Category: Children’s
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Almost Super: Super in every way!
Almost SuperBy: Marion JensenMy Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARSBest for: All Ages Super in every way! It’s this reading dad’s favorite time of the school year, when our school district picks a book and gifts a copy to each family with students in grades K-4. They provide a reading schedule, and our entire community…
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Bastille vs the Evil Librarians: We’ve only been waiting 15 years. Nbd.
Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz, Book #1)The Scrivener’s Bones (Alcatraz, Book #2)The Knights of Crystallia (Alcatraz, Book #3)The Shattered Lens (Alcatraz, Book #4)The Dark Talent (Alcatraz, Book #5)Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz, Book #6)By: Brandon SandersonMy Rating: FIVE out of FIVE starsBest for: 12 and up We’ve only been waiting 15 years. Nbd.…
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How to Train Your Dragon: Excessive Fun Warning!!!
How to Train Your DragonBy: Cressida CowellMy Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARSBest for: 10 and under Warning: You will have excessive fun and be forced to laugh out loud. Read at your own risk. I read (and ADORED) The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell, so I shouldn’t be surprised that How to Train…
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A Book Club Guest Review of Looice
LooiceBy: Ben Goldstein and Phillip NamanworthReviewer Rating: 5Best for: 10 and under Easy, Fast ReadGuest book review by Christal M. Q: What’s the book about? The book is about a man who uses his imagination to create different things. From Goodreads… Looice (pronounced Lewis): A surprising, magical, fun filled day at the beach with the…
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Charlotte’s Web: All We Need is Love
Charlotte’s WebBy: E.B. WhiteMy Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARSBest for: All Ages All we need is love. E.B. White was awarded a Newbery Honor for Charlotte’s Web in 1953. It lost the Newbery Medal to a boring little book called Secret of the Andes, which I’m sure is lovely. But it’s no Charlotte’s Web.…
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A Book Club Guest Review of Summer of the Monkeys
Summer of the MonkeysBy: Wilson RawlsGuest Reviewer Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS10 and up Just as good as when I was 10!Guest Review by Julie Hilton A boy grows up fast one summer with a bunch of monkeys, some hard choices, and great lessons. A classic coming of age story I loved as a…
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#BookScavenger: Where was this when I was 11?
Book Scavenger (Book Scavenger, #1)The Unbreakable Code (Book Scavenger, #2)The Alcatraz Escape (Book Scavenger, #3)By: Jennifer Chambliss BertmanMy Rating: Four out of five starsBest for: 10 and up Where was Book Scavenger when I was 11? Books about books are IT! This charming and well-written trio of middle grade stories are a book nerd’s dream…
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#Holes: A story worthy of its accolades
HolesBy: Louis SacharMy Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARSBest for: 10 and up A story worthy of its accolades I feel like I’ve known Louis Sachar my whole life. Sideways Stories from Wayside School was one of the first stories I remember really enjoying for the fun of reading. Sideways stories and it’s sequels were…
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#Dragonwatch: Dragons are the bacon of books
Dragonwatch (Dragonwatch #1)Wrath of the Dragon King (Dragonwatch #2)Master of the Phantom Isle (Dragonwatch #3)Champion of the Titan Games (Dragonwatch #4)Return of the Dragon Slayer (Dragonwatch #5) (*Haven’t read this one yet! Releases in 3 more weeks!)My Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS!Best for: All ages! Independent readers 10 and up And you though Fablehaven…
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A Book Club Guest Review of My Name is River and Hope Girl
My name is River (River, Book 1)Hope Girl (River, Book 2)By: Wendy DunhamGuest Review Rating: Four out of Five StarsBest For: 12 and up Tough subjects done wellA Guest Book Review by Julie Hilton River is a girl with a mysterious parent situation, a friend who dies in suspicious circumstance, an ill grandmother, and feelings…
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#TheEnchantedForestChronicles: The Series That Was Written in Reverse!
