Ban This Book

Goodreads Synopsis:    An inspiring tale of a fourth-grader who fights back when her favorite book is banned from the school library--by starting her own illegal locker library!

It all started the day Amy Anne Ollinger tried to check out her favorite book in the whole world, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, from the school library. That's when Mrs. Jones, the librarian, told her the bad news: her favorite book was banned! All because a classmate's mom thought the book wasn't appropriate for kids to read.

Amy Anne decides to fight back by starting a secret banned books library out of her locker. Soon, she finds herself on the front line of an unexpected battle over book banning, censorship, and who has the right to decide what she and her fellow students can read.

Reminiscent of the classic novel Frindle by Andrew Clements for its inspiring message, Ban This Book is a love letter to the written word and its power to give kids a voice.

My Thoughts:

-    Wonderful!! Everyone should read this!

-    I loved Amy Anne! I could relate to her on several levels, and I admire her courage to take a stand for something that means so much to her. 

-    I loved the different messages of this book. Kids can make a difference, and I love how Amy Anne and her friends made a difference in their school. I loved the message of people can't tell other people what to read. 

-    I loved how simple and poignant the story was. The story could have gotten complicated with school politics and policies, but it didn't. It was very straightforward, and I loved the child like perspective. 

-    Great book!! I can't gush enough.

Big Mush Happy Lump

Goodreads Says:    Sarah Andersen's hugely popular, world-famous Sarah's Scribbles comics are for those of us who boast bookstore-ready bodies and Netflix-ready hair, who are always down for all-night reading-in-bed parties and extremely exclusive after-hour one-person music festivals. 

In addition to the most recent Sarah's Scribbles fan favorites and dozens of all-new comics, this volume contains illustrated personal essays on Sarah's real-life experiences with anxiety, career, relationships and other adulthood challenges that will remind readers of Allie Brosh's Hyperbole and a Half and Jenny Lawson's Let's Pretend This Never Happened. The same uniquely frank, real, yet humorous and uplifting tone that makes Sarah's Scribbles so relatable blooms beautifully in this new longer form.

My Thoughts:

-    I love Sarah's books! They are so hilarious! Each page is a gem. 

-    I love sharing my favorite pages with hubby. He would get a kick out of them too. This is one of those books you just have to share.

-    The situations and topics are SO true!! It is what makes the book so funny.

-    I think any woman would get a kick out of this. It is mostly geared towards women, but I think guys would find it funny as well. 

-    I love how Sarah talked about being an introvert and how being social is hard. She did it in a very honest and humorous way. 

-    I can't to read more! 

Previous Sarah Scribbles book

Relax, I'm a Ninja

From Goodreads:    A Clan of ninjas in San Francisco may sound improbable-but as the son of a ninja Master, Tosh Ito knows what lurks in the shadows of his city. Or at least he thought he did. When a killer with a poisoned blade starts cutting down teens, Tosh enlists Amy Sato-newest ninja recruit, and his best friend's crush-and sets out to uncover the killer's identity. What they find is ninjutsu more evil than they could have ever imagined. As Amy and Tosh grow closer, they discover their connection unleashes a legendary power that could stop the murders. Problem is, that power may be exactly what the killer is looking for, and wielding it could cost them their souls.







My Thoughts:

-    I bought this when it came out, and it took me forever to get around to it. 

-    Sadly, I was really disappointed with this one. It really bummed me out because I have enjoyed other books from this author. 

-    The story starts out good, but the romance quickly takes over. It becomes so central to the story that when Tosh and Amy kiss, they are granted special powers. 

-    I really struggled to finish this. I wanted more action and cool Ninja missions and stuff. 

Reaper

Goodreads Synopsis:    Sixteen-year-old Rosie Wolf is sure when you die, you go straight to Paradise, until she wakes to discover she has died in an accident and that Paradise isn’t what she thought it would be.

Rosie Wolf was sure that when her dad died, he went to Paradise. After all, isn’t that where everyone went? But when Rosie wakes up in a strange hospital bed and finds out that she’s died in an accident, she learns things aren’t always what you think they will be.

Now her father feels further away than ever, and Rosie is left to deal with the Grim Reaper, who isn’t a man in a black cloak, but a beautiful woman with a bad attitude. The Grim Reaper tells Rosie that before she can move on to Paradise, she has to go back down to Earth and collect three souls. But Rosie quickly realizes it’s not so simple.

To complicate matters, Rosie meets Kyle, a boy who is different than anyone she’s ever known. He’s cute, smart, and funny. Rosie’s been warned to stay away from the living, but she doesn’t want to. What will happen if she doesn’t?

My Thoughts:

-    I had really high expectations for this book, and I wish I hadn't. Kyra is the daughter of one of my favorite authors, and I was so excited to read her book. I was expecting the deep haunting experience that I usually get with Carol's books.

-    I kept expecting a big twist or something, but it didn't come. In the end, I appreciated the subtlety and simplicity of the story. 

-    I really liked Rosie. I liked the way she thought. She was very straightforward, and she didn't over complicate things. 

-    This is the very first time where I actually pictured the author as the MC. It was cool!

-    Overall, I enjoyed the story, and I'm excited to read other books by Kyra. 

My Father's Dragon

Goodreads Says:    Elmer Elevator (narrator's father as a boy) runs away with an old alley cat to rescue a flying baby dragon being exploited on a faraway island. With the help of two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a fine-toothed comb, Elmer disarms the fiercest of beasts on Wild Island.













My Thoughts:

-    This was such a fun and endearing book! I loved it! Gnome loved it too. She can't wait to read the others.

