The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick
Police Commissioner John Anderton is the founder of the Precrime System, which predicts, arrests, and jails criminals before they actually commit their felonies. Unfortunately, Anderton is predicted to be the next killer. Is he guilty? The only way for him to know is to steal "the minority report", the one hope of finding out the truth.
This short story is the basis of the Tom Cruise movie of the same name. As usual, the movie has made the main character 10 or 20 years younger, made him the second in command, and changed basically the entire plot. I DID NOT like the movie, but maybe that is because Cruise annoys me to death. As for the book, if you like science fiction, it's a good story. I'm not a huge fan, so I can't say I loved it, but it was interesting. *** Average Stars
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Zookeeper's Wife
The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman
This story centers on Jan Zabinski, the director of the Warsaw Zoo, and his wife Antonina. After Poland was overrun by the Nazis and the zoo was bombed, they sheltered 300 Jews from the Warsaw ghetto in the sheds and cages left behind.
There aren't a lot of popular stories about what happened in Poland during WWII. What made this an interesting story to me is that I love animals, but I never thought about the fact that they were in danger just as much as people. I always get way more upset when animals get hurt, so the zoo animals being killed was hard to read. This book is a little tricky to follow, but the story is unique. **** 4 Stars
This story centers on Jan Zabinski, the director of the Warsaw Zoo, and his wife Antonina. After Poland was overrun by the Nazis and the zoo was bombed, they sheltered 300 Jews from the Warsaw ghetto in the sheds and cages left behind.
There aren't a lot of popular stories about what happened in Poland during WWII. What made this an interesting story to me is that I love animals, but I never thought about the fact that they were in danger just as much as people. I always get way more upset when animals get hurt, so the zoo animals being killed was hard to read. This book is a little tricky to follow, but the story is unique. **** 4 Stars
Magic Under Glass
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore
Reading Level: 4.6
AR Points: 8
While performing in a rundown music hall, Nimira is discovered by Hollin Parry, a sorceror, and asked to sing with a "clockwork man" that plays the piano. Nimira discovers that the automaton is really a fairy prince trapped in a robotic body. She struggles to find a way to free the prince, and save herself in the process.
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. The plot sounded confusing and slightly silly, but I enjoyed how everything didn't work out easily. The only downside is the ending... there will obviously be a sequel. ***** 5 Stars
Reading Level: 4.6
AR Points: 8
While performing in a rundown music hall, Nimira is discovered by Hollin Parry, a sorceror, and asked to sing with a "clockwork man" that plays the piano. Nimira discovers that the automaton is really a fairy prince trapped in a robotic body. She struggles to find a way to free the prince, and save herself in the process.
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. The plot sounded confusing and slightly silly, but I enjoyed how everything didn't work out easily. The only downside is the ending... there will obviously be a sequel. ***** 5 Stars
Friday, June 18, 2010
The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Reading Level: 6.3
AR Points: 13
Newly orphaned Mary is sent to live with her uncle. She discovers the wonders of living on the Yorshire moors, as well as the wonders of a mysterious, abandoned garden. As she rebuilds this garden, with the help of two boys, she learns that anything is possible.
I have always loved this story, and have probably seen every movie version of it, but finally read the book. While she begins as a spoiled, yet neglected child, Mary develops into a caring, lovely girl as she learns to see outside of herself. Maybe we should remember that giving someone everything but love, is really giving them nothing at all... Ooo, that's deep. ***** 5 Stars
Reading Level: 6.3
AR Points: 13
Newly orphaned Mary is sent to live with her uncle. She discovers the wonders of living on the Yorshire moors, as well as the wonders of a mysterious, abandoned garden. As she rebuilds this garden, with the help of two boys, she learns that anything is possible.
I have always loved this story, and have probably seen every movie version of it, but finally read the book. While she begins as a spoiled, yet neglected child, Mary develops into a caring, lovely girl as she learns to see outside of herself. Maybe we should remember that giving someone everything but love, is really giving them nothing at all... Ooo, that's deep. ***** 5 Stars
Revolver
Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick
Reading Level: 5.2
AR Points: 5
Outside their remote Scandinavian village, Sig’s father dies of exposure trying to rush home across a frozen lake. Soon a hulking man arrives at the shack with a Colt revolver, demanding his share of a stolen wealth of gold. But Sig has his own Colt hidden in the storeroom, plus some questions. Who is this man? Is there really a hidden treasure? And, most importantly, can he bring himself to use that revolver to save himself and his family?
This is a "guy's book" that everyone can enjoy. The story sucks you in as you try to guess whether the father really did steal the gold, and whether Sig will outwit the stranger. ***** 5 Stars
Reading Level: 5.2
AR Points: 5
Outside their remote Scandinavian village, Sig’s father dies of exposure trying to rush home across a frozen lake. Soon a hulking man arrives at the shack with a Colt revolver, demanding his share of a stolen wealth of gold. But Sig has his own Colt hidden in the storeroom, plus some questions. Who is this man? Is there really a hidden treasure? And, most importantly, can he bring himself to use that revolver to save himself and his family?
This is a "guy's book" that everyone can enjoy. The story sucks you in as you try to guess whether the father really did steal the gold, and whether Sig will outwit the stranger. ***** 5 Stars
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Hiding Place
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Reading Level: 6.4
AR Points: 13
As the Nazis swept through Europe, a watchmaker's family in Holland tried to help Jews escape to freedom. They are caught and sent to Ravensbruck. Will their faith endure even in a concentration camp?
