All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team, by Christina Soontornvat

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team, by Christina Soontornvat 

* 2021 Newberry Honor
* 2021 Robert F. Sibert Honor

5 stars: Excellent writing, on this incredibly high-interest topic. Very well done.

I remember when we first read the news articles about the Thai boys' soccer team that was trapped in a flooded cave. We were riveted, and horrified. From then on, we searched out any articles we could find and eagerly read the latest news and attempts to rescue them. We prayed for them as a family, every day. We were so worried about them. When we heard about the successful rescue, we were so happy and thankful. 

As soon as I heard about this book, I knew we needed to get it. I was not disappointed! I read it first, in one sitting. Then my oldest two children took turns reading it. This had all the answers to the questions we had asked each other those long months ago. It filled in the details that the news story didn't know or didn't share. It had pictures and background information on the boys, their coach, the rescuers, and other pivotal people involved. We learned how the cave flooded so quickly and why they couldn't just wait until the water drained away. We learned how they survived, physically and mentally, for so long. We learned about the rescuers, including the Thai Navy Seal who lost his life in the cave.

The sheer number of people involved in the operation was incredible to read about, especially all those who took it upon themselves to help in any way they could, with no thought of reward. And the way they finally came up with to bring them out, sedated. It was truly a miracle that it worked.

It was everything I could have hoped for in a book about this incident. We are going to buy this book for our own library. 

* * * * *

Were you as invested as we were in this story? Have you read the book? If so, what were your thoughts? 

Companion Reads: Longitude, and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch

 We read two books back to back in our morning reading time (for homeschool), which proved to be great companion reads. They both had to do with sailing and in particular, navigation at sea. Longitude, by Dava Sobel, was nonfiction, while Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham, was historical fiction. We understood the troubles of Nat Bowditch so much better, having just read an entire book about finding "lunars" vs. other means of calculating longitude, and even knew some of the technical terms.

If you have access to both of these books, give it a try and let me know if you liked it too!

 

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Kind, by Dava Sobel

3.5 stars: Thorough and meaty. 

This one has been on my shelf for at least 5 years. I finally decided to read it to my kids as a way to make it first priority for me as well. Ha! It worked! We made it our way through it, a little each day.

For hundreds of years, the "longitude problem" was the bane of every sailor and captain's existence. It was easy enough to determine which latitude your ship was at, while at sea, but longitude was a whole different beast. Many, many ships sunk and thousands of lives were lost over the centuries due to mistakes in calculating longitude.

Finally the British throne came up with a competition, complete with a hefty award for whomever could solve this problem in a satisfactory way. There was a board overseeing the competition, which ended up going on for a couple of decades. The board members not only received the entries, but they were in charge of testing their accuracy and viability, and perhaps most importantly--doling out the prize money.

For a very long time, prevailing opinion was that the longitude problem would be solved by astronomy. Calculating "lunars" and/or the positions of certain stars became the basis of that school of thought. Then there was another idea completely: using a clock. It would have to be a clock like no other, however. It would have to keep nearly perfect time at sea, despite the constant motion of the ship, and have to be impervious to moisture and salty air.

As far away from astronomy as the workbench from the observatory, this idea was looked down upon by the Board as being almost too practical. Longitude was the realm of mathematicians and scholars, not something that could be solved with raw materials and rough hands--no matter how intricate the arrangement of gears and springs. It took the clockmaker in question--John Harrison--most of his life to perfect his creation and receive his just rewards.

* * * * *

This was actually a good read aloud for school mornings. I mean, I definitely felt smarter after reading it each day! Ha! Truly, though, it gave us some great fodder for discussion. We took it in smaller chunks, and although my kids weren't necessarily clamoring to keep reading each day, it got our minds working first thing in the morning, which was a good thing. That being said, this is definitely geared towards adults. I am fairly certain none of my kids would have picked it up to read on their own--or stuck with it, for that matter. It's well written, but it's got a lot packed in there.

