Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society

 

















The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart


Summary: (amazon)

"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"

When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.

As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?

Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.

My Thoughts:

My first instinct of this book was "Oh no, it's another one of those band of kids who joins some kind of union and goes on a misson." I have read hundreds of those books. But, while the gist was cliche` the writing out shadowed it by far. This novel was perfectly unique story wise, and fantastically whimsical writing wise. While some parts were unnecessary and dragged on, for the most part it kept you on the edge of your seat! The characters too are wonderful and different. Overall it was a beautifully written book and I would recommend it.

Content: Cautious--some scary scenes

My Rating: 4 stars (I really liked it)

PG, 12 and Up

Book Review: Waterfall

 
 Waterfall by Lisa Bergren

Summary: (amazon)

Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one.
Remaining means giving up all she’s known and loved … and leaving means forfeiting what she’s come to know—and love itself.

 

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. In Book One of the River of Time series, Gabi and Lia are stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, boring, and dusty archeological site … until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

 

My Thoughts:

 

I loved this book. It was the perfect mix of action, suspense, and romance. The writing was rich and beautiful, the idea was perfect. Although, I wasn't loving any of the characters and the plot wasn't terribly well thought through. I typically find time travel novels silly and cheesy. But I just loved this one, it was very well done. It would be the perfect book club/travel/school read. I would definately recommend this novel.

Content: Cautious--drama, romance suspense, kissing, blood and gore, action

My Rating: 5 stars (I loved it)

PG13, 12 and Up

Book Review: Northanger Alibi

 

















Northanger Alibi by Jenni James

Summary: (amazon)

 The Russo family and Seattle, Washington, are no match for Claire Hart and her savvy knowledge of all things vampire-related. Thanks to her obsession with the Twilight series, if there is anyone who would know a vampire when she saw one, it's Claire. And she's positive totally hot Tony Russo is a vampire - she just has to prove it!

My Thoughts:

While I am LOVING this series, this one was on the weirder end for me. I couldn't follow on Claire's obsession for Twilight and thought it was silly. I love Claire, I think she's really cute, fun, and spunky. I wasn't loving any of the other characters though, and so far its my least favorite of the series.

Content: Cautious--kissing, drama

My Rating: 3 stars (it was decent)

PG, 12 and Up

Book Review: The Westing Game

 















The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Summary: (amazon)

A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, on things for sure: Sam Westing may be dead…but that won’t stop him from playing one last game!

My Thoughts:

I was really excited for this book. I had heard it was a fun, sparky, whimsical murder mystery. I was pretty disappointed.   First of all, it is way too confusing. There are sixteen different characters and stories to keep up with, which is way to much. When you do have more than a dozen ideas to keep up with, you can't feel close or get to know any of the characters. The plot and ending was weird and it didn't make sense. On the other hand, the writing was whimsical and fun. It was just too much and too confusing.

Content: Cautious--some description, scary ideas

My Rating: 2 stars (I didn't like it)

PG, 10 and Up

Book Review: The Rent Collector

 The Rent Collector by Camron Wright

Summary: (amazon)

 This fictional story, based on actual accounts, follows a Cambodian family that lives at--and makes their living from--Stung Meanchey, the largest municipal waste dump in all of Cambodia. as her husband scavenge the dump for things to sell, Sang Ly tries to find a way to heal her ailing son. When she discovers that the bad-tempered rent collector can read, Sang LY begs the woman to teach her. The unlikely relationship is the beginning of a life-changing quest. It is a story of hope, determination, and the strength of family. It is the journey of one woman to save her son and another womans chance at redemption. It demonstrates that even in a dump in Cambodia--perhaps especially in a dump in Cambodia--everyone deserves a second chance.

 My Thoughts:

I really liked this novel. First of all the setting was very interesting. I was surprised to know that Sung Meanchey a real place, and that aspect was thought provoking.  But the plot was slow--extremely slow, and there wasn't a climax. Something happens in the end and your think "was the author trying to leave clues and build up to this point"? But the author didn't and a little bit of a mystery in the book would have been nice. The Rent Collector was well written, and I enjoyed the characters. Sang Ly's journey with the Rent Collector was bland, and not very exciting. Although, it is a sweet, thought provoking novel. It really makes you think! Overall, it wasn't a very thrilling or excited book. But it was worth it, and I would recommend it.

Content: Cautious, violence, gross\gorey descriptions, alcoholism

My Rating: 4 stars (I liked it)

PG, 12 and up

Book Review: Pride and Popularity

 
















Pride and Popularity by Jenni James

Summary: (amazon)

Chloe Elizabeth Hart despises the conceited antics of the popular crowd, or more importantly, one very annoying self-possessed guy, Taylor Anderson, who seems determined to make her the president of his fan club! As if! Every girl in the whole city of Farmington, New Mexico, is in love with him, but he seems to be only interested in Chloe. This modern high school adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is a battle of wits as Chloe desperately tries to remain the only girl who can avoid the inevitable falling for Taylor.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in the Jane Austen Diaries. I read this one after Emmalee, which was the third book in the series. As much as I liked Emmalee, this one was way better. Chloe is a fantastic character, and Taylor is just awesome. There was more kissing than I would have liked, and the writing was bland. But it was un-put-downable! I LOVED it! I would definitely recommend this for tween\teen girls.

Content: Cautious--boy tries to drug girl, kissing, drama

My Rating: 5 stars (I loved it)

PG, 12 and UP

Poems

How do you write poems? Do you rhyme? Do you add a steady rhythm? Are your poems long? Or short?

Tell me!

Here is my absolute favorite poem by Robert Frost:

And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;	5
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,	10
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.	15
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.	20

What's your favorite poem?