I have read this book several times and never fail to be inspired by the quiet strength of the main characters. The story reminds me how I should constantly look for ways to be thankful, helpful, and stay true to my beliefs. When Corrie berates herself for being selfish (in a concentration camp!!!), I think of how I don't have ANYTHING to complain about in my life. Rating ***** 5 Stars
Reading Level: 6.4
AR Points: 13
As the Nazis swept through Europe, a watchmaker's family in Holland tried to help Jews escape to freedom. They are caught and sent to Ravensbruck. Will their faith endure even in a concentration camp?
I have read this book several times and never fail to be inspired by the quiet strength of the main characters. The story reminds me how I should constantly look for ways to be thankful, helpful, and stay true to my beliefs. When Corrie berates herself for being selfish (in a concentration camp!!!), I think of how I don't have ANYTHING to complain about in my life. Rating ***** 5 Stars
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Something from the Nightside
Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green
This is the 1st book in the Nightside series.
John Taylor is has a talent for finding lost things. He is convinced to return to the Nightside, where fantasy and reality collide and morning never comes, to find a woman's runaway daughter.
I LOVE this series. The characters are quirky and likable, even when they're killing people :) WARNING: Many people die! John Taylor is a man to be feared and even avoided, if only because of his mysterious parentage and "inner eye". The secrets surrounding his background are a constant theme in all of the books, but each has a separate story to solve. These books are great weekend or summer reads. Rating ***** Stars
This is the 1st book in the Nightside series.
John Taylor is has a talent for finding lost things. He is convinced to return to the Nightside, where fantasy and reality collide and morning never comes, to find a woman's runaway daughter.
I LOVE this series. The characters are quirky and likable, even when they're killing people :) WARNING: Many people die! John Taylor is a man to be feared and even avoided, if only because of his mysterious parentage and "inner eye". The secrets surrounding his background are a constant theme in all of the books, but each has a separate story to solve. These books are great weekend or summer reads. Rating ***** Stars
Raven Speak
Raven Speak by Diane Lee Wilson
Reading Level: 6.6
AR Points: 10
The men of the Viking clan have sailed off to find food for their starving people, with Asa Coppermane, the chieftain's strongwilled daughter, helplessly watching them go. In the meantime, Jorgen, the clans' wise man, is eager for his power over the people to be complete. A battle between Asa and Jorgen forces Asa to flee on her horse. She meets Wenda, an old, on-eyed woman who speaks to her crows and seems to know everything about Asa and her clan. Will she help Asa save her people?
I like this book more than I thought I would... I liked Asa, probably since she loved horses so much. The characters were also believeable; the strength that Asa shows is pretty amazing, but she only does what she feels she has to do... she's tough but not super-human. Rating: **** 4 Stars
Reading Level: 6.6
AR Points: 10
The men of the Viking clan have sailed off to find food for their starving people, with Asa Coppermane, the chieftain's strongwilled daughter, helplessly watching them go. In the meantime, Jorgen, the clans' wise man, is eager for his power over the people to be complete. A battle between Asa and Jorgen forces Asa to flee on her horse. She meets Wenda, an old, on-eyed woman who speaks to her crows and seems to know everything about Asa and her clan. Will she help Asa save her people?
I like this book more than I thought I would... I liked Asa, probably since she loved horses so much. The characters were also believeable; the strength that Asa shows is pretty amazing, but she only does what she feels she has to do... she's tough but not super-human. Rating: **** 4 Stars
Hex Hall
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Reading Level: 5.2
AR Points: 10
After a love potion horrifically backfires, Sophie Mercer is sent to Hecate Hall, a boarding school for magical students. She soon learns that a mysterious predator is attacking students, and that Sophie's roommate and friend, the only vampire on campus, is the main suspect.
This book is better than the typical "I need to learn how to use my powers" story, although it still has a lot of the typical characters. I guess popular, rude teenagers exist everywhere though, along with adults that don't feel kids are "mature" enough to know the truth. I am assuming that this is the first book in a series... at the end you're left with a lot of loose ends. Rating: **** 4 Stars for magic-school loving readers
Reading Level: 5.2
AR Points: 10
After a love potion horrifically backfires, Sophie Mercer is sent to Hecate Hall, a boarding school for magical students. She soon learns that a mysterious predator is attacking students, and that Sophie's roommate and friend, the only vampire on campus, is the main suspect.
This book is better than the typical "I need to learn how to use my powers" story, although it still has a lot of the typical characters. I guess popular, rude teenagers exist everywhere though, along with adults that don't feel kids are "mature" enough to know the truth. I am assuming that this is the first book in a series... at the end you're left with a lot of loose ends. Rating: **** 4 Stars for magic-school loving readers
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Brave Companions; Portraits in History
Brave Companions: Portraits in History by David McCullough
A compilation of 17 biographies of people that changed the shape of the nation. They include, among others, a scientist, writer, artist, and engineer that had a far-reaching influence on our culture.
Being a history buff, I enjoyed learning more about people that I just knew as names, like Frederick Remington. The stories were readable and entertaining, especially the essay about the pioneers of aviation. Antoine de Saint-Exupery, who also wrote The Little Prince, especially moved me. Not only did he love to fly, he loved humanity, and died flying during World War II.
The last section was probably the only section I didn't love... McCullough wrote about what is worth exploring in the Washington, D.C. area. Although it was interesting, it wandered too much, so my mind wandered too. I would have given the book 5 stars if it had ended a section earlier. Rating: **** 4 Stars
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Ghosts of Kerfol
The Ghosts of Kerfol by Deborah Noyes
A.R. Reading Level: 6.4
Quiz Points: 6Beginning with a story set in 17th Century France, this collection of five stories center around one haunted house. The first story features a young wife and her abusive, older husband. Although the master of the house kills his wife's dogs one by one, the story ends with him found dead, mysteriously mauled by dogs. The four following, inter-connected stories also involve these dogs, and take place from 1802 to 2006.
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