Fascinating subject, really. There's so much that we take for granted about our modern life. GPS systems, anyone? Amazing how one person can make such a difference. One person approaching a problem differently, seeing a unique solution to the problem, then using his skills toward the solution, persisting through setback after setback. 

That was the biggest takeaway for me: do what you do best, persist through failure, and you will make a difference. It may not be solving the biggest problem of your time, but then again, maybe it will be. 

Now we want to take a field trip to go visit the sea clocks! 

   

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham

* Newberry Medal winner in 1956

3.5 stars: Great way to visualize and bring to life the history we read about it Longitude.

Nat Bowditch grows up in a family that has fallen on hard times. His father, Habbukuk, used to be a sea captain until his ship was dashed into pieces. Since then he has become a cooper, but has never gotten past his failure at sea. There are many children and only just enough food and clothing to go around. He learns early (from his big brother Hab) to pretend like he doesn't feel the cold in the winter when he doesn't have a coat to wear.

Nat loves mathematics, which makes him unique in his family and at his school. His mind just takes to it, and he can understand and work out complicated problems from a young age. He has dreams of going to Harvard after school. Then his father indentures him to the ship chandlery in town for 9 years. Nine years! His life is over!  Or so he thinks. He doesn't realize it is the start of a lifetime of learning and opportunities. Also, he finally gets enough to eat and warm clothes to wear.

* * * * *

We read this book right after Longitude. It was a great tie-in to all the history we learned about in that book. The problem of finding longitude is one of the central themes of the book. Apparently this was the time period when chronometers (sea clocks) were available, but still very expensive, so most ships still used lunars--which involved taking the position of the moon in relation to certain stars and calculating longitude based on that. Nat's mathematical skill enables him to work "lunars" with extraordinary accuracy, and he even ends up teaching all the men he's sailing with how to work them as well. We highly appreciated the digs at Nevil Maskelyne, who was the rival and enemy of the clockmaker in our nonfiction book. So that part was fantastic.

I feel like the book was probably as accurate as historical fiction can be, so it was good to get a feel for what it would have been like to live back then, in a sailing town.

Here's the thing: so many people died! At first, it was a bit of a blow as we read along. By the end, my kids were taking bets on who was going to go next. It was so bad! I will not name names, but I will just say--do not get overly attached to any of the characters, particularly those who are closest to Nat. Since it was the story of a good portion of his life, the deaths are mentioned in a rather abrupt or cursory manner, then after a paragraph or two we're moving on.

Edited to add: We are not as heartless as we may seem. None of us realized as we read that Mr. Bowditch was a real person. That poor man! Wow. He overcame a lot of suffering. I can't imagine the author would have included all of those deaths if they hadn't really happened. It makes his accomplishments that much more incredible.

Favorite sayings: 

"sailing by ash breeze" --this comes up throughout the book, but it's explained early on. When a ship is becalmed, the only way to move forward is by "ash breeze," meaning--get out the oars and row! The oars were usually made of ash wood. Nat spends most of his life sailing by ash breeze, finding his own chances for learning, and studying on his own--everything he can get his hands on--as his hopes and dreams take a very long time to realize.

"she has eyes in the back of her heart" 

"I'm just like a chair you stumble over in the dark," Elizabeth said. "It isn't the chair's fault, but you kick it anyhow." ... "Your brain. It's too fast. So you stumble on other people's dumbness. And--you want to kick something." 

The Year Of Billy Miller, by Kevin Henkes

What can I say? Another Newberry Honor book. Still plugging away at that goal, even though I have officially given it up.  This one was great!

The Year of Billy Miller, by Kevin Henkes
Newbery Honor 2014

4 stars: Warm hearted and simply delightful!

Billy's Papa is an artist and his Mama is an High School English teacher. Unlike most other kids he knows, his mom is the one who goes to work every day, while his dad stays home and takes care of him and his little sister Sal.

