Green, Jessica. Diary of a Would-Be Princess. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2005.
Jillian doesn't exactly fit in at her school. At the beginning of the year, she thought she wanted to be a Princess (AKA a popular girl). Nigel insists on being her friend though she doesn't relish his company. Her teacher Mrs. Bright makes them keep diaries. The reader follows Jillian during her 5th grade year as she struggles to fit in, deal with her siblings, and find friends.
What I thought: What a great book! Jillian doesn't mince words in her entries. She's brutally honest which often gets her in trouble with Mrs. Bright. This book brought home the sad reality that kids this young struggle with cliques just as much as high schoolers do. That Jillian is an Aussie brings added interest to the book. The author kindly includes a glossary of Australian terms. I now have a new word for a marker or highlighter (and possibly Sharpies)--texta.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Teashop Girls by Laura Schaefer
Schaefer, Laura. The Teashop Girls. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.
Convincing her grandmother to let her work in the teashop, The Steeping Leaf, was the easy part. Annie's always loved the teashop. She and her two best friends were "The Teashop Girls" growing up. Now, she's working there as a barista. The Leaf is in trouble. Business is slow and the bills are piling up. Annie's grandmother is served an eviction notice. Can Annie and the Teashop Girls save the Leaf?
What I thought: I loved, loved, loved this book. Any girl or woman who has close friends will appreciate this tale of friendship. The teashop setting is a bonus. I've been a tea drinker since I was Annie's age. I never went to a teashop or held tea parties, but I appreciate the warmth and relaxation that is a cup of tea (preferably herbal). I enjoyed Annie's enterprising crusade to save The Steeping Leaf. I think this book would make a great selection for a mother-daughter book club. I love that the book includes recipes. It makes it easier to plan your tea for the book discussion.
Convincing her grandmother to let her work in the teashop, The Steeping Leaf, was the easy part. Annie's always loved the teashop. She and her two best friends were "The Teashop Girls" growing up. Now, she's working there as a barista. The Leaf is in trouble. Business is slow and the bills are piling up. Annie's grandmother is served an eviction notice. Can Annie and the Teashop Girls save the Leaf?
What I thought: I loved, loved, loved this book. Any girl or woman who has close friends will appreciate this tale of friendship. The teashop setting is a bonus. I've been a tea drinker since I was Annie's age. I never went to a teashop or held tea parties, but I appreciate the warmth and relaxation that is a cup of tea (preferably herbal). I enjoyed Annie's enterprising crusade to save The Steeping Leaf. I think this book would make a great selection for a mother-daughter book club. I love that the book includes recipes. It makes it easier to plan your tea for the book discussion.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Picture Book Saturday
Berry, Lynne. Duck Dunks. Illus. Hiroe Nakata. New York: Henry Holt, 2008.
Five little ducks spend a day at the seashore. They swim, picnic, fly a kite, and play games. At the end of the day, they take their damp feathers home.
What I thought: What a lovely book. I loved the rhythm of the words. The illustrations added to my enjoyment. A perfect book to read on a summer day. A plug for Tennessee authors--Lynne Berry lives in Nashville.
Wilson, Sarah. The Day We Danced in Underpants. Illus. Catherine Stock. Berkley: Tricycle Press, 2008.
An invitation from the king to a royal party. New clothes are bought and some are too tight. The ladies put on their finest finery in heaping mounds. The day is hot hot. The guest sweat and wilt. Papa's too tight pants split open. The King declares we will enjoy the rest of the day in our underthings.
What I thought: What a fun party! I think this will leave readers wanting to know more about French customs. The illustrations are very colorful and suit the historical period of the book perfectly.
Five little ducks spend a day at the seashore. They swim, picnic, fly a kite, and play games. At the end of the day, they take their damp feathers home.
What I thought: What a lovely book. I loved the rhythm of the words. The illustrations added to my enjoyment. A perfect book to read on a summer day. A plug for Tennessee authors--Lynne Berry lives in Nashville.
Wilson, Sarah. The Day We Danced in Underpants. Illus. Catherine Stock. Berkley: Tricycle Press, 2008.
An invitation from the king to a royal party. New clothes are bought and some are too tight. The ladies put on their finest finery in heaping mounds. The day is hot hot. The guest sweat and wilt. Papa's too tight pants split open. The King declares we will enjoy the rest of the day in our underthings.
What I thought: What a fun party! I think this will leave readers wanting to know more about French customs. The illustrations are very colorful and suit the historical period of the book perfectly.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
George, Jessica Day. Dragon Slippers. New York: Bloomsbury, 2007.
Creel is expendable. She can't work on the farm like her brother Hagan. She's not beautiful and thus has no expectations for a wealthy marriage. She doesn't even have a dowry. These reasons are why her feather-brained aunt decides to sacrifice her to a the village dragon. She thinks Creel will marry her rescuer and said rescuer will look after Creel's extended family. The plan has a hitch. The dragon doesn't want her. Neither does he want to fight over her. Creel has her own plans. She means to go to the King's City and get a job in a dressmaker's shop. She bargains with the dragon. She'll leave him alone if he lets her have 1 thing from his hoard. He agrees. Much to Creel's surprise, the dragon doesn't collect gold, but shoes. He is reluctant to give her the shoes she chooses, but he eventually honors his agreement. Creel sets off in her dragon slippers for the King's City. Her slippers are both a help and a hindrance.
