This work was overall enjoyable, and had some chapters that were really exceptional, and others that were kind of ho-hum. While it did fall on the sidThis work was overall enjoyable, and had some chapters that were really exceptional, and others that were kind of ho-hum. While it did fall on the side of enjoyable, my children rarely begged me for a 2nd chapter before bed. There is a pretty shocking racial slur slipped in by the dear old uncle at the end. I realize the book is old, but I still felt startled by how it just popped up in there. Luckily, I read a bit ahead as I'm reading aloud and skipped that line.
Overall, a sometimes hilarious book, but I found the first half was much better than the second. ...more
Just as traumatic as I remembered, but I read it to my middle grade kids as an instructive piece on bullying. It opened up a lot of great conversationJust as traumatic as I remembered, but I read it to my middle grade kids as an instructive piece on bullying. It opened up a lot of great conversations....more
This book follows Kayla, who loves Double Dutch and wants to compete with her Brooklyn team. Insert parents on the verge of divorcing, and she is sentThis book follows Kayla, who loves Double Dutch and wants to compete with her Brooklyn team. Insert parents on the verge of divorcing, and she is sent to the South to stay with her nemesis cousin while her parents work it out. Spoiler: she and her cousin bond over Double Dutch, and manage to put together an unlikely team. My 10 year olds loved it. Caveat: there is some minor cursing in this book, and more kissing than I'm used to reading in this book's age bracket. Nothing graphic, but a lot of "fireworks" and smooching in a couple of scenes. It was fine for us, but maybe not for some kids/parents. With the main characters in middle school, it could go either the way of young adult or children's for classification, and I think it fell a little more on the teen side. ...more
This was great! While I knew that Robin Hood was a legendary figure, I had no idea how old these legends are, but the excerpts at the beginning of eacThis was great! While I knew that Robin Hood was a legendary figure, I had no idea how old these legends are, but the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter really enhanced that sense of age and timelessness. Maid Marian is fierce, along with Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett, Little John, and Robin Hood of course. As an adult, you could see a little bawdiness possible in the tales, and for kids it is just great adventure. The story tied together and came to a touching conclusion. I plan on reading this author's interpretation of the Arthurian legends to my kids next....more
My 9 year olds and I really enjoyed reading this tale of a daring rescue to return the prince to his magical home after he was kidnapped by a regular My 9 year olds and I really enjoyed reading this tale of a daring rescue to return the prince to his magical home after he was kidnapped by a regular human. Lots of fun, sweetness, humor and adventure. The bad family had a lot in common with The Dursleys from Harry Potter or Veruca Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory....more
Super syrupy, but in the best possible way. Little Cedric Errol finds himself the unexpected beneficiary of one grumpy grandfather, enough money to doSuper syrupy, but in the best possible way. Little Cedric Errol finds himself the unexpected beneficiary of one grumpy grandfather, enough money to do good in the world, and next in line for the title of Earl. I read this out loud to my kids, and we all loved it. For those who just couldn't get behind the sweetness, try reading it out loud to a couple of 9 year olds, with little Cedric's pure and gushing belief in his grandfather's goodness, which is hilarious because he was such an awful man to begin with. This is a classic redemption story, with plenty of giggles if you read it that way. The overall message is endearing, with a HEA for almost everyone. I won't say that I like it as much as The Secret Garden but I do like it as much as A Little Princess (also by this author). ...more
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