Dealing with Dragons (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book 1)Searching for Dragons (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book 2)Calling on Dragons (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book 3)Talking to Dragons (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book 4)By: Patricia C. WredeMy Rating: Four out of Five StarsBest for: All ages. Independent Readers 10 and up. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles was…
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#FloraAndUlysses: We loved it! (Mostly…)
Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated AdventuresBy Kate DiCamilloMy Rating: Four out of Five StarsBest for: 10 and up The littles and I just finished the 2014 Newbery Medal winner: Flora & Ulysses! I love everything from Kate DiCamillo, so expectations were pretty high. We loved it! (Mostly…) Here are five reasons we loved Flora &…
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#TheWildRobot: Why Didn’t I Think of That?
The Wild Robot (The Wild Robot, Book 1)By: Peter BrownMy Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars Update Feb 2021Third time for me, first time with a new set if kiddos. I have nothing but praise for this book. I love it, the kids love it. Thank you Peter Brown for your amazing story! One note…
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A Book Club Guest Review of The Infinity Ring Series
A Mutiny in Time (The Infinity Ring, Book 1) by James DashnerDivide and Conquer (The Infinity Ring, Book 2) by Carrie RyanThe Trap Door (The Infinity Ring, Book 3) by Lisa McMannCurse of the Ancients (The Infinity Ring, Book 4) by Matt de la PenaCave of Wonders (The Infinity Ring, Book 5) by Matthew J.…
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#Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow–Knock, knock, knocking on Harry’s door…
Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, Book 3)By: Jessica TownsendMy Rating: FIVE out of FIVE STARS!!!Best For: 12 and up I don’t know if there will ever be another Harry, although everyone’s always looking for it. After three books though, things are looking pretty great for Morrigan Crow. I don’t know what the future…
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A Book Club Guest Review of The Star Darlings Series
The Star Darlings SeriesBy: Shana ZappaReviewer Rating: 5 (000,000,000,000…) Stars!Best for: 10 and under THE STAR DARLINGS by Shana Muldoon ZappaReview by Jessi, age 11 An AMAZING group of 12 star-charmed starlings (people/girls?) Who secretly save there planet many many… times, by granting wishes from Wishworld (earth) to give starland (there planet) much needed energy,…
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A Book Club Guest Review of Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry FinnBy: Mark TwainReviewer Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARSBest for: 10 and up The boy who became a hero by doing what he thought was wrong.Review by: Kirsten Johnston Huck is wise in some of the dangers of life, such as alcoholic parents. He is a smart, smooth lier. But in other ways he…
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#Fablehaven: If only it were real…
Fablehaven (Fablehaven, Book 1)By: Brandon MullMy Rating: FIVE out of FIVE STARS!Best for: All ages Yea for good books! The kids and I just finished Fablehaven last night. It was my second trip to Fablehaven, but the first for the my 10 and under crew. Did it deliver? Oh yes. They loved it! And how…
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#Bob: Just one more chapter, PLEASE!
Bob By: Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead, Illustrated by Nicholas Gannon My (and the kids) Review: FIVE out of FIVE stars Best For: Everyone, and great to read aloud. The elementary kids and I just finished a big-hearted book with a little name–Bob, by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead. Bob is about an 11-year-old girl…
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#TheSasquatchEscape: Big Foot, dragons, and read-aloud fun!
The Sasquatch Escape (The Imaginary Veterinary: Book 1) By: Suzanne Selfors My Rating: Four out of Five Stars Best for: 10 and under Our local school district selects one book each year and gives copies to every elementary student for a district-wide family reading month. There have been a few duds over the years, but…
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#CharlieandtheChocolateFactory: God Bless Roald Dahl
Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryBy: Roald DahlMy Rating: FIVE out of FIVE stars and all my loveBest for: Everyone God bless Roald Dahl. Imagination. Smiles. Laughter. Snuggles. Can we read tonight? Just one more chapter? Silly names. Silly words. Silly Candy. Silly voices. Daddy, I want an Oompa-Loompa. Golden tickets. Eatable. Chocolate river. Gum behind…
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#ThePenderwicks: Ah, the good old days…
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy By: Jeanne Birdsall My Rating: Four out of Five Stars Best for: 10 and under Sweetness overload. That’s really what this book was. It’s a modern-day throwback to the days of simple things. You know…kids that make their own fun…
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#TheWitches: God Bless Roald Dahl (also, the kids smell like dogs’ droppings)
The Witches By: Roald Dahl My Rating: Five out of Five Stars Best for: Everyone The last time I read The Witches I was 10 and in the 4th grade. That I still remember it 30 years later is as much a testament to the book as it is to my 4th grade teacher who…
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#TheWildRobotEscapes (The Wild Robot #2): Get ready to tear and cheer!
