Jaemi's Reading
Reviews on this Page: Peter and the Starcatchers | Prom | The Field Guide | Chasing Vermeer | Sexy | The Golden Hour | Green Angel | Dragon Rider

Reviews on Page 10: Prep | Head Games | Blink | The Edge Chronicles | Crank | Trickster's Queen | Dry | Running with Scissors
Magical Thinking | Playing in Traffic

Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
Peter and the StarcatchersEver wonder about the origins of Neverland? How did they all get there? Where did Peter Pan come from? The mermaids, Tinker Bell, the pirates and the Indians...how did they all end up there together? Well, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson did, and this books gives us their ideas.

I think the idea is pretty ingenious. In some ways, things seem slightly easy to foretell, but in other ways, sometimes you're just riveted, waiting to see how this will all come together. I found the origins of the mermaids and Tink in particular to be pretty clever. And Mr. Grin alone makes it all worth it.

Prom, by Laurie Halse Anderson
PromThis is a story about the normal kids.

Ashley never wanted to go to the Prom. In fact, she hated the entire idea. But for her friends, the Prom was what it is to many high schoolers---everything. So when they nearly lose their most special night, only to be bailed out by most unexpected sources, the emotions run high.

The event itself is a bit of a Cinderella story all around, but especially for Ashley, though she isn't spared being arrested. But all's well that ends well, and this book does.

The Field Guide, by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
The Field GuideThis was anpther very fun and exciting little read. I could probably plow through the entire series in a day if I had them all.

The Grace children have moved to a new home, and from minute one things are going wrong. The walls creak, people wake up with their hair tied to their bed, the kitchen is destroyed, and meanwhile Jared believes he has the answers in a book he found hidden in the attic, written by his aunt's father. The trouble is will anyone believe him. And beyond that, once they DO believe him....what do you do with what you know?
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Chasing Vermeer, by Blue Balliet
Chasing VermeerThis book was a lot of fun to read. It reminded me a little of a Da Vinci code for younger minds, only in some ways this book was a lot trickier. Throughout, there is a pentomino code, and another hidden code which I never tried to decipher, although I saw the clues. Codes aren't my thing. But I was still pulling out a notebook to decrypt the letters going between two friends in certain chapters.

I think this is a really original and unique book, that looks at things in all sorts of ways--ways we might usually not. The range of topics covered is somewhat broad, but they flow together, and while in some cases the thinking behind it all seems highly advanced, at the same time, younger people tend to be much more open to "crazy" and wild ideas than some of their more learned counterparts who "know better."

If you like mysteries, puzzles, or art, definitely give this book a read.

Sexy, by Joyce Carol Oates
SexyFrom about page 3 of this book until the end, I was confused. Something about the style, the way the words come at you, left me feeling like I was a couple steps removed and my filter slightly broken. And yet this was a quick read, and for all that you feel foggy, the story is easily enough understood. Search for self, mob mentality, cowardice versus bravery, the things that are done to innocent people just because they can be... Not a friendly book, in many ways, but a true one. And worth the read.
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The Golden Hour, by Maiya Williams
The Golden HourThis is another one of those books I grabbed before it even hit the shelf at my other job. It just looked good. And it sounded rather unique. And it was.

This is a book that has a bit of something for everyone: time travel for the sci-fi lover, a place that can only be seen two hours out of a day (and the time travel) for fantasy lovers, lessons learned about life and self for the realist in us, and plain old fun and excitement for the rest.

The very beginning might take some bearing with; while it peaks your interest and curiosity, it also at times seems slightly random and can leave you feeling a little lost. But hanging in there is definitely worth it. The story picks up quickly and then becomes hard to put down. And while I wondered briefly how on earth it would wrap up in time and not be destined for life as a serial, it did. And remarkably well at that. So, if you need some time out of your life, try this little time-hopping jaunt. It's sure to get you away.

Green Angel, by Alice Hoffman
Green AngelAmazing book. I can see why it's on a favorite's list. It's one of those things where I just want to hand it to people. Hoping maybe even if they never read it, somehow the message would be understood. The magic would just come through. That's what I had to say after finishing this book Friday, not all that long after having picked it up. I'm not sure I could do it much justice by adding to the original impression. This is one of those stories you just know you could read again and again. It's Life, it's Hope. And what can you ever say about those without sounding little?
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Dragon Rider, by Cornelia Funk
Dragon RiderHuman beings, fabulous creatures, myth and fairy tale, reality, legends coming true---this is what you get when you take a dragon in search of a new, yet ancient, home and boy who never had home or family, pair them up with a forest brownie and send then in search of the Rim of Heaven.

I have to say, for all the fantasy I've read, I ran across some creatures here that I didn't recall having heard of. And each facbulous creature is fascinating in its own right, each with their own quirks and stories. The basilisk (very unlike Harry Potter's), mountain dwarves, a homunculus....yes, there's no short of fabulous creatures in this story. Especially since they attract one another, and the quest for the Rim of Heaven requires a journey half way around the world.

With a map bought from a rat, they set out from a city, meeting a Professor who knows more about fabulous creatures than any of them along the way. Obtacles are not in short measure, including finding they're being spied on, nearly crashing in the ocean when an eclipse blocks out the moon, landing on a sea serpent and getting a ride, and being chased by the most fearsome and deadly fabulous creature of all.

Just when all hope is seeming lost, the travling trio happen upon none other than the niece of the rat who made their map. And with her help, they find their way. From there on out it's all suspense, excitement, and hope.

The only aspect of this book I didn't like is that it's clunky to hold, but it wasn't enough to deter me from sticking with the story, which was definitely worth it. If you decide to give it a shot and like it, or have read it and like it, give Inkheart a try, if you haven't. Also a Cornelia Funke tale worth the reading.



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