Review - Via My Son: Stinky Cecil: Terrarium Terror by Paige Braddock

Title: Stinky Cecil
Author: Paige Braddock

Stinky Cecil is back in a hilarious new adventure!

Cecil and his amphibian pals are taking a well-deserved break after saving their pond from freeway construction when a third-grade science class shows up for a field trip. The kids nab Cecil for their classroom terrarium!

At first Cecil is terrified, but he quickly gets used to being a class pet. That is, until Nesbit the chameleon shows up. Nesbit wants to be just like Cecil, so he matches his colors and follows him all around the terrarium. He’s driving Cecil crazy!

Meanwhile, Cecil’s pals back at the pond are planning a rescue mission using Jeff the hamster’s radio controlled helicopter. But what will they do about Nesbit?

Join the whole pond gang for this second delightful environmental romp.

This review is based completely on my 8 year old's reaction with the book.  A while back I reviewed the first book in this series (see it HERE).  When I got that book for review, I showed it to my son.  He was interested, but didn't take it right away.  But what I noticed was that slowly it kept disappearing and ending up in his room.  He liked it but didn't want me to know.  

Now this one shows up.  I have it sitting out, and he noticed it.  

Here's what went down:

Son looking at the book trying not to look interested, "Mom, what's that?" Pointing shyly at it.

Me looking around to see what he means and spotting the book, inside I start to giggle because I know he's interested but doesn't want to say, "Oh that's a book I got for review."

He's silent for a minute just kinda staring at it. 

"Do you want to look at it?"

He nods, takes it.  Walks off.  It hasn't left his side since then. 

Seriously it hasn't! He loved it!!! He's read it several times, and he keeps showing me the picture of a worm (or is it a snake) with glasses on and giggles.  What makes me excited about this is that I've been arguing with him lately to read something beyond Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  So to see him get pulled into this one makes me very happy!!! 

In full disclosure I haven't read this book, but I'm guessing it's a lot like the first one.  And I really don't feel I need to read it this time in order to review it because the reaction of my son speaks volumes for me!

Review: Cool Creations in 35 Pieces

Title: Cool Creations in 35 Pieces
Author: Sean Kenney
Genre: Nonfiction
Ages: ALL!

About the Book

Building with LEGO® pieces can inspire children and adults alike to construct wonderfully imaginative and grand creations – towering castles, massive aircrafts, and intricate cities. But LEGO models don’t have to be complicated to be fun and exciting. InCool Creations in 35 Pieces, best-selling author and artist Sean Kenney taps deep into his imagination with an exercise that will challenge readers of all ages. He creates dozens of figures—from menacing robots with names like Blurg and Scraps, to transforming trucks, to creatures that live in the rainforest—out of LEGOs, but uses no more than 35 pieces in each construct.

Cool Creations in 35 Pieces is Sean’s sixth book that showcases his LEGO art work. His intricate-yet-simple designs will inspire millions of LEGO fans to unleash their own imaginations. He provides starting points, and also includes a step-by-step instruction guide on how he created his pieces.

About the Author

Sean Kenney is an artist who creates sculptures and models out of LEGO bricks at his studio in New York City. A LEGO-certified professional, Kenney has toured the world with his creations and produced six inspirational and instructive children’s books, including Cool Castles, Cool Robots, among others. To find out more information about his books and artwork, visit seankenney.com.

My Son's Thoughts

I have a 12 year old son who loves Legos.  This is him a few years back after a trip to the Lego store.

He constantly amazes me with the creations he comes up with.  Several years ago he made a Titanic look alike! So when I was offered this book for review I knew I had the perfect expert for it sitting right in my house! I told him about the book, and he was interested right away.  He asked if it was here yet several times as we waited for it to arrive. Finally it came!

I watched him pour over the ideas in the book, and then instantly went over to our HUGE two tubs of Legos and start digging.  Within 15 minutes he had made a few of the ideas. 

