Young Reader in the Making

Young Reader in the Making

Monday, May 28, 2018

Book 624: The Book of Gold

The Book of Gold, by Bob Staake, Schwartz and Wade Books, 2017.

I am lifting my review of this book from a letter my third-grade son wrote for a writing assignment.  (He received 100%).

"(The Book of Gold) is a wonderful book.  I've read it three times already.

I liked The Book of Gold because it starts in the old days.  I also liked it because it was a world-traveling, time-traveling book.  My favorite part was when Isaac learned to love reading books.

I am interested in the world and vintage times, and I also like to read books.  I really liked how the illustrations turned from sepia to color."

Friday, May 25, 2018

Book 623: Obedience, Simple Solutions

Obedience:  Simple Solutions, by Kim Campbell Thornton, illustrated by Buck Jones, Bowtie Press, 2003.

This super-simple, super-fast-to-read book is great for new owners of dogs (and maybe even owners of new dogs).  It wouldn't replace an obedience training course, though.


Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Book 622: The Song of the Lark

The Song of the Lark, by Willa Cather, 1915.

This book may be part of a trilogy, but it stands just fine on its own.

Thea is a magnetic character.  I mean that in the sense that she does attract lesser spheres into her orbit.  But I also mean that in the sense that a magnet has two opposite poles.  She repels those who are most like her, and she swings from passion to passion.

I am an ordinary person with a small stable of talents.  After reading this book, I am grateful for my ordinariness. 

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Book 621: Algebra & Geometry, Anything But Square

Algebra & Geometry, Anything But Square, by Dan Green, Basher Book 2011.

My third-grade son loves these Basher books.  I know he likes them mostly because of the quirky illustrations.  But I also know he has learned facts from them -- facts that may not have made sense to him at the time he learned them, but later he was able to relate what he had learned from these books to what he was learning in school.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Book 620: A Cup of Comfort for Mothers and Sons

A Cup of Comfort for Mothers and Sons, edited by Colleen Sell, Adams Media, 2005.

This book was a bit gorpy and a bit sweet -- exactly what I expected it to be.  It also made me a bit sad, which I did not expect. 

I have a young son.  We have special rituals and special activities and a special bond.  I'm not sharing any of it here, and that kind of is the point.  What makes all of them so special is that it is between only us.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Book 619: Prelude For War

Prelude for War, by Leslie Charteris, 1938.

This book was written before the start of World War II, yet the world clearly is on the brink of war.  Perhaps that is why this book is an uncomfortable read -- we all know what will happen.  Even the Saint could not save the world from war.


Saturday, May 12, 2018

Book 618: More Ghost Stories


For a ghost story anthology, this is not a bad collection.  A few stories are a bit shiver-inducing, but not nightmare-causing, a few are classics, and a few are just sweet.  Almost all are well-written.  My nine-year-old son wants to read some ghost stories.  I'll let him start with this book.


Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Book 617: Thieves' Picnic

Thieves' Picnic, by Leslie Charteris, 1937.

This book isn't the best or the brightest of the Saint series.  In fact, if I had read this book first and didn't know anything else about the Saint, I wouldn't like him very much.  Nor would I like the author very much.  So, if you are new to the series, don't start with this book.



Monday, May 7, 2018

Book 616: Why a Son Needs a Mom

Why a Son Needs a Mom, by Gregory Lang, Cumberlane Press, 2007.

This book is a sweet -- although at times TOO sweet -- reminder of what is important in life.  It is also a good book to read on the day your third-grade son has a meltdown and screams that he doesn't like you anymore.

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Book 615: The Saint in New York

The Saint in New York, by Leslie Charteris, 1934.

The Saint is a pretty durable character, in every sense of the phrase.  This book feels like a slice of history where organized crime in New York City controls the city and most of the government.   Oh, wait...  Maybe not so 'historical' after all.


Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Book 614: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

The Adventures of Baron Munchause, by Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown.

This book is a rather uninspired version of a delightful movie.  Very rarely can I say the movie is better, but, in this case, the movie is better.