Children's Poetry. Fulfills Popular Published in 1982 category in the Pioneer Book Challenge.
Roald Dahl books are all a little edgy and odd, but they are fun to read and make me smile. This short book of poetry takes Fairy Tales, like Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Snow White, among others, and turns them into short rhyming tales that don't end well. They do make you think about consequences of all those fairy tale characters choices and are especially fun to read aloud!
Recommend: Yes
Teen fantasy fiction. Fulfills "To Be Read Pile" category in the Pioneer Book Challenge
This is the 5th and final book in the Dragonwatch series which continues the story of Kendra and Seth Sorenson started in the Fablehaven series.
I have to admit I was a little hesitant to start this book. It sat on my night stand for a month or so. I've really enjoyed the Fablehaven and Dragonwatch books and since I knew this was the final installment I really wanted it to end well wrapped up with i's dotted and t's crossed. I was not disappointed. This may be the best wrap up of a series that I've ever read. There was a perfect balance of many things being resolved and some things not. Not everything had a happy ending and that felt very real life. But despite that, the characters dealt with the hands they had with dignity and hope. It really was a beautiful ending to an enjoyable ride!
Recommend: YES!
My son, Palmer, called me at the beginning of the year to tell me about a reading challenge he is participating in from Pioneer Book, which is a used bookstore in Provo, Utah. They have produced a list of 40 types of books to be read in the year, which if you do, they will give you a $50 gift card. I thought it was a wonderful thing and decided to join him in the challenge.
If any of you would like to join us in this challenge here is a link to the rules: Pioneer Book Reading Challenge 2022
In a nutshell you need to read a book in each of the following categories, some of which require you to purchase a book at Pioneer Book (the ones with an *), but they have a web site that I will utilize and I just might stop in the next time I'm in Utah with my kids.
I've already finished two categories: Popular published in 1992 (The Widow's Broom) and Author you share a last initial with (As You Are).
Children's fiction/picture book. Fulfills Popular Published in 1992 category in the Pioneer Book Challenge
Van Allsburg is my favorite illustrator. He has produced books like The Polar Express and Jumanji and my favorite The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. As an author/illustrator he is one of the best. Someday I would like to purchase prints of some of his illustrations and hang them in my home.
The Widow's Broom is an enchanting tale about a broom that a witch left behind. It seems a simple tale, but has so many lessons woven into the story and the pictures.
Recommend: Yes.
Regency Romance. Fulfills Author You Share Last Name Initial With category in the Pioneer Book Challenge.
I've read several of Sarah Eden's romance novels and they are a quick enjoyable read. This is in her Jonquil Brothers series that follows the romantic interests of the Jonquil family. The characters are well developed and it's fun to see the other brothers appear in each story.
Recommend: Yes
Teen Historical Fiction. This book quickly pulled me into the French Resistance during World War II. The story alternates perspectives from 1942 and modern era Paris as Alice and her family travel to Paris to find an apartment that was owned by Alice's grandmother and that hasn't been touched since 1944. It's like walking into a time capsule and Alice is shocked to find out her grandmother had a sister that neither her or her mother knew about. Her grand-aunt Adalyn's story unfolds through her diary that Alice finds and through Adalyn's own narrative living in German occupied France.
A wonderful quick glimpse into the horrors and heroes of the people who were brave enough to be the French Resistance.
Recommend: Yes.