What I thought: What a wonderful story! It reminded me a lot of Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I look forward to anything else the author writes.
Creel is expendable. She can't work on the farm like her brother Hagan. She's not beautiful and thus has no expectations for a wealthy marriage. She doesn't even have a dowry. These reasons are why her feather-brained aunt decides to sacrifice her to a the village dragon. She thinks Creel will marry her rescuer and said rescuer will look after Creel's extended family. The plan has a hitch. The dragon doesn't want her. Neither does he want to fight over her. Creel has her own plans. She means to go to the King's City and get a job in a dressmaker's shop. She bargains with the dragon. She'll leave him alone if he lets her have 1 thing from his hoard. He agrees. Much to Creel's surprise, the dragon doesn't collect gold, but shoes. He is reluctant to give her the shoes she chooses, but he eventually honors his agreement. Creel sets off in her dragon slippers for the King's City. Her slippers are both a help and a hindrance.
What I thought: What a wonderful story! It reminded me a lot of Patricia C. Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I look forward to anything else the author writes.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
Childs, Tera Lynn. Oh. My. Gods. New York: Dutton, 2008.
Phoebe has her life planned. She'll get a track scholarship to USC and live happily-ever-after. Then her mother gets married and they move to a small island off the coast of Greece. If that weren't bad enough, the school on the island is for the descendants of the Greek gods. Zeus, Aphrodite, you get the picture. These teens not only have attitude they have powers. Surviving high school takes on a whole new meaning for Phoebe.
What I thought: What a fun book! I think Phoebe deals well with her new situation. I especially liked the twist at the end of the book that I won't give away here. This book will appeal to a variety of readers from Greek mythogogy buffs to girls to guys.
Phoebe has her life planned. She'll get a track scholarship to USC and live happily-ever-after. Then her mother gets married and they move to a small island off the coast of Greece. If that weren't bad enough, the school on the island is for the descendants of the Greek gods. Zeus, Aphrodite, you get the picture. These teens not only have attitude they have powers. Surviving high school takes on a whole new meaning for Phoebe.
What I thought: What a fun book! I think Phoebe deals well with her new situation. I especially liked the twist at the end of the book that I won't give away here. This book will appeal to a variety of readers from Greek mythogogy buffs to girls to guys.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Lionclaw by Nancy Springer
Springer, Nancy. Lionclaw: A Tale of Rowan Hood. New York: Philomel, 2002.
In this sequel to Rowan Hood, we find out more about the feminine minstrel Lionel who is part of Rowan's band. He deals with a father who hates him and his own insecurities.
What I thought: This book certainly puts the medieval era in perspective. Lionel's father disowned him and even goes so far to put a price on his son's head. Why? Lionel, though he is big and strong, would rather play his harp than learn to sword fight. Rowan and her friends certainly turn stereotypes on their heads. Rowan would rather be an outlaw. Effie prefers to forget that she's a princess.
In this sequel to Rowan Hood, we find out more about the feminine minstrel Lionel who is part of Rowan's band. He deals with a father who hates him and his own insecurities.
What I thought: This book certainly puts the medieval era in perspective. Lionel's father disowned him and even goes so far to put a price on his son's head. Why? Lionel, though he is big and strong, would rather play his harp than learn to sword fight. Rowan and her friends certainly turn stereotypes on their heads. Rowan would rather be an outlaw. Effie prefers to forget that she's a princess.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Rowan Hood By Nancy Springer
Springer, Nancy. Rowan Hood: Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest. New York: Philomel, 2001.
When Rosemary's mother is murdered because they believed she was a witch, Rosemary renounces her femininity. She becomes Rowan and sets out to find someone she's never met before--her father. Rowan's father is none other than infamous outlaw Robin Hood. Sherwood Forest is fraught with much peril. Rowan rescues a princess from a unhappy marital fate and befriends a minstrel. She, like her father before her, becomes an outlaw.
What I thought: I love the idea of giving favorite stories a fresh face with new characters and plots. Rowan's story is heartwarming. Her mother dies, she goes to find a father she's never met. He doesn't even know he had a daughter. Talk about harsh. Rowan just wants to belong. Overall, I liked the book. If you like the idea of Robin Hood with a daughter you might watch Princess of Thieves. The 2002 Walt Disney film gives Robin Hood a grown daughter.
When Rosemary's mother is murdered because they believed she was a witch, Rosemary renounces her femininity. She becomes Rowan and sets out to find someone she's never met before--her father. Rowan's father is none other than infamous outlaw Robin Hood. Sherwood Forest is fraught with much peril. Rowan rescues a princess from a unhappy marital fate and befriends a minstrel. She, like her father before her, becomes an outlaw.
What I thought: I love the idea of giving favorite stories a fresh face with new characters and plots. Rowan's story is heartwarming. Her mother dies, she goes to find a father she's never met. He doesn't even know he had a daughter. Talk about harsh. Rowan just wants to belong. Overall, I liked the book. If you like the idea of Robin Hood with a daughter you might watch Princess of Thieves. The 2002 Walt Disney film gives Robin Hood a grown daughter.
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