA new to me chapter book series that features dragons! I recently acquired this series for my own library and was extremely excited to pick up another series that features dragons. I didn't read the synopsis for this one so I just assumed that dragons were the center of the story (based on the cover); however, I quickly found that the series actually focuses on three students who find themselves transported to this magical world that features dragons. This is a quick and easy read that focuses on friendship and teamwork. The writing isn't necessarily the best, but younger readers who are interested in dragons will find themselves entertained and will want to continue the rest of the series. To be quite honest, I enjoyed the book and I'm excited two check out the next two adventures that the characters will embark on to save Imperia. Overall, a solid beginning to a new series. I would recommend this for kids in 2nd-3rd grade or anyone that is a fan of dragons!...more
This was really cute! I’ve seen the Owl Diaries around the library for ages but I’ve ever taken the time to read one. The story focuses on a young owlThis was really cute! I’ve seen the Owl Diaries around the library for ages but I’ve ever taken the time to read one. The story focuses on a young owl named Eva who has just received a new diary. In this particular installment in the series, Eva decides to create a Spring festival for her classmates. She quickly gets overwhelmed and realizes that sometimes it’s okay to ask for help. I really enjoyed the messaging in this book because even as an adult I have a tendency to take on projects that I can’t accomplish myself and then refuse to ask for help. This was a great reminder for me that sometimes you need help and it’s okay to ask. The illustrations that accompanied the text were great and I really enjoyed them. Overall, this was a great start to the series and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the books. This is perfect for 1st-2nd grade readers. ...more
Whew child this! This book does not hold up. I don't exactly remember reading it as a child, but I'm not sure that I would have connected the dots witWhew child this! This book does not hold up. I don't exactly remember reading it as a child, but I'm not sure that I would have connected the dots with the number of issues I had reading this book as an adult.
First, I don't think I need to give a description of this one. So many people are familiar with the story of Peter Pan. What many may not realize is how difficult it may be to read this book in a 21st century setting. It's without fail a title of it's time and my one star rating isn't solely based on it's problematic elements. I'm able to read a book and recognize it's place in literature. However, THIS BOOK IS BORING AF! Why did no one explain that this book is a slog to get through?!? I anticipated the racism, the misogyny, the weird sexual tid bits, but MY GOODNESS what child has ever found this book remotely entertaining?!? Hook has to be the driest and corniest villain on the planet (and yes I am aware that some people interpret Hook as the Neverland version of Mr. Darling). AND PETER?!? I would never want to be friends with him or be in his presence. He's crude, rude, cruel, selfish, unkind and more. I did not realize how he treated Wendy and her brothers until I read this. It appears that the adaptations of this, particularly the ones for kids, soften his personality tremendously.
Now for the problematic pieces of this book. If any one decides to pick up this book please be aware of the harmful content towards Native and Indigenous communities. I kept a tally of how many times racial slurs were used towards the community and it's was over 20. While this is term that was common during the time of Barrie, it doesn't make it right nor easier to consume. There were some interesting (and I don't mean interesting in a good way) things done in terms of gender roles where Wendy is often forced to take on the role of a motherly figure as well as that of wife insinuating that those are roles that she should aspire to fill as she gets older. Then there was the quote in which the Native community in Neverland addressed Peter as "great White father." Ya'll--I promise I pressed the rewind button on my audibook several times to make sure I heard that line correctly. It is definitely in line with an imperialistic mindset. I won't even dive into the character design of Tiger Lily. Wendy is also hypersexualized in one scene in the very beginning that made me feel a little uncomfortable. The narrator states something along the lines of "now Wendy was every inch a woman." There were also lines about the effect that Peter's voice had on women. All of it, regardless of intent, felt a little awkward to me as an adult reader consuming a children's classic. As I stated before, I understand that a lot of these ideals and terms were commonly used or taught during the publication of this book; however, it wouldn't be fair for me to review it and leave out my thoughts regarding this content.
I'm working on a project right now where I go through and read childhood classics and analyze them for their readability in the 21st century. It's a way to provide ways for people to have discussion about classics that often perpetuated harmful stereotypes and/or ideals and how we move forward in modern children's literature by providing strong readalikes for these sometimes challenging books. Overall, I didn't enjoy this one. Regardless of it's place in time, I found it to be incredibly dry and boring....more
This is such a great start to a series that I would recommend for younger kids who are interested in reading Percy Jackson, but may not be ready for sThis is such a great start to a series that I would recommend for younger kids who are interested in reading Percy Jackson, but may not be ready for such advanced text. Each book of the series focuses on one specific goddess and this is about Athena.
