Book Bits are mini-mini-reviews of books that I either don't have time or inclination to review fully. However, I have read the entirety of the books I mention. If you've reviewed any of these books, leave your permalink in the comments so others can check out varying opinions!
Today's list includes books I want to recommend as particularly suited to your summer reading list. What books do you recommend?
A Song for Summer by Eva Ibbotson
May 10th 2007 by Puffin (first published 1996) Paperback, 416 pages
0142408662 (isbn13: 9780142408667)
rating: 5 of 5 stars
A romance to end all romances, set in Austria just before the war. If you've not read any of Ibbotson's YA romances, just know that my heart is beating a little faster simply thinking about this book. Read this, or any of her others (The Morning Gift, The Reluctant Heiress, A Countess Below Stairs, A Company of Swans). Then come back and thank me!
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
May 4th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing(first published 2010)
Hardcover, 352 pages
1416990658 (isbn13: 9781416990659)
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I kept waiting for Matson to flub up, to execute some unforgivable writing mistake. This is an author I really want to hate because the book is just that good and I wish I'd written it. Thank heavens, I get to read it. You'll want to, too.
Aurelia by Anne Osterlund
April 17th 2008 by Puffin (first published April 1st 2008)Paperback, 288 pages
0142405795 (isbn13: 9780142405796)
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I came away with a crush on one of the characters, a respect for intelligent, fiesty, romantic, common-sense Aurelia, and a little bit winded from the twist at the ending I didn't see coming (I'm very difficult to surprise.) Also pick up Academy 7 by Osterlund.
The Cardturner : A Novel about a King, a Queen, and a Joker by Louis Sachar
May 11th 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 192 pages
0385736622 (isbn13: 9780385736626)
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have to say, this was almost better than Holes. Yeah, it's just that good. Plus the best explanation of religion
Hardcover, 192 pages
0385736622 (isbn13: 9780385736626)
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have to say, this was almost better than Holes. Yeah, it's just that good. Plus the best explanation of religion
0 Comments on Book Bits: Summer Reading List as of 1/1/1900
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By: Aerin,
on 8/5/2009
Blog: In Search of Giants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: New Authors, book review, pages read, 100+, AtoZ, book bits, Add a tag
Book Bits are mini-mini-reviews of books
that I either don't have the time or inclination to review fully.
However, I have read in entirety the books mentioned.
Editor's Corner
"Even though my daughter Anna is entering the 6th grade, she still enjoys it when I read to her at bedtime. We have been reading E.H.Gombrich's A Little History of the World,which is a delight to read aloud-the tone is conversational and easy, and historical figures are described in all their humanity, flaws and all. It opens up ample opportunities for us to marvel at how things used to be.
It's harder to make room for read-aloud time now, as much as Anna enjoys it, because she is also increasingly absorbed with her own reading. Recently Anna enjoyed The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate and The Compound. I'm watching her grow more and more passionate about books, but so far-knock on wood-that hasn't diminished her enthusiasm to be read to at night!"
-Sally Doherty, Executive Editor, Henry Holt BYR
A Royal Painby Ellen Conford
September 1990 by Point
Paperback, 171 pages
0590438212 (isbn13: 9780590438216)
3 of 5 stars
what Meg Cabot read to get the inspiration for The Princess Diaries. Conford's novel is what would have happened if Mia had been mistaken.
Running Out of Time
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
2004 (first published 1995) by Scholastic Paperback, 184 pages
0439632501 (isbn13: 9780439632508)
4 of 5 stars
hard to summarize without spoiling; you should read this especially if you grew up in the Midwest
Just in Caseby Meg Rosoff
February 29th 2008 (first published 2007) by Plume
Paperback, 246 pages
0452289378 (isbn13: 9780452289376)
3 of 5 stars
Rosoff's dark indie humor reminds me why I'm not really a fan, but not because she's not a skilled writer
Jinx
by Meg Cabot
August 1st 2007 by HarperTeen
Hardcover, 272 pages0060837640 (isbn13: 9780060837648)
3 of 5 stars
speaking of Queen Meg, this is a fun Practical Magic-meets-Gossip Girl novel with teen romance that's appropriate for younger readers (middle grade)
8 Comments on Book Bits #4: Middle Grade Classics, last added: 8/21/2009
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By: Aerin,
on 7/14/2009
Blog: In Search of Giants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: New Authors, book review, childrens authors, pages read, AtoZ, book bits, Add a tag
The OK Book
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
April 24th 2007 by HarperCollins
0061152552 (isbn13: 9780061152559)
3 of 5 stars
Turn "OK" on its side and you've got the stick figure of a kid! Rosenthal's character explores a lot of way that he/she is "okay." The book is better than okay, but not great - a little long, a little overly "precious." Still a great one to get from the library to read to your own kidlings.