Here's what he did:

So later I asked him what he thought about the book.  You need to understand my son is a boy of few words when it comes to praising something! Just getting to say he likes something can be difficult.

Here was our exchange

Me: What did you think of it?

Him: It was good.

Me: Was there ideas in there that you liked?

Him: Yes.

Me: A lot or just a few?

Him: A lot.

Me: Did you find things you hadn't thought of?

Him: Yes.  I mean I hadn't thought of making the city like it showed.

Me: What did you make that you liked?

Him: Well...... the city like I said.  Also the gas station.

Me: Were the instructions good?

Him: Yes

Me: To keep it fair was there anything you didn't like?

Him: There was a few things shown in the pictures that I couldn't find in the instructions.

Me: Did you just miss them?  

Him: No.

(I verified this.....)

Me: Do you think it's a good book?

Him: Yes.

Me: Why?

Him: Because it had good ideas and you only needed a few bricks.  Except sometimes they were rare bricks and I had to dig to find them.

Me: Did it show you some ways to use bricks that you hadn't thought of before?

Him: Yes (and then he went on to explain what brick and EXACTLY how you used it in a way he hadn't thought of but as a non-Lego person I didn't get it)

Me: So it was a good book and you'd give it a good review?

Him: Yes

Isn't he just detailed???? So according to a 12 year old boy who loves Legos this is a good book.  As his mom - I liked it because it kept him busy NOT on the computer.  I'd suggest it for any Lego lovers you have in your life.  It would be a perfect holiday gift!

Ps I liked the Nutty Animals and Goofy Faces- cute ideas there. 

Let Me Explain My Blog to You

As I'm looking at the new school year starting, I'm also thinking about my blog.  Here's why.  

This school year I will begin teaching one class each of 5-8th grade high potential students.  For the last 10 years I've taught straight 7th grade with one class a day of readers who struggle.  This school year is going to be different, challenging, scary, AMAZING! But I couldn't be more excited about it.  The thing is that as I look at changes as a teacher, I'm looking at changes in my blog.  

As I've always said my blog reviews middle grade books (MG), but I have a waaaaaaaaaaay different definition of middle grade than the publishing industry.  I want to try to explain it.

The industry classifies MG as 9-12 year olds and YA as 12+ or sometimes 14+.  When I taught 7th graders only I had 12-13 yr olds.  Do you see how that crosses both definitions????  And some kids were completely on that YA end while some were completely on the MG end.  If you've never taught middle school or had a child in middle school you know how different kids this age can be.  Well now this year add in the fact I'll be teaching 10 and 11 year olds on the young side and 13-14 year olds on the old side! That's a span of 10-14! Now 21-25 year olds - they aren't that different.  But 10-14!!!! OH YIKES!!

That means the type of books I'm looking at just widened by a ton.  

What does this mean for the blog???? You'll see:

• Way more diversity of what I read and review.  It may seemed very unfocused to you, but for mean it will be my job :)
• You'll see more clear marking of what books are for what ages.  I may label a book YMG (young middle grade) or OYA (old young adult), so you know where it falls.  Just typing this now makes me realize I should create a four label system and put it in my sidebar.  Using baby owls to older owls would be cute.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm :-D Maybe I could even get a boy owl to mark a book "guy friendly". 
• I might be asking you for more help when it comes to finding books.  Especially as I navigate the younger crowd.  I have NEVER taught anyone younger than 12!!
• And you may see fewer posts.  I try to post every day, but as I'm learning this new job I may not have the time,

I know that the diversity of books I'll be looking at may lose me some followers that are really only looking for one more specific level, but my hope is that others will find more of what they need!

Thanks for sticking with The O.W.L.  As excited as I am about my new job, I'm also excited about what it means I can bring to my blog.  It's going to be a fantastic year!!!

To kick this off - can you tell me:
a great MG book you've read lately? 
or What cute labels would you give to the different levels of books I'll review? 
or Your sympothy for going from teaching one prep to 4! 
or Good luck!  