Athena the Brain opens with Athena learning that her father is Zeus and that he wants her to attend Mount Olympus Academy. The plot itself revolves around Athena meeting the other goddess characters including Aphrodite, Artemis, Persephone, and Pandora. Medusa plays the role of the mean girl. And while it seems to have no purpose, readers find out the origin of her feelings towards the end of the book. Athena also interacts with some of the gods that are in training like Poseidon. Because of the target audience, I found this book to be fast paced and fun. It's not 100 percent accurate in terms of the myths, but this series was created to generate some interest around Greek mythology for younger readers. The complexity would not be appropriate in this series. It does; however, have some emphasis on great themes like friendship. There are also some fun and interesting scenes like how they have a class project where they control Greek heroes attempting to keep them alive. Overall, this is a great chapter books series that I've seen a lot of children at the library really enjoy. If you know of a child that wants to read Percy, but may be a little too young I would recommend giving this one a try. ...more
Update 2023: This series is still working for me! I think I’m really interested in who M is so I’m going to continue working my way through the seriesUpdate 2023: This series is still working for me! I think I’m really interested in who M is so I’m going to continue working my way through the series slowly. Honestly, I’m surprised about how well some of these are holding up after having been published in the 90s!
This was another cute installment in the Magic Tree House series which takes place in ancient Egypt and I feel love any book with Egyptian themes. I definitely was intrigued by the mummy ghost and why she needed their help. Once again we also see the appearance of something that belongs to "M" so I'm hoping that in the next few installments we figure out who that is. I'll be doing a full review of this one soon....more
3.5 Stars. This was another cute installment to the series! I'm a huge fan of dinosaurs so I can't lie and say that I didn't enjoy the first one just 3.5 Stars. This was another cute installment to the series! I'm a huge fan of dinosaurs so I can't lie and say that I didn't enjoy the first one just a tad better. Nevertheless, I did enjoy learning more about knights and the overall layout of the castle. In terms of character development, I think that I'm really going to enjoy Annie. She's so fearless and while Jack may have more knowledge about random things, I think that it's Annie's courage and quick thinking that gets them out of sticky situations. The artwork accompanied the text perfectly and I still see why this is such a fun and somewhat addictive series for younger readers. With the mystery surrounding this letter "M" on the medallion as well as the bookmark, I'm excited to dive further into the rest of the series....more
2023 Update: 3.5 Stars. I have no idea why I never continued on with the series, but I figured there's no better time than the present to go ahead and2023 Update: 3.5 Stars. I have no idea why I never continued on with the series, but I figured there's no better time than the present to go ahead and try to work my way through it now. As the series opener, Mary Pope Osborne did an excellent job in choosing dinosaurs. If there is one animal that attracts younger readers, it's dinosaurs. The story itself follows Jack and Annie as they find a treehouse that magically allows them to travel places. There isn't necessarily much that happens, but the formatting , beautiful illustrations, and high energy of the story will definitely appeal to younger readers. I'm excited to continue on with the books as well as the graphic novels.
Lmao. No one judge me. I read this book in like 30 minutes. It’s a children’s chapter book and had some really interesting dynamics. I may read a few more but I won’t read the entire series. I can see why kids love them but I don’t know how much of these I would be able to handle has an adult haha. I’ll post my full review here when it goes live on my blog....more
This was such an adorable book that deals with issues of fitting in. I'm so glad that I took the opportunity to actually listen to it on audiobook. ItThis was such an adorable book that deals with issues of fitting in. I'm so glad that I took the opportunity to actually listen to it on audiobook. It's great for kids who are having problems fitting in or so desperately want to fit in with everyone else around them. The main character was adorable and it was great to see how much she learned about herself towards the end of the book. I think this is a great series for children who are interested in magic or prefer books that take place at magical schools. Some of the writing was problematic for me especially looking at the naivety of the main characters; however, I do recognize the audience it is written for and I think it would be a great choice for those who are interested. ...more
This was such an interesting experience. Like I've stated in most of my updates, I've never read the original classic tale of the Wizard of Oz. Sure IThis was such an interesting experience. Like I've stated in most of my updates, I've never read the original classic tale of the Wizard of Oz. Sure I've seen the adaptations in books and movies, but I've never even thought about the original text. I was super excited to get to this book and count it as one my classics for the year. I must say there were a lot of different things in this book that frequently get left out in the movies or book adaptations. I found the writing easy to follow and the narrator interesting; however, I did find that Dorothy is quite naive. She has the solutions to a lot of her problems but for some reason she can't seem to really figure anything out. One of the most interesting parts of this book was the fact that I realized how much time Dorothy actually spent with the Wicked Witch of the West. Most people have no idea that she was actually kept captive for a little while. I always assumed that Dorothy just kind of kills her, but there's more to it than that. Overall, I think it's a great children's classic and I enjoyed it for the most part. I'm interested in continuing the series but I haven't decided when I'll pick it up. ...more
Okay so I'm 25 and I've never read The Chronicles of Narnia and I've clearly been missing out. It was great to see how the story began. I'm currently Okay so I'm 25 and I've never read The Chronicles of Narnia and I've clearly been missing out. It was great to see how the story began. I'm currently listening to the audio drama of these and it's a great experience! ...more
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