Ginger Pye

Title:  Ginger Pye

Author:  Eleanor Estes

Illustrator:  Edward Ardizzone

Series:  The Pyes #1

Publisher:  HMH Books for Young Readers

Date Published:  1951

Genre:  Middle Grade, Contemporary

Rating:  ⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Okay, so the Pye boy really wants one of the new puppies from a neighbor's house. He even has his puppy picked out and everything. He has to raise a dollar to buy the puppy, and he finds out another boy wants to buy his particular puppy as well. After doing a chore for a friend, he gets his dog. The family loves the dog, but a mysterious person with a yellow hat keeps spying on them and the dog. Sadly, the puppy gets stolen, and they spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to find out who took the dog. 

-    Gnome and I were incredibly frustrated and bored with the story and the characters. It was so blatantly obvious who took the dog, but the kids were so wrapped up in some "unsavory" character that they made up that they couldn't figure it out. Gnome and I frequently looked at each other and commented on the stupidity of the characters, even the adults. 

-    You know that type of old person that likes to go off on random unimportant tangents while telling a story, and the story becomes this long, winding, boring, and kinda useless story? That was this book! The random tangents were SO obnoxious and pointless.

-    This makes Newbery Award book number 31 for me. I hope and pray that the next book is better.

Trigger Warning:  Animal Abuse

The African Queen

My Thoughts:

-    This was a really good movie. I was surprised! It was thrilling and very entertaining.

-    I finally get the Humphrey Bogart appeal! Even though he was really dirty and grimy for most of the movie, he was kind of attractive. I think it is because his character was a real man! He did what he had to do, and he didn't complain. This is my new favorite Bogart role!

-    I don't believe for a second that Charlie was English. Bogart is 100% American. His accent was so non-English!

-    Katherine Hepburn was perfect as always! She has such strength, and only Katherine could have pulled off a role like this!

-    I was surprised at how much I laughed during the movie. The banter between Charlie and Rosie was really fun, and the hippo part cracked me up!

-    I wonder if this is based on a true story. I hope it is. The plot was simple, but it was very thrilling to watch these 2 characters battle the river and nature. 

-    The ending was perfect! 

Father's Little Dividend

My Thoughts:

-    This DVD needs to be re-mastered cause it looks terrible.  Father of the Bride didn't look this bad.  audio is pretty bad too.

-    My hubby is going to react a lot like Stanley Banks when our little gnome gets married and has a kid.

-    Kay looks about as pregnant as a stork.  Dang she is a thin thing.  Elizabeth Taylor was so pretty!

-    There are a few dramatic parts that I was kinda like "oh brother" about.

-    I LOVE Spencer Tracy.  He is so believable in any role he plays.  He is the best part of this movie!