And maybe, just maybe I'll pick a responder and give them a prize.  What is that prize?  IDK we'll see!

7th Grade Guest Review: The Unwanteds

Today I have a guest review by one of my 7th graders.  He is reviewing the mg book The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths. 

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret—behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime. 

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation. 

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

The Review

Your Name Tyler

Why did you decide to pick up this book and read it?

I picked it up because the cover had a short sentence reading something like "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter". And I enjoyed both of the Novels.

Did you like the book? Please explain why you liked it or not.

I liked it very much. Fast paced, interesting, and plenty of action, and of course the distopia, my kind of book.

What part did you like the best and why?

I liked the ending the best because that was when the most action occurred and the excitement got to me. I couldn't stop reading.

Tell me what you thought of the main character(s). Did you like him/her/them? Did you like how they acted/reacted to events in the story?

The characters were very well put together, the author put a lot of thought into the character Mr. Today. He was the man providing refuge for the "unwanteds" in a magical kind of world. His wisdom, decisions, and appearance reminded me a lot of like "Dumbledore", from Harry Potter. They also have funny names in common.

Would you recommend this book to a friend?

Yes, it's a good, average length book that would stick with you even after finishing it. It makes you think, predict, and sometimes laugh. Very interesting.

Tell me anything else about the book and your opinion of it that you want to share!

"The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter" was very true to the book. You'll regret not picking it up.

Middle Grade Guest Review: The Wide Awake Princess +GIVEAWAY

Today we have a guest post from one of my 7th grade students.  She is reviewing The Wide Awake Princess by E.D. Baker.

Check below for a giveaway of two other E.D. Baker books!

In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie—blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic—can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake. 

But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn't possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father's guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family . . . and perhaps even find a true love of her own.

Title of Book The Wide Awake Princess

Author E.D. Baker

Why did you decide to pick up this book and read it?

I picked it up because the cover is very eye-catching.  Once I picked it up and read the back I knew I had to read it.

Did you like the book? Please explain why you liked it or not.

I really enjoyed the book.  I think the reason I enjoyed it so much is because it is a fantasy book.  It also has many fairytales in it and they all come together.

Tell me what you thought of the main character(s). Did you like him/her/them? Did you like how they acted/reacted to events in the story?

I like the main character because I can relate to her by having a popular older sister.

What part did you like the best and why?

I liked the very beginning because that has to do with sleeping beauty, and I do not know a lot about her.

Would you recommend this book to a friend?

Yes, because it is an amazingly awesome book.

Tell me anything else about the book and your opinion of it that you want to share!

This book is good if you like fun original books.

Thanks for your thoughts!!! I've read this book and enjoyed it too.  Great fun book!

Would you like a chance at two other E.D. Baker books?  I've got two to give away.

Fairy Wings

Fairy Lies

To Enter fill out the Rafflecopter below.

Must be at least 13

US only

Ends March 31st

Guest Review: All These Things I've Done

Title: All the Things I've Done
Author: Gabrielle Zevin


Summary
In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Guest Review

My daughter, age 12, was super excited about this one, so I let her read it first if she promised to review it.  We ended up doing an interview review!  Here is what she had to say!

Why did you decided to read this book?
When we first got it, my mom said it was a book where chocolate and coffee was banned.  After I heard that I really wanted to read it.  Chocolate banned! I wanted to know about that.

So did you like the book???
Yes I did because it was set in the future.  But the cool thing was, that it wasn't what it was all about.  It was mostly all about the main problem in the story and how Anya had to deal with it.  And it was also fun to read what it would be like if chocolate and coffee really were banned!

Tell me what you thought about the main character Anya
I really liked her because she was strong and smart.  I also liked that she wasn't whining because she thought her life was so hard.  She just did what she had to.  That made me really like her.

