The Owl

I waited too long to read this one!

Revisado: 10-03-18

So yes this book has been our for awhile. And yes I should've read it a long while ago. And yes my daughter has told me for years I should read it. And yes I'm glad I finally did!

I picked up this book, finally, a bit over a week ago and started reading. My son is in soccer and swimming lessons, so I've had a lot of sitting time to read (yes I'm the bad mom that reads instead of watches intently every second). I couldn't believe how quickly I was moving through the story. It was such a fast read!

Here's what I liked:
I loved Gregor. He's sweet and brave and smart and he treats his little sister so well!
It made me care about a cockroach! I mean how great must the book and writing be if I actually care about a cockroach!
It's fast paced - no dragging things out
I loved the Underworld. It was well created and described but I want to know more about it!
It has heart. From Gregor's little sister Boots to the whole story about his father - it had heart and caring.
It ended in a NON-cliffhanger! Yes there are more books in the series but I could stop here and not feel like I was left with a ton of unknowns.
Ok I think that about sums it up. If you like something with action and nice well-rounded characters I suggest you pick it up.

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This book has stuck with me.

Revisado: 10-03-18

I absolutely loved this book! I can't quite put my finger on why, but I listened to it a year ago and it's still in my head. I think I just really liked the main character. She was so smart and determined and unafraid (even when she was afraid). Definitely listen to this one!

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More people need to read this series

Revisado: 10-03-18

What a fun series!!! We've (my 3 kids and I) listened to both on our way to and from school, and we all enjoyed them.

First my thoughts on the books (plot, characters): Each book lets one of the NERD team take the staring role in the story. The first book features Jackson who is just entering the team. We liked Jackson, but my daughter and I were a little annoyed at how long to "get it". You see Jackson was a nerd before. He was cool - popular. Now he can't quite figure out how come the other members of the team are still mad at him for what he did. It took a bit! There wasn't anything like that in the second book which featured Duncan. We really enjoyed him.

As for the plot of each book - great! Perfect for kids who need a fast paced story full of action and laughs. Oh the laughs - we giggled a lot through the book. In the second book there are these squirrels that really made us giggle. It's so rare to find a book that really does make me laugh. I think kids will like it. I know mine did. Both stories have some nice plot twists - especially book #1. Didn't see that coming!

The other characters are great. I love each team member. They are each unique, and I love the diversity in them. It's also really cool how they take their "nerdiness" and turn it into a power. It's cool to turn it around like that. I wish I could have some weakness of mine turned into a power! I can't wait to hear more about the rest of the team - especially Matilda who looks to be the star in book #3.

Now for the Narrator: He was great. Did a nice job getting all the voices. There are a lot of different voices he had to do with the team members, their adult leaders and the villains! Each one was distinct and really fit the character. I liked him a lot and would definitely listen to him again.

I have to note that there is always one way I know my 10-year-old son is liking the story - when he gets in the car if it isn't playing he'll say "why isn't the book on?". That tells me he's enjoying it. And let me tell you, that's high praise if he likes it!

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Great story but a sudden end

Revisado: 10-03-18

This book was adorable and sweet and odd and fun and thought-provoking. Yes it was all that! I adored Alice - ok I admit there was a point where I was getting annoyed by her because she just wouldn't listen BUT they she turned a corner, and I loved the girl she became. From the start I did feel for her. Here she is - a girl with no color in a world that values color to the point of seeing it as currency. She felt so different from anyone around her, and her one champion, her father, is gone. I wanted to hug her. As story progresses she goes from knowing herself to doubting herself to being able to accept who she is and the gifts she has been given. Wonderful transformation.

I also loved the world of Furthermore. As the story went along I was amazed over and over by Mafi's ability to create such a world! It helped that she described it such reach and unique language that it was almost painted before you. Completely wonderful. But I also liked that you never knew what to trust in the brilliant world of Furthermore. It added this edge to the setting that also kept me, and Alice, on my toes.

My one small issue was the ending. It ended kinda fast! I guess I wanted just a bit more. Not a huge deal but something to note.

Audio Book Thoughts: LOVED the narrator! He did such a wonderful job. His narration truly brought the world and Alice's story together.