Billy's going to start 2nd grade soon, and he has some worries. 1--Is he smart enough for 2nd grade? 2-Is it babyish to call his mom and dad Mama and Papa? 3-Will his teacher like him?  In the introductory letter his teacher sent home before school she said it was the Year of the Rabbit, but his Papa says it's going to be the Year of Billy Miller. He's pretty sure his Papa is right!

* * * * *
I didn't know what to expect going into this one, and to be completely honest, I had been putting off reading it a bit, because it just didn't catch my eye. It was a happy surprise to find how much I enjoyed it. It reminded me of a Beverly Cleary book, in that the situations are all everyday stuff that every kid goes through. The family is generally happy, even though the father is struggling with his art ("looking for a breakthrough".)

Sal made me chuckle a couple of times, and Billy's worries and the resolutions were like a window into my own 7-year-old's world. Things that seem small to the grownups loom large when you're 7. It's good to remember that. There was so much that made me smile. Billy is surrounded by loving adults--even the babysitter! You know that he's going to get all this stuff figured out.

I'm encouraging my boy to read it. I hope he does, because I think he would find a lot in common with Billy, and a lot to like about the story.

(7/24/19)

Have you read this one? What did you think? My favorite were the Drop Sisters.

Roller Girl, by Victoria Jamieson

I've had a stack of books checked out from the library for 3+ weeks now. This is the first one in the stack I've gotten to--partly because I knew it would be a quick read due to format. It was the perfect length for a little sit-down rest between lunch and afternoon projects.

Roller Girl, by Victoria Jamieson
Newbery Honor 2016

4 stars: Troubles associated with growing up, plus ROLLER DERBY!


Astrid had never even heard of roller derby, until one night her mom takes her and her best friend Nicole to see a bout. Astrid loves every minute of it! She wants to do it so bad! She is very excited when her mom points out that they are offering a camp for girls ages 12-17 over the summer, and even more excited when her mom signs her for the camp. The only damper to this fun time is that her bestie Nicole isn't doing it with her. You see, Nicole actually likes ballet and wasn't really into the whole roller derby thing. They have been attached at the hip for years now, so this is going to be a big change.

Despite her dreams of instant success and stardom, as it turns out Astrid isn't very good at roller skating, and also, she is way out of shape compared to everyone else. What she lacks in skills, however, she makes up for in determination. She is going to do this! Make way for this girl!

* * * * *
Roller derby ladies are like, 1000x cooler than I will ever be, but I think they're awesome. Also, it doesn't sound fun to me at all in reality, but reading a book about it was great fun. One of my favorite parts were all their roller girl names. I'm not going to lie--I spent a good portion of the book trying to come up with a name for myself. Haven't thought of a worthy one...yet. I may or may not get back to you on that.

Like so many middle grade novels, this one was about changing friendships, and discovering yourself. The roller derby itself made for a fresh take on the age old topic, and the graphic novel format was a perfect fit, keeping the narrative moving at a fast clip. Astrid's growth was satisfying and realistic. I liked her as a character very much.

I don't read very many graphic novels, but this one was a hit! Glad it got some recognition. Oh, also my 9 year old daughter told me that it was "a really good one." So there you go.

Content: One swear word, mentioned as something Astrid was called by a bully.

(7/23/19)

Wolf Hollow, by Lauren Wolk

By the way, I do have more gardening posts coming. I've been dying to get out and do more work outside, but we've had crazy weather over the past week! It has snowed several times and been clear and cold the other days. Hey, on the one nice day last week, I did help a friend weed her flowerbed. It was good for the soul, I tell you!

So. This book. After putting it off for a long time, I finally sat down and read this one! I knew it would not be an easy read and I was right. This is one that begs for discussion. In fact, I think discussion should be mandatory for any kids reading it, just to help them process what happens.

Wolf Hollow, by Lauren Wolk
2017 Newberry Honor

4 stars: Deeply piercing.