The Wild Robot Escapes (The Wild Robot, Book #2) By: Peter Brown My Rating: FIVE out of Five Stars Best for: 10 and under April 2018 Peter Brown is very, very good. We loved…LOVED…The Wild Robot (Book #1). Here’s my original review. I say we: I read it myself, was blown away, then immediately started…
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#Kenny&theDragon: The Dragon Wins!
Kenny & the Dragon BY: Tony DiTerlizzi My Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars Best for: 10 and under Each school year, our school district picks one book and gifts a copy to each district family for a community read-along. It’s my favorite program! Sometimes the books are duds, but they generally do a pretty…
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#JeniusJournal: A new fav for fans of quality story time!
Jenius Journal: A book of silly invention and crazy conversation starters for parents and kids By: Aaron Shaw My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars I have a soft spot in my heart for authors who are brave enough to publish on their own…especially the ones who are good enough to deserve some buzz. If…
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#TheMiraculousJourneyofEdwardTulane: I can’t wait to read this to my kids!
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane By: Kate DiCamillo My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Now, that’s a story. I can’t wait to read it to my kids. Edward is a toy rabbit. He’s made of china and fur and is always dressed in the nicest clothes. His life is charmed. He’s beautiful and…
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#TheChangelings: Down the Rabbit Hole
The Changelings By Christina Soontornvat My Rating: Three out of Five Stars The Changelings is a fun and simple stand-alone fantasy for young readers. There’s magic and mystery, danger and daring, love between sisters and love between friends, lot’s of fairies, and a happy (if a little odd) ending. I was glad I found it…
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The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles)
4/5 stars The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles) by Holly Black Two thumbs up for the Spiderwick Chronicles! Fun. Short. Beautifully illustrated. Fairies, unicorns, elves, trolls, dwarves, goblins–all your standard fantasy creatures get some spotlight. Hits the bulls eye for being content-accessible for their target audience without talking down to them. In my experience,…
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The Ironwood Tree (The Spiderwick Chronicles)
4/5 stars The Ironwood Tree (The Spiderwick Chronicles) by Holly Black Two thumbs up for the Spiderwick Chronicles! Fun. Short. Beautifully illustrated. Fairies, unicorns, elves, trolls, dwarves, goblins–all your standard fantasy creatures get some spotlight. Hits the bulls eye for being content-accessible for their target audience without talking down to them. In my experience, that’s…
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The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 1)
4/5 stars The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles Book 1) by Holly Black Two thumbs up for the Spiderwick Chronicles! Fun. Short. Beautifully illustrated. Fairies, unicorns, elves, trolls, dwarves, goblins–all your standard fantasy creatures get some spotlight. Hits the bulls eye for being content-accessible for their target audience without talking down to them. In my…
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Lucinda’s Secret (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #3)
4/5 stars Lucinda’s Secret (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #3) by Holly Black Two thumbs up for the Spiderwick Chronicles! Fun. Short. Beautifully illustrated. Fairies, unicorns, elves, trolls, dwarves, goblins–all your standard fantasy creatures get some spotlight. Hits the bulls eye for being content-accessible for their target audience without talking down to them. In my experience, that’s…
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The Seeing Stone (The Spiderwick Chronicles)
4/5 stars The Seeing Stone (The Spiderwick Chronicles) by Holly Black Two thumbs up for the Spiderwick Chronicles! Fun. Short. Beautifully illustrated. Fairies, unicorns, elves, trolls, dwarves, goblins–all your standard fantasy creatures get some spotlight. Hits the bulls eye for being content-accessible for their target audience without talking down to them. In my experience, that’s…
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James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
5 stars out of 5 I’m a fan of Roald Dahl for my kids and yours. James and the Giant Peach always did make me feel a little bit sticky, though…
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)
5/5 stars Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) by J.K. Rowling August 2016 re-read: EXPECTO PATRONUM! My favorite scene. Goosebumps every time Originally read in 2001. What’s not to say about Harry? As a body, the 7 Harry books have to be in the discussion of all time best. ALL TIME…
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)
5/5 stars Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) by J.K. Rowling August 2016 re-read: My least favorite Harry Potter book. But, really, that’s like saying I like the left Twix better than the right Twix. Still brilliant. And this time around I found a lot more foreshadowing that I remembered during…
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneBy: J.K. RowlingMy Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARSBest for: 10 and under, and independent readers 10 and up August 2016 re-read: I actually sighed with contentment when I finished… Originally read in 2001, and many times since. What’s not to say about Harry? As a body, the 7 Harry…
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The BFG by Roald Dahl
5 out of 5 stars. I’ve read The BFG many times, and I’ve loved it each time. Most recently I read it to my kids before we saw the recent movie. They loved it too–in fact, they still talk about it and quote it!