A few weeks back I had the chance to meet Tahereh Mafi and Ransom Riggs. I was super excited to hear she is going to write a companion novel to Furthermore! I cannot wait for it to come out!

In short: Check it out. I hope you'll enjoy the world and Alice as much as I did.
Best for: Kids who like books with magical worlds and a bit of topsy-turvy-ness.
Best stick-with-you image: The paper fox and Alice's new dress.

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Nice unique story

Revisado: 10-03-18

So at first I wasn't so sure about this book. It starts out with a pretty graphic image of a dead body. I thought wow where can this go from here?! In the end tho, I did like it. It was a little different at parts, but at its heart it was about Pram just wanting to know where she belongs and who loves her. About Pram - I loved her, I really did. She was sweet and strong and kind and determined. I liked that I knew she was a character that would never intentionally hurt someone. I was able to trust her and cheer for her. And there were so many times she needed cheering! At some points I didn't know if things would work out! But the way the story ended was great.

And can I tell you that I loved Felix. He was sweet and so kind. I cheered for him too!

Lastly Pram's gift was very well done. I liked that it wasn't over-played too much. Yes it played a huge role in the story, but it wasn't a scary thing. It wasn't creepy. It was more factual. It was a gift and accepted and moved on - well at least by Pram. The aunts had different thoughts about it, but that was understandable.

About the audio: Liked it. The narrator was good. Sometimes I struggle with narrators for middle-grade books, but this one was good!

Final thought: Enjoyed it after the shocking beginning.
Best stick-with-you image: Beyond the first one? Clarence and the box.
Best for: Middle school students

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Works so well as an audiobook

Revisado: 10-03-18

To the point review:
Read this book to remind yourself that everyone is going through something and a small gesture can change that.

Let me explain:
I know that this book has been around for a long while, but I'm only just getting to it now. I really wish I had read it sooner! It was very good. Serious - but very good. When I first started listening to it I thought - "This should be a book all high schoolers need to read." I still feel that way although I understand it's not a book for everyone. I just thought it should be something every kid should read because it helps you see that you do not know what is going on with someone and that what you say can have a larger impact (both for the good and bad) than you ever thought. Hannah was struggling so much. At first I was kinda frustrated and just wanted her to be stronger, but as the story went on I understood more and more the place she was in. It was heartbreaking to know that nothing was going to save her in the end.

The character of Clay was very real. I think we could all relate to him - anger at Hannah, anger at himself, sadness, frustration with everyone around him that was involved, unbearable grief that he hadn't done more knowing that he did what he did with what he knew at the time. My heart hurt for him.

Thoughts on the audiobook: I think I'm glad I experienced this book this way because the voices of Clay and Hannah were done by different people. Since Clay was listening to the voice of Hannah it brought her and the story more alive and stronger I think.

Best for: People who can handle a very serious and difficult topic
Best for ages: 14+
Best stick-with-you image: Clay at the end of the book walking down the hall

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Great for Halloween

Revisado: 10-03-18

o the point review:
Creepy and fun and enjoyed it.

Let me explain:
I love creepy books. I've said that many many times when reviewing a book. This is one that I've seen for a while. Many of my students read it and loved it! They kept telling me I needed to read it. I'm glad I finally listened and did. In terms of the creep factor it was good. Not the scariest thing I've ever read, but it did have the wanting to yell out "don't go in there" feel. A feel times my heart raced because I wanted Alexis to stop and get out!

The story also had some nice twists and turns that I didn't see coming. A few things I thought I had figured out I didn't, so that was nice. It kept me guessing which is always good.

I liked Alexis a lot. She was strong and determined. I like that she was trying to put things together and figure out what to do. I do wish she would've accepted help more, but I get why she didn't. If I was in Kasey's place I would hope Alexis was on my side!

Thoughts on the audiobook: The narrator did a nice job. I struggle with female narrators sometimes because I've found they have a tendency to sound whiny and that bothers me. This narrator didn't have that. She kept the story moving and definitely added to the creepiness.

Best for: People who like to be kept on suspense.
Best for ages: Around 12 and up. I had many middle school students who read it.
Best stick-with-you image: There was a scene where Kasey just kind appears behind Alexis and that was super creepy!