What part did you like the best?
I liked when Anya met this girl Mouse.  I thought it was interesting because Mouse doesn't talk.  I think she couldn't talk, so instead she wrote everything down on a notepad.  I liked that part because of how Anya and Mouse had to talk.

Would you recommend this book to a friend and why?
Yes I would! It was fun and there was a lot of things happening, so that kept it interesting.  I liked the characters and what they did.  I just liked everything about the book. It was a really good book, so they should read it!

Thanks Miss Daughter for sharing your thoughts on the book.  As the mom I know that she loved the book because she tore through it.  She reads fast anyway, but this book was one she had done in one day.  Let me clarify - one SCHOOL day.  She started it when we got to school and finished it that night.  Yes she went to class too :)  I think that shows she enjoyed the book.  Now I've got to read it!

For the Guys - Student Review: Rotters by Daniel Kraus

For todays For the Guys I have a student guest review for a book that just could be for the guys!


Title: Rotters
Author: Daniel Kraus
Publisher: Delacorte Press


Summary
Grave-robbing. What kind of monster would do such a thing? It's true that Leonardo da Vinci did it, Shakespeare wrote about it, and the resurrection men of nineteenth-century Scotland practically made it an art. But none of this matters to Joey Crouch, a sixteen-year-old straight-A student living in Chicago with his single mom. For the most part, Joey's life is about playing the trumpet and avoiding the daily humiliations of high school.
   
Everything changes when Joey's mother dies in a tragic accident and he is sent to rural Iowa to live with the father he has never known, a strange, solitary man with unimaginable secrets. At first, Joey's father wants nothing to do with him, but once father and son come to terms with each other, Joey's life takes a turn both macabre and exhilarating.


Student Review

The plot of this book was to tell you what grave robbers did.  Rotter’s main character name is Joey Crouch and he has to move in with his dad he hasn’t seen in his life time because of his mother’s death.  His “dad’s” job is the garbage man but soon finds out that it isn’t what people have been saying.  Joey’s dad lives in a town called Bloughtons, Joey notices his dad is gone to more than a day at a time.

                                                                 

I found this book very intriguing and weird, it although gives very good detail in describing places, things, and people.  Rotter’s was a sad book in some parts as you would find out in this grueling and amazing book.  I had to stop many times during this book to how long it was and reread some parts but it was worth the time!  It also had some funny parts where Joey actually gets back at his teacher!

            

I would recommend this book not to be read by any people in the age of 13, due to language.  The Rotter’s book had barely any things they should change but here are some that I noticed.  It had a bit much of swearing in the book.  Although this most likely normal in a high school.

My Thoughts

I'll be honest and say I didn't completely read/finish this book.  Now this WAS NOT because I didn't like it.  I did! I just had other books that had to get done.  I agree with what my student review said - that sometimes I had to stop and reread parts.  Daniel Kraus' prose is amazing! So detailed that it was sometimes hard to take in, in one read.  And I was amazed at how me wrote about some really tough things in a way that made them seem ordinary because they were ordinary or unchangeable for the character! You were completely drawn into the events and into that world.  It felt so real, and I think that's why sometimes it was hard to read!

I do plan on going to finish the book because I understand the relationship that develops between the father and son is amazing.  It become a lot of what the book is about.  

For the Guys? Yes if you are willing to be somewhat challenged by the thoughts and writing style of this book!

I HEART Lois Duncan Guest Review: Twisted Window

Today I have a guest review from Cheryl Mahoney, who blogs at Tales of the Marvelous.

Title: Twisted Window

Author: Lois Duncan


Here is Her Review

It’s challenging to give a description of The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan, because anything I say feels like I’m giving things away.  Duncan is a master at the careful reveal, the drawn-out suspense, and the sudden twist.  I don’t think that skill is ever more evident than in this book, which is one reason I wanted to review it for Jill’s Lois Duncan month.  In keeping with its name, it’s riddled with twists and unexpected turns in the story, and you can never be sure that what you think is happening is really what’s going on.