Annabelle's life is just kind of going along, as the oldest of 3. Her little brothers, Henry and James, pretty much do their own thing, though she watches out for them in the schoolyard. Their neighborhood has its share of people who are different. Among them, is a man named Toby, who lives by himself in a shack in the woods. He's a WWI vet and isn't quite right in the head. At least, that's the general consensus. Though he doesn't say much ever, and is out in all weathers on his own, Anabelle's family has given him food from time to time and he has never harmed anyone. In fact, they discovered that he had a gift for photography and since then their family's camera has been on permanent loan to him.

Then Betty Glengarry comes to town. She immediately singles out Annabelle as the object of her bullying. At first, it's nothing too bad--threats to hurt Annabelle if she doesn't bring Betty something. Annabelle smashes her piggy bank, but decides that she's not giving any more than the few precious coins inside.

However, when Annabelle stands up to her, Betty gives her a bruise "the size of a cucumber" on her upper thigh, beating her with a stick. Then Betty falls in with an older student named Andy, who has always been a troublemaker. The two of them skip school or spend the whole time whispering together.

Things start to get out of hand when Betty begins to threaten Annabelle by saying she will hurt Henry and James if Annabelle doesn't give her what she wants. The kids all walk home from the one-room schoolhouse, leaving ample opportunity for such threats to be carried out. It's a constant worry for Annabelle, but she's not sure what it will take to stop Betty.

Then there's the day of the rock. Ruth, one of Annabelle's close friends and classmates is hit by a rock--possibly intended for the German fruit seller who has pulled up to the school. In any case, Ruth is seriously injured. No-one knows who threw the rock.

Betty starts rumors going around that it was Toby. She offers convincing evidence--she says she saw him to do it from the belfry of the school, where she was skipping class with Andy. Her accusations stir up a hornet's nest of trouble in the small community. Then Betty goes missing. So does Toby. This does not look good for anyone.

Annabelle, who may know more than anyone else about the truth of things, is the only one who's going to be able to put things right again. What can she do, though? She's just a kid.

* * * * *
A story about bullying and kindness; about insiders and outsiders; about good and evil. I think every kid who reads this book will relate on some level. We have all been bullied to various degrees. We have all seen others be picked on. Senseless acts of violence have affected us all, directly or indirectly. On the other side, we have all given or received kindness as well. We have seen those who needed our kindness, whether or not we've stepped up to give it.

There was a growing tension in the story, as the violence escalated, and as Annabelle saw the path before her would require courage and probably some sacrifice of her own well-being.

You know, I didn't know what to make of Betty. We never really got her backstory. I wish we had. Rather, she was painted as this one-dimensional Bringer of All the Bad Things to Annabelle's peaceful life. And the thing this kid does--I mean really, a sharpened wire? How is she still roaming around in free society?

I was glad Annabelle did talk to her parents eventually and that they were all a part of the solutions--the temporary and the attempt at more permanent ones. It's the kind of story I read with a pit in my stomach the entire time, as I wondered what other awfulness was coming around the bend.

Annabelle's friendship with Toby was a bright spot. The way she got him to open up a little and participate in some things brought a ray of hope to a dark time. She was very mature for 12. At one point as Toby was telling her some things about the war, she listened, but realized she had no way to process it all yet, so sort of packed it away in her mind until she could truly understand it and deal with it at some point.

The ending was tragic but true to life, unfortunately. Wolk did a masterful job portraying Annabelle's mixed emotions when she realized where Betty must be. Did Betty deserve what happened to her because of her previous actions? Do any of us deserve what we get, good or bad?

I'm having a hard time pinning down the age for this one. The ages of the characters would make it seem to be written for middle graders, but the themes and situations are better suited to teens or even adults. This is one that would be a good one for an adult book club. A quick read, but depths and layers to explore.

Content: Intense situations; bullying.

(2/24/18)

2015 Newberry Award Winners

This is one of the years I had read 2 of the 3 already, which made this list easy to put together!

What stands out to me about this year's winners is the strong voice. Each unique in its own way, yet the child or teen narrating carries you right into the story.