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Great story but narrator did get to me some.

Revisado: 10-03-18

To the point review:
LOVED Abigail and loved the twists and turns.

Let me explain:
I had read a lot of reviews on this book and heard very good things about it, so I was very interested in it. I like mysteries, but I worried because it sounded a little Sherlock Holmes-like, and I'm not a huge fan. Instead I found a really fun book and a character I really liked. Honestly it was the character of Abigail that kept me interested. I loved how smart and gun-ho she was! She just jumped straight into work with Jackaby and ran with it! I loved that. I also loved that she had ditched the university, took the money and ran away from home. You gotta love a girl with that kind of spunk!

About the mystery - I had to admit that I had a chunk of it figured out pretty quickly, but I kept listening because I wanted to know if I was right, and I wanted to see what happened with Abigail. There were a few things thrown in that I was like "whoa didn't see that coming!", so yes I had something figured out, but that was only one part.

The cast of characters - they were all fun and unique. I loved them all. Jackaby made me laugh a ton. And how outspoken Abigail was made me laugh as well. She had a way of sayings things to people that just cracked me up! Plus the side characters that live with Jackaby were also fun as well as the characters involved in the mystery. This was definitely a strength of the book.

Thoughts on the audiobook: I have to admit - I almost had to stop listening to this one but only when the narrator read Jackaby. I loved how she read Abigail, but how she read Jackaby totally annoyed me. She was would Abigail's last name - Rook - with a really really hard "K" sound and it just started to annoy me! It's really because of this that I will continue with the series in book form only.

Best for: People who like a mystery - historical mysteries the most.
Best for ages: Around 12 and up.
Best stick-with-you image: In the woods towards the end of the book. Can't say anymore or I'll spoil the book! It was just a super tense scene!

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Great follow up to the first book

Revisado: 10-03-18

To the point review:
I loved, loved loved it!

Let me explain:
I read Au Revoir Crazy European Chick several years ago. It was one of those books that I ended up really enjoying. It wasn't until much later that I learned there was a sequel! I'd like to say I ran out and listened to it right away. That's not the case, but when I did finally start it I had a hard time stopping. There was one day I was mad I was already at work because I wanted to keep listening! I don't think would've liked that as a reason to be gone.

Just like Au Revoir this book is nonstop. Once Perry starts running - literally - it barely lets up. And let me tell you - I had NOTHING figured out in this book. I swear every chapter I was like "What!? What?!". At one point I had to rewind and listen again because I couldn't believe what I just heard! It seriously was that intense. And just like in the first book I really liked Perry. What was fun was that he had really grown up more in this book. Oh he still was clueless at times, but you could see that he was older and stronger. And Gobi as usual was cryptic, mysterious, headstrong and stubborn. The two of them together was fun even when it shouldn't have been!

Loved the ending (as well as the beginning and middle). Glad I got to spend more time With Perry and Gobi!

Thoughts on the audiobook: Very well done. The narrator had a great voice for Perry. At times he brought out Perry's strength and maturity and other times letting him still be a teenager.

Best for: People who like action and are ok with some bloody scenes.
Best for ages: 14+
Best stick-with-you image: On the plaza. That scene was crazy!

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Not what I expected

Revisado: 10-03-18

Short story: Wow what a story.

Now the details: I don't even know where to begin to review this story. It was amazing. Frustrating. Hopeful. Sad. Funny. Real - or was it? What I mean by the last one is the ending! But I can't comment much because I don't want to give things away. All I know is that I adored it way more than I ever expected it to. I grew to really really like Parker. I felt for him. The story was more complicated and complex than I ever thought it would be. So many times while listening I had to make myself leave the car. (I only listen in the car) I just wanted to know more, and why and how. I questioned things - could I believe Parker? Could I believe Zelda? Where is this story going? The whole package was great. I'm so glad I picked it up and listened to it. It has really stuck with me.

Thoughts on the audiobook: I LOVED the narrator. He did such a great job. I loved his accent because it made Parker come to life even more. He just did a wonderful job. I hope to find more books he has narrated.

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