South Sound Book Review Council

Max Spaniel: Best in Show

Carol Hahn — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:29:58 +0000

David Catrow is a terrific illustrator. Not only do his illustrations depict the story, but from the vivid colors to the dogs’ expressions, his attention to detail makes each page a masterpiece. This book is about a dog show that have become so popular. Max is in the show, but seems to be a ‘hot’ dog, . . . → Read More: Max Spaniel: Best in Show

The Brave Puffer Fish

Carol Hahn — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:19:45 +0000

The Brave Puffer Fish is a level 3 reader, meaning that it has full paragraphs, higher word count, and a high-interest topic. This book really is perfect for beginning readers; easily readable, interesting, colorful illustrations, and interesting facts set in a Disney-like story. Kids will enjoy learning to read with . . . → Read More: The Brave Puffer Fish

America’s Best Colleges for B Students

Kristi Bonds — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:31:31 +0000

Very readable guidebook, with excellent sections on how to choose a college, how to find colleges that will be a great fit, how to evaluate colleges and how to find scholarships. It offers lots of practical tips on how to organize a college search with a “college score sheet” that can be copied and used when . . . → Read More: America’s Best Colleges for B Students

Sound Bender

Debbie Koss-Warner — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:58:35 +0000

Two young boys are left with their mysterious rich uncle after their parents die in a plane crash. The oldest brother, Leo, discovers on his 13th birthday a letter and old recordable disc from the 1950s. The letter , written by his father on Leo’s 1st birthday, gives Leo an amazing look into his past — . . . → Read More: Sound Bender

Haven

Kristi Bonds — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:03:44 +0000

Violet McKenna has never felt comfortable with herself until she arrives at Winterhaven, a private high school. Violet has visions of terrible events that happen in the future, including death. She even foresaw her own father’s death but in the past, when she tried to warn people, no one would listen. Feeling as though she was . . . → Read More: Haven

The Inquisitor’s Apprentice

Carol Hahn — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:15:51 +0000

The Inquisitor’s Apprentice is a combination of a historical novel meets fantasy. The story takes place in New York City during the era of Thomas Alva Edison, during the hustle and bustle of the tenement buildings and the mansions of the extremely wealthy. The police dept. has a chief ‘inquisitor’ whose job it is to stop . . . → Read More: The Inquisitor’s Apprentice

Jane Eyre: The Graphic Novel

Christine Evans — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:08:40 +0000

I rated this book as additional purchase primarily because the text is a bit unclear in spots in elucidating the original text. Without having read Charlotte Bronte’s original book, I would have been a bit confused at times, particularly since the story is set in the past when customs and times were quite different. I think . . . → Read More: Jane Eyre: The Graphic Novel

Ruby Lu Star of the Show

Christine Evans — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:52:27 +0000

I enjoyed this book! The story line is especially well-developed for a young juvenile novel, the sketch illustrations throughout are entertaining and expressive, and the characters are interesting and unique. I also appreciated the Chinese-American culture woven into the story line through the main character’s family. In this story, Ruby Lu’s family receives a shock when . . . → Read More: Ruby Lu Star of the Show

Detective Blue

Gail Blake — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:05:02 +0000

Great fun story. This is a creative story of many well know nursery rhymns twisted together into a fun tale. it leads through so many situations. The comic book style, and colorful pictures give this book the old comic book flavor.

I loved it. There are puns and funny situations with a twist into fairy tale land. . . . → Read More: Detective Blue

Frangoline and the Midnight Dream

Gail Blake — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:55:57 +0000

This is a fun scary story for young children. It would be fun for a slumber party story to give everyone a scare, or around Halloween. The girl is a bit rebellious, and ends up being scared herself.

The rhyme is great for young children, and the pictures . . . → Read More: Frangoline and the Midnight Dream