Professor Wormbog in Search for the Zipperump-a-Zoo by Mercer Mayer
September 7th 2001 (first published 1976) by School Specialty Publishing
157768687X (isbn13: 9781577686873)
4 of 5 stars
a more playful version of WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, this book is the story of Professor Wormbog, who can't see things right under his nose. I was a little sensitive to all the animals he kept in cages, but mostly this is a fun romp of a book. Another one to get from the library.
Jamaica Louise James by Amy Hest
August 5th 1996 by Candlewick
Hardcover, 32 pages
1564023486 (isbn13: 9781564023483)
3 of 5 stars
sweet story about a budding NYC artist who lives with her mother and grandmother; too wordy for preschoolers, best for older kids, maybe ages 6 and up
Wombat Walkaboutby Carol Diggory Shields
March 19th 2009 by Dutton Juvenile
Hardcover, 32 pages
0525478655 (isbn13: 9780525478652)
4 of 5 stars
a counting poem chock-full of Australian terms and equally whimsical artwork; for preschoolers and older (there's a dingo who wants to eat the wombats)
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughtersby John Steptoe
March 31st 1987 by Amistad
Hardcover, 32 pages
0688040454 (isbn13: 9780688040451)
4 of 5 stars
one of my favorite stories from around 5th grade or so when I fell in love with fairy tales; an excellent gift book for any little girl who's learning what it means to be a princess; unparalleled artwork
5 Comments on Children's Book Bits #1, last added: 8/1/2009
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By: Aerin,
on 5/19/2009
Blog: In Search of Giants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Earl's Too Cool for Me by Leah KomaikoMay 1st 2003 (first published 1988) by HarperTrophy
Paperback, 40 pages
0060519142 (isbn13: 9780060519148)
rating: 3 of 5 starsEarl's got a bicycle made of hay./He takes rides on the Milky Way./Earl's too cool for me.
When I Was Five by Arthur Howard
August 1st 1999 by Voyager BooksPaperback, 40 pages
0152020993 (isbn13: 9780152020996)
rating: 4 of 5 stars
a book in which "tushy" is a bad word; but more than that, a sweet book for a child turning 6
Tops & Bottoms by Janet StevensMarch 29th 1995 by Harcourt Children's Books
Hardcover, 40 pages
0152928510 (isbn13: 9780152928513)
rating: 3 of 5 stars
Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
May 1st 1993 (first published 1945) by HarperFestival Paperback
0590003860 (isbn13: 9780590003865)
rating: 4 of 5 stars
my son has planted a pot of carrot seeds because of this book
Yo! Yes? by Chris RaschkaJanuary 1st 2007 (first published 1993) by Scholastic Inc.
Paperback, 32 pages
0439921856 (isbn13: 9780439921855)
rating: 3 of 5 stars
fantastic book, wonderful illustrations, nice and simple; three stars because it gets tedious to read over and over and over and over and over
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss
March 1st 1995 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Paperback, 32 pages
0689835248 (isbn13: 9780689835247)
rating: 4 of 5 stars
one of our favorites about a ten-piece orchestra; the writing's as musical as the instruments that are featured
"The STRINGS all soar, the REEDS implore, / The BRASSES roar with notes galore. / It's music that we all adore. / It's what we go to concerts for."
2 Comments on Book Bits #3: Children's Books, last added: 5/21/2009
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I've just got Jinx. Can't wait to tear into it.
All of these books look really good.
Jinx sounds like such fun! I'm going to have to check out A Royal Pain as well. Love the cover for Just in Case...
I'm ashamed to say I've never read any Haddix. That will be fixed soon!!!
Running Out of Time is probably my favorite Haddix book with Just Ella coming in a close second.
Jinx I've looked at so many times, but never picked up.
I hadn't heard of the other two!
Book bits are great - the perfect size for many reviews! I did read one other Haddix but was disappointed...
Oh wow. I had no idea Meg Cabot came up with Mia's story based off A Royal Pain? Is it weird to say that I've actually READ that book? And Running out of Time is a fantastic book.
(P.S I never told you, but your format of how you do reviews was a great inspiration to me, so thank you so much. You rock).
Blogger's Note:
OOPS! I didn't mean to suggest Meg actually based Princess Diaries on ROYAL PAIN. But the two storylines are similar enough to make the comparison.