I love this author's writing style. This book is full of beautiful imagery and adventure. I love this author's writing style. This book is full of beautiful imagery and adventure. ...more
I loved reading The Chocolate Touch as a kid. We just bought this book for Nathaniel. Nathaniel, Hannah, and I read it together in two afternoons, andI loved reading The Chocolate Touch as a kid. We just bought this book for Nathaniel. Nathaniel, Hannah, and I read it together in two afternoons, and they both really enjoyed it. They loved guessing when things would turn into chocolate, and they've been talking about what it would be like if they had the chocolate touch. It's a book that ignites the imagination....more
This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the author's take on the personalities of the gods, Hades in particular. Mr. Riordan has quite the imagination! This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the author's take on the personalities of the gods, Hades in particular. Mr. Riordan has quite the imagination! I found the idea of Kronos and his ability to plant dreams in the heads of the demigods incredibly creepy, but I guess that is the point....more
This was a fun read. I loved the main character, Dylan, a young boy living in the small Welsh town of Manod. He has great pride in Manod and is obliviThis was a fun read. I loved the main character, Dylan, a young boy living in the small Welsh town of Manod. He has great pride in Manod and is oblivious to its many drawbacks (constant rain, poor economy, etc.), though the adults reference them often. He and the other children in his family pull together to help save their family's gas mart from financial ruin.
There were a few sections of the book that dragged a little, but I had to keep reading because the author was so good at throwing something in that would just make me laugh out loud. Dylan relates many of his experiences to the Ninja Turtles, which is popular with the children (and especially with a child-like adult named Tom) in Manod. I couldn't help laughing every time Tom would say incredulously "What the shell?!"
I love the voice and thought processes of Dylan. He is a well-developed character. He and the entire town are greatly affected when paintings from the National Gallery are transferred to their old mountain quarry where the works will be stored to protect them during some bad flooding in London. Dylan realizes that when people see the paintings, the paintings act as a mutagen on the viewers, changing their lives for the better. (He and his friends know all about mutagens because of The Turtles.)
I want someone else to read this book so I can laugh with them about it! ...more
I went backwards and read The Full Cupboard of Life (a book later in the series) first. I like that one better than this one. Mostly because it's moreI went backwards and read The Full Cupboard of Life (a book later in the series) first. I like that one better than this one. Mostly because it's more lighthearted, but this one was still good.
*The only thing I didn't like about this book was reading about her horrible husband. However, it does help you understand her attitude toward men throughout the series....more
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are vacationing at the public baths in London when they receive an unexpected invitation to visit a Mr. Tilney at Northanger Abbey.Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are vacationing at the public baths in London when they receive an unexpected invitation to visit a Mr. Tilney at Northanger Abbey. They are excited to meet him, as his note explains that his mother was friends with Darcy's mother before she passed away. Once they arrive, they receive less than hospitable treatment and leave Northanger Abbey after only one night. Darcy and Elizabeth are apprehended on their trip back to Pemberley after "stolen" diamonds are discovered among their belongings. Elizabeth is pregnant, and she and Darcy must work quickly to prove their innocence before the baby arrives.
I think the author does a great job of keeping the personalities consistent with the ones Jane Austen created. The interactions between Lady Catherine and Elizabeth continue to be frustrating to them, but hilarious to the reader. Then, just when you think Mr. Wickham can't possibly be anymore of a slimeball, he outdoes himself....more
Growing up, I loved reading these books! I liked Trixie Belden much better than the Nancy Drew mysteries, probably because I could relate more easily Growing up, I loved reading these books! I liked Trixie Belden much better than the Nancy Drew mysteries, probably because I could relate more easily to Trixie and her friends. The cases they worked on seemed more realistic, and they didn't have an endless supply of money and cars at their disposal to chase after the villains. :) This is a really fun series. The books were out of print for a long time, but I heard that they've released a new edition of most of the books. I'm excited to start collecting them....more
I loved this book! I just found it with some of my husband's old childhood things. It is written for a younger audience, but I'd recommend it to readeI loved this book! I just found it with some of my husband's old childhood things. It is written for a younger audience, but I'd recommend it to readers of any age.
I would love to meet this author. Gary Paulsen is a wonderful storyteller, and he seems like such an interesting person. He has such a fun sense of humor and a way with animals. He knows their thoughts and motivations. I cannot imagine putting myself into the dangerously freezing cold weather and harsh wild that Mr. Paulsen does so willingly, along with his sled dogs. For him, the time spent outdoors running with his dogs is worth suffering frostbite, debilitating illness, and even hallucinations. He understands his dogs and they understand him. I am grateful to the author for sharing his observations, insights, and adventures.
*I recently reread this book, and was reminded of how gruesome some of the descriptions are. Paulsen gives very detailed descriptions of witnessing wolves attacking a deer or a squirrel killing a chipmunk. I did not enjoy these sections, but they are short. Just warning you. :o)...more
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