To give you a little hint of the plot: it begins when Tracy realizes that a boy is staring at her across the high school cafeteria.  He introduces himself as Brad, a new student, but she quickly comes to suspect that he’s not what he seems to be.  Brad reveals that he’s come to town looking for a girl, and he wants Tracy to help him find her. 

And that’s really all I can bear to tell you!  Except that, in true Duncan fashion, the stakes keep rising higher and higher, the tension rises right along with those stakes, and the countless twists will keep you guessing until the last chapter.

Duncan has some of the most masterful twists I’ve ever seen.  I’d love to give you an example, but I hate to give any of them away.  So let me give you a similar twist: say a character was introduced but not described.  Something she says leads you to assume she’s middle-aged.  Five chapters later, a new detail reveals that she’s really only twenty.  That doesn’t happen, but similar things do.  Duncan never lies to the reader—she just very carefully leads you off in the wrong direction.  I reread the book for this review, so I could see the twists coming and fully appreciate how neatly she set them all up—and the book’s still good even when you know what’s coming.

One thing I found strange the first time I read The Twisted Window was how little the window actually comes into it.  There is a window, one which has a warp in the glass, but it’s a small piece of the book.  On this read, and thinking about it from an older perspective, I think I was taking the title too literally.  It’s not a glass window that’s twisted—it’s the window the reader has into the world, and the window the characters are looking at life through.  And believe me, those two metaphorical windows…are twisted.  In an appropriate for young adult readers sort of way, I mean.  :)

A brilliant page-turner of a book.  Highly recommended.

Don't forget to enter the I HEART Lois Duncan Month giveaway.  Go HERE to find out how!

I HEART Lois Duncan Guest Review: Locked in Time

Today for I HEART Lois Duncan month I have a guest review from Jana at Milk and Cookies: Comfort Reading (one of my favorite blogs!)  She loves Lois Duncan like I do and agreed to a review on Locked in Time. Here's her review!

Locked in Time

4 creme filled Whoopie Pies!

Cover Love: Honestly, there are so many covers out there that I cannot say. I did not like the cover of the version I read, but I can't really rate that since that might not be the one you read!

Why I Wanted to Read This Book:It's I Heart Lois Duncan month! And she was one of my favorite authors when I was in middle school. I didn't remember reading this one when I was younger, but now that I have finished it, I do recall that I had read it!

Here's the synopsis:
It doesn't occur to Nore to take the dream-warning seriously. Her new stepmother and stepbrother seem nice. But why does Nore feel so uneasy around them? Maybe she should have listened . . .

I Kept Reading Because: It was every bit as good as I expected it to be. Lois Duncan is a great author!

Romance?: A little hint of one.

What I Liked (& Didn't):You know how some books that you loved as a youth do not stand up to the test of time? I cannot even bring myself to read The Vampire Diaries because I know how crushed I will feel when I realize they were stupid and poorly written (I read them in college, back when nobody was reading YA and I kind of had to hide them from people). I read a Nancy Drew book last year and couldn't help thinking that it was not good.
But, Lois Duncan's books, the books I devoured in middle and high school, are still as awesome today as they were back then.

First of all, Nore has a wisdom in her that is seldom seen in today's YA heroines.  She doesn't spend pages discussing things with her friends (granted she is isolated without friends (or cell phones or computers)) but she is ready to believe the weird and she faces it head on.

It is so quick moving, just a smidge over 200 pages, but there doesn't need to be more!  It is refreshing to have a YA thriller/with a supernatural bent that is not over 400 pages. 

Lois Duncan can write.  Her descriptions are wonderful.  To read a book set in Louisiana, in the summer, when I am in Montana in the dead of winter was wonderful!  I felt the heat.

To Sum Up:Lois Duncan stands the test of time!  I loved this book and am going to give a few others of hers a try this year.  I love directing readers in my school to her books and so far, none of them have been disappointed.
Lois Duncan is updating her books for a new generation. 

Read her Good Reads post about the problem with cell phones in her books!