-    Gnome and I both laughed a lot during the book. The way that the boy helps the animals with their problems is so funny. We especially laughed at the end. We were laughing so hard, we could barely read.

-    The pictures were so great! It really added to the book, and Gnome and I spent time just enjoying the detailed illustrations. 

-    I highly recommend this one! 

The Battle for Skandia

From Goodreads:    For Will and Evanlyn, freedom has never felt so fleeing.

Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, the Ranger's apprentice and the princess's plan to return to Araluen is spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by the warmweed's toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand, until old friends make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when they make a horrifying discovery: Skandia's borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights. 

If two kingdoms are to be saved, the unlikeliest of unions must be made. Will it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy? Or will past tensions spell doom for all? 

The battles and drama are nonstop in Book Four of this hugely popular epic.

My Thoughts:

-    I love this Skandia heavy book in the series! I enjoyed getting to know the Skandian culture better, and I liked visiting their country. It makes me excited to read the Brotherband series. 

-    Erak is such a great character! I loved getting to know him better, and I loved his interactions with Halt. I loved their mutual appreciation for each other. 

-    I love how important each character is to the story. They all have moments to shine. 

-    The battle sequences were awesome! I love the strategy and tactics. I would never want to go to war against John Flanagan. He is so brilliant! 

-    The humor in this book is so great! I laughed out loud several times, especially because of Halt and Erak. 

-    I'm so glad Will and Evanlyn got to go home. The ending in this book is one to celebrate!

Previous Ranger's Apprentice Books

  

The Collapse of Parenting

Goodreads Says:    "One of the premier experts on parenting, Dr. Leonard Sax brilliantly articulates the problems parents experience with their children, then gives solutions. If you have time to read only one book this year, read this one." --Meg Meeker, M.D., best-selling author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters and Strong Mothers, Strong Sons 

In The Collapse of Parenting, internationally acclaimed author Leonard Sax argues that rising levels of obesity, depression, and anxiety among young people can be traced to parents abdicating their authority. The result is children who have no standard of right and wrong, who lack discipline, and who look to their peers and the Internet for direction. Sax shows how parents must reassert their authority-by limiting time with screens, by encouraging better habits at the dinner table, and by teaching humility and perspective-to help their children thrive in an increasingly complicated world.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a really interesting read, and I think every parent could benefit from this book in some way.

-    There were too many statistics and numbers. I skimmed over a lot of them. 

-    The really enjoyed they way the author presented problems in our society, and I liked the solutions he came up with. They made sense to me. 

-    I altered a couple things in my parenting, and I've had great results. Instead of asking Gnome if she was ready to do homework, I started telling her it was time to do homework. I've gotten a lot less resistance, and homework has gone faster and smoother. Gnome has also been more responsive to doing chores and helping me with things. It has been great. 

-    I love how the book emphasizes family time and having good relationships with our kids. It made me want to do more family activities and spend more time with my girls. We can't have good relationships with our kids if we don't spend time with them. 

-    When my husband saw me reading this, he got interested and listened to the audiobook. He loved it. 

The Icebound Land

Goodreads Synopsis:    Kidnapped after the fierce battle with Lord Morgarath, Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as captives aboard a fearsome wolfship. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise–even defy his King. Expelled from the Rangers he has served so loyally, Halt is joined by Will's friend Horace as he travels toward Skandia. On their way, they are challenged constantly by freelance knights–but Horace knows a thing or two about combat. Soon he begins to attract the attention of knights and warlords for miles around with his uncanny skill. Even so, will they be in time to rescue Will from a horrific life of slavery?






My Thoughts:

-    These books are so amazing! I can't praise them enough!

-    This book breaks my heart, but it also mends it again. What happens to Will is so sad, and if you don't cheer and cry a little bit at the end, you have no soul.

-    I loved getting to know Evanlyn better, and I love how strong and determined she is. Even though she has lived a life of luxury, she doesn't cower away from hardship. She endures hard things with dignity and bravery. I love that about her. 

-    I also loved getting to know Erak's character. He is a strong and fearsome dude, but he also has a gentle side, but not too gentle. 

-    I loved the interactions between Horace and Halt. Their part in the story was a welcome reprieve from all the terrible stuff Will and Evanlyn were enduring. The humor between Halt and Horace cracked me up! 

-    I admire Halt's loyalty to Will. He did whatever it took to go after him. 

-    Even though I've read this before, I still couldn't read fast enough. The story is so gripping, and I just have to read what happens next. 

Previous Ranger's Apprentice Books

 

Freckle Juice

Goodreads Synopsis:    What’s a guy gotta do to get some freckles? This perennial bestselling favorite from Judy Blume has a fresh new look!

More than anything in the world, Andrew Marcus wants freckles. His classmate Nicky has freckles—they cover his face, his ears, and the whole back of his neck. But when Andrew asks Nicky where he got them, Nicky just says he was born with them. Some help he is!

That’s when Sharon offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe—for fifty cents, she promises, Andrew can look just like Nicky. His freckleless days are over! He rushes home to whip up the concoction. Grape juice, vinegar, mustard…

But what starts out as a simple freckle juice recipe quickly turns into something disastrous. Andrew is still determined to get his freckles, and to show that pesky Sharon that she doesn’t know everything—and he has the perfect solution! Or does he?

My Thoughts:

-    Gnome and I both liked this a lot. 

-    It was a cute and silly story, and I love how innocent and naive Andrew is. 

-    The illustrations were fun, and they matched the story well.

-    This is a great one if you want a quick fun read with your kid.

Happy Halloween

My favorite Halloween song:

I hope everyone has a fun day today!