I loved the original Percy Jackson series and have read it with my kids a couple time. I thought I'd give the graphic novel adaptations a try. I read I loved the original Percy Jackson series and have read it with my kids a couple time. I thought I'd give the graphic novel adaptations a try. I read the first one a couple weeks ago and could only give it 2 stars because the art wasn't consistent with the characters from one panel to the next and the plot was so choppy and abridged that I wouldn't have been able to follow it if I hadn't read the original novel. I decided to give the series one more chance and wow, this one is worse! Well, the art consistency problem is pretty much solved, but this one is even more lacking in the plot department. Even with having read the original book before several times, there were multiple places in the graphic novel where I had no clue what was happening. It jumps right into the story with no explanation of what's happened since the last book ended, then jumps around from action scene to action scene with no linking explanation or story line. I had hoped the series would be get better, instead it got worse and I won't be continuing it. I'll go back to the original source material - the novels by Riordan are awesome! These adaptations are not....more
Mina is a quiet, thoughtful 12-year-old girl who is passionate about seeing the world and making a difference in it. Since she's quiet, most people, iMina is a quiet, thoughtful 12-year-old girl who is passionate about seeing the world and making a difference in it. Since she's quiet, most people, including her family, don't realize how passionate and thoughtful she really is; they think she's shy and timid. When her weather "beast" hatches and turns out to be a storm beast, everyone but her is shocked and thinks it must be some kind of mistake. Nope, no mistake! "A true heart is never a mistake."
So, off she goes to the school for storm beasts and their guardians where she discovers that all is not as it seems. Will she have the courage to stand up for what's right, despite the personal cost? And, if she finds the courage, will anyone listen to her?
This book is a beautiful example of the power of introverts - you can be quiet AND strong at the same time....more
The illustrations are gorgeous, the sparse rhyming text just isn't enough for the target audience (toddlers and preschoolers) to have a clue what the The illustrations are gorgeous, the sparse rhyming text just isn't enough for the target audience (toddlers and preschoolers) to have a clue what the story line is. I would use this one-on-one and really look and dive deep into the expressions in the eyes of the people, but not in big a group setting like story time....more
Illustrated exclusively with photos of Theo (2 1/2 year old toddler) and Beau (his dog), this fun little book shows the friends getting dirty at the bIllustrated exclusively with photos of Theo (2 1/2 year old toddler) and Beau (his dog), this fun little book shows the friends getting dirty at the beach and then taking a bath to get clean. Too simple for older preschoolers, but great for toddlers!...more
This was enjoyable, despite needing some more editing. One more pass through with a good editor would have helped tighten things up and bring it from This was enjoyable, despite needing some more editing. One more pass through with a good editor would have helped tighten things up and bring it from a 3 star read to a 4 star read. There was too much extraneous stuff that bogged down the main plot.
However, the kernels for greatness are definitely here! The Hawaiian mythology is fascinating and it was easy to picture the setting. I look forward to reading the next installment and seeing where the story goes....more
A quick read that drew me in immediately, this book is a prequel novella for a series called The Balkan Legends. I haven't read anything else in the sA quick read that drew me in immediately, this book is a prequel novella for a series called The Balkan Legends. I haven't read anything else in the series yet, but this book piqued my interest. If you're a fan of historical fiction, definitely check this one out!...more
This is an adaptation of the original novel and it just doesn't live up to its source material. First, there's too much of the plot left out, if I hadThis is an adaptation of the original novel and it just doesn't live up to its source material. First, there's too much of the plot left out, if I hadn't read the original novel, I wouldn't have been able to actually follow the story line. Also, the art isn't consistent. Characters don't look the same from panel to panel and especially at the begining, it's hard to keep them straight. I'm disappointed, I really expected better from Riordan - did he not have any say in who did the adapting or how it was done? 2 stars...more
I heard the author speak at the Texas Library Association Conference and she was personable and honest and entertaining. I was reminded how much I enjI heard the author speak at the Texas Library Association Conference and she was personable and honest and entertaining. I was reminded how much I enjoyed her other books that I've read: Daisy Jones & the Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Malibu Rising. I decided to go back and read the rest of her books. I started with this one because it was her first and she actually talked about it at the conference. Reid mentioned that one of the reasons she writes is to face her fears and explore her own feelings. One of her great fears is losing her husband, whom she deeply loves. So, to process those feelings of fear, she wrote this book.
This is definitely a first novel, and not my favorite that I've read by Reid (that honor goes to Evelyn Hugo! But, it was still well-written and an enjoyable, thought-provoking read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys books that make you explore your own feelings....more
This is a companion novel to Life As We Knew It, and it was entertaining enough, but not great. I wanted more action to move the plot along a little fThis is a companion novel to Life As We Knew It, and it was entertaining enough, but not great. I wanted more action to move the plot along a little faster....more
Interesting and far more readable and accessible than I expected, this is a broad, but not deep, history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SInteresting and far more readable and accessible than I expected, this is a broad, but not deep, history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from it's earliest origins through the martyrdom of the prophet and founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1844 and the beginnings of the trek west in 1845. It's a great overview to get a general idea of events and a good jumping off point from which to do more research on anything in particular that interests you....more
Torn paper illustrations with pull-out spreads tell the story of all the different kinds of people (staff/students/etc.) who are waiting for you to joTorn paper illustrations with pull-out spreads tell the story of all the different kinds of people (staff/students/etc.) who are waiting for you to join them at school. It's rhyming and fun, my only complaint it that, although there's a lot of diversity in the students and staff, except that the principal, PE teacher, and custodian are all male and the rest of the staff is female. I'm bothered by that the illustration took such care to include POC in the illustrations, but stuck to such steretypical gender roles. Sigh....more
Willow, a shy rabbit, lives inside an abandoned mailbox. When a little boy drops in a letter one day with a birthday wish for his mother, Willow deterWillow, a shy rabbit, lives inside an abandoned mailbox. When a little boy drops in a letter one day with a birthday wish for his mother, Willow determines that she must make sure it gets delivered. Adventure ensues. Several of the spreads are wordless, but they are gorgeous! This would make a nice one-on-one or group read with kids who are patient enough to admire the illustrations....more
A nice introduction to the Hindu god Ganesha and the Mahabharata. The story itself is a little on the complicated end, but not too much for preschooleA nice introduction to the Hindu god Ganesha and the Mahabharata. The story itself is a little on the complicated end, but not too much for preschoolers, until you match it with the illustrations. They are done in a very specific illustration style to match the traditional myth, it's very busy. I wouldn't use this book with preschoolers because I don't think they'll get it and will be bored. However, I would definitely use it with kids 7+ and discuss different cultural traditions and creation myths. It's a fun story.
Twins Violet and Victor collaborate to write a story, with a bit of bickering along the way. This is a nice group read aloud to discuss the writing prTwins Violet and Victor collaborate to write a story, with a bit of bickering along the way. This is a nice group read aloud to discuss the writing process and collaboration, and the illustrations are superb. However, so much of it is in word bubble format and the concept is a little more intangible, so I wouldn't use it in preschool story time. I might use it in my afterschool program with kids 6+....more
I'm seriously freaked out after reading this book. The idea that someone could be so evil, meticulous, and intelligent is disturbing on so many levelsI'm seriously freaked out after reading this book. The idea that someone could be so evil, meticulous, and intelligent is disturbing on so many levels. Also disturbing is how incredibly incompetent or powerless the law enforcement officials were! Why did nobody force the DA to stay in his lane and let the investigation proceed as it should??
This book is extremely well-researched and the writing is engaging and flows well. If you're looking for true crime, this is definitely the book for you! ...more
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