Fellow Readers,

Sorry that the blog isn't fully up-to-date.  Blogsplot is having some technical difficulties, but as soon as I can I will update it.

Thanks,
Whymsy

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman ★★★☆☆

I always knew libraries were magical!

Fiction – Juvenile – Urban Fantasy/Mystery

Age Range: 10 and up  Grade Level: 5 and up

325 pages

Publication Date:  2010

The Grimm Legacy #1

Literary Awards:  Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Children’s Literature (2011), Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee (2012), Texas Lone Star List (2011), YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011)

I was so ridiculously excited about this premise when I found it available at my local library (I now own it thanks to a book fair) that it place jumped to the front of my books to read.  I freely admit, I was completely captivated with the idea of the repository my mind kept wandering as I imagined the possibilities making it hard to pay attention my usual intensity.  It was like a dream come true.  Organizing and sorting interesting objects with amazing stories attached.  How great would this place be?

 I wished it would have been available when I was child, because it would have been an instant favorite and I wouldn’t have noticed the flaws as much.  But sadly as an adult some things did stand out to me.

The first couple of chapters felt rushed, more like someone was blurting out the backstory than setting the scene, but by chapter three the pacing became more comfortable. The cast of characters were just the right side of bland, but this is not really a character based story like I usually enjoy.  Elizabeth’s rushed backstory gave her a bit of dimension, but they were all far from fleshed out.  The mystery was somewhat subpar, with a few glaring story holes.  Also I kind of felt like was jumping in during the middle of the story instead of the beginning.  This isn’t a quality story like Harry Potter or   Maniac Magee, but taken for what it is, a fun little mystery story with a mild romantic element set in an amazing place, it’s nice.  Keeping your expectations minimal in regard to the characters will greatly help in reading with novel. 

The next book is about a whole new cast of main characters and the science fiction wind of the library, which I plan on reading.  It will be pretty awesome I just know it!

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald, Hilary Knight (Illustrator) ★★★☆☆

A fun way to have teaching moments! 

Fiction – Juvenile - Classics

Age Range: 8 and up Grade Level: 3 - 7
119 pages
Publication Date:  1947

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle #1

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle loves children and they love her.  From her upside house to her genius for costumes to the possible pirate treasure in her backyard Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is a child’s delight.  She is also a great help to parents, helping them solve problems and curing childhood behavioral ailments.

Ms. MacDonald has a real understanding of children and has written a manuscript that can withstand the cultural changes more than half a century later.  She starts the story off speaking directly to the in a vocal story telling style, making the story feel very personable and intimate.  The writing is relaxed and easygoing and fun.  A good chapter book to read out loud or have the kids read on their own.    Each chapter presents great teaching moments to talk over while avoiding the pitfalls of preaching and nagging.  Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, is imaginative and whimsical, always ready to play, but still very responsible.  A lot of the names are very silly, but the main issues like, eating slowly and constant fighting among siblings happen all of the time.  The subjects in this book can create a good chance for discussion and a way to spend time with your child.

Book Review Queue

Dear Fellow Readers,

After taking two weeks to get through two chapters of The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester without finding anything to compel me to continue I have decided to abandon this book and try to find other books on this fascinating subject by different authors.

Whymsy