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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
4 out of 5 stars. This one held the attention of my younger kids more than my older kids, but it’s too long for an early reader to tackle alone. So it’s a great read aloud. Watch out for the descriptions of Ivan’s memories of his parents being killed. I read those parts to my…
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The World According to Humphrey (According to Humphrey, #1)
5/5 stars The World According to Humphrey (According to Humphrey, #1) by Betty G. Birney This was the one district, one book selection my kids brought home from school to read together this year. I love this program, but usually the books they choose are either totally lame, completely boring, or both. (I’m looking at…
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Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
5 out of 5 stars Great memories of reading this as a kid. Great memories of reading this to my kids.
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The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl
5 out of 5 stars Perfect for older elementary readers looking for a chapter book.
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The Arcade Catastrophe (The Candy Shop War, #2)
5/5 stars The Arcade Catastrophe (The Candy Shop War, #2) by Brandon Mull Brandon Mull is getting better and better! The Arcade Catastrophe is packed full of good, clean excitment and suspense. The story was engaging, the message was positive, and the characters are strong, honorable, and brave. If you haven’t read The Candy Shop…
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The Candy Shop War
5/5 stars The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull What a fun story! Magic candy that gives you super powers? Good guys vs. bad guys….with enough misdirection to keep you guessing if you’re actually cheering for the right side? Treasure hunting? Learning to handle bullies? Learing to appreciate your parents? Having best friends? Making hard…
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Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5)
5/5 stars Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5) by Brandon Mull What a great ending to a great story! Fablehaven started off so-so with book 1, picked up steam in book 2, and continued picking up speed until the end of book 5. Book 5 was my favorite of the series. Its great fantasy,…
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Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven, #4)
5/5 stars Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven, #4) by Brandon Mull Awesome! THIS story was what I was hoping Fablehaven would be. The beginning made me nervous–it starts out with a big surprise right away. It ends with an unexpected twist I didn’t see coming. The last sentence is a cliff hanger that makes…
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Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven, #3)
5/5 stars Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven, #3) by Brandon Mull Yes! After a dissapointing first book, the second book gave me hope for a great series. The third book hit a homerun! I’m now a Fablehaven fan. 5 stars, easy!
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Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven, #2)
4/5 stars Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven, #2) by Brandon Mull Phew, my faith in my friends recommending good books to me is restored! After being dissapointed with some aspects of the first Fablehaven book, it was a pleasant surprise to find this book well written and wonderfully imaginative. This time around, the characters…
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#CharlieandtheChocolateFactory: Timeless fun
Charlie Bucket is as awesome today as he was when I was a kid. Remember, the book is ALWAYS better than the movie! Or movies… Read it with your kids or have them read it alone. Either way, see that you don’t miss this one.
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The Lighting Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)
4 out of 5 Stars. All audiences Don’t even TRY to compare that awful movie to this awesome book.
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#WheretheWildThingsAre: The Best Re-Aloud Book Ever
If my kids let me pick the book I’m going to read to them, I pick Where the Wild Things Are. I love it. Make sure you teach your kids to rumpus.
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The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
5 out of 5 stars Maybe a bit non-PC today, but I still remember this from 4th grade. My 4th graders have enjoyed it too.
One Man Book Club 