For a book with a beat, brothers, and some mad ball skills:

The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander
2015 Newberry Award

5 stars: It deserved to win! This was unexpectedly great.

Josh and Jordan Bell are twin basketball stars. They own the court, following in the footsteps of their famous basketball playing Dad. Along with their mom, they've been a close family all along, until somehow this year--7th grade--things seem to be loosening up between them. Things are changing and these boys will have to learn to navigate the new reality. Don't take my word for it, though! The book says it better and more powerfully.

* * * * *
How in the world did a book of poetry about basketball, of all things, win the Newberry? Well my friends, read it and you will understand. I loved it! The honesty. The rhythm. The basketball. The relationship of the brothers. The whole thing! Get it and read it, and step inside somebody else's head for awhile.         

(Originally reviewed on Goodreads, Sept 2015)

Honor Books:

For a graphic novel with an unlikely heroine: 

El Deafo, by Cece Bell
2015 Newberry Honor

3 stars: Life is full of ups and downs for Cece, many of which revolve around her hearing loss.

Cece loses her hearing after an illness, when she is little. After her kindergarten year, which was in a school for the deaf, she enters 1st grade in a mainstream elementary school. Even with a super-powerful hearing aid called "The Phonic Ear", she still has some trouble at school. A lot of her understanding depends on lip reading, which can be tricky.

Her other problems are with finding friends. Her first "best friend" Laura is okay, though mean and bossy at times. At least she doesn't seem to mind Cece's deafness. When Ginny comes along, Cece is relieved that she doesn't seem pushy. Cece has had about enough of Laura's brand of friendship by that point. Unfortunately, Ginny always makes a big deal out of Cece's deafness. She talks very slowly and loudly, even after Cece tells her to stop. That one doesn't last either. Then there's Martha. She's super nice, not at all bossy, and doesn't make a big deal out of Cece's deafness. They have a ton of fun together, until an accident happens while playing tag, and Martha gets a little freaked out by it, thinking Cece's injury was all her fault.

Through it all, Cece has to deal with being different than almost everyone else she knows--for better or worse.
* * * * *
I haven't read very many graphic novels; this was a good one. The use of speech bubbles really added to the story. For instance, when Cece found out she couldn't hear, all the speech bubbles were blank. Or, if someone talked softly, or her hearing aid batteries were running down, the typeface in the speech bubbles got lighter. A lot of nonsense words in speech bubbles were used throughout the book, to show what it might sound like for a deaf person in a hearing world, trying to make out what other people are saying.

The characters were all depicted as rabbits. Maybe this was because they have big ears, so it would be easy to see the hearing aids? :)

There was a lot that kids of all backgrounds could relate to. Who hasn't had friendship issues or been picked on for being different? Or worried that everyone is staring at you? With that common basis to start from, perhaps some greater empathy for those who don't fit in will follow.

I really liked how through Cece's narrative, kids can gain some understanding of how a deaf person may want to be treated. Or, at least, gain a better understanding what the potential barriers might be--to friendship, or other pursuits. I also liked how she added in teaching moments: signs that talked about how to read lips, or what made it hard to read lips, etc.

As far as it winning a Newberry goes, I think at times the award is given to books that highlight a particular problem, or give a unique perspective, that could benefit from greater exposure. I would guess that the committee members strive to be inclusive in their choices, which may mean paying particular attention to books written by or about minorities. I didn't think this was an amazing book. However, I can see why it won an Newberry Honor: it was an appealing, well-written account of what it feels like to grow up deaf in a hearing world. I would imagine there aren't many of those that come along. Winning a Newberry Honor probably gave it the push it needed to get into many more kids' hands.

I think it would appeal to elementary school aged kids, though I've had it checked out from the library now for a couple of weeks, and I haven't seen either of my older two pick it up yet. Maybe if I give them a little nudge...

Content: One mention of a swear word; Cece mishears something her boy crush says, and thinks "Did you say 'breast?'

(2/21/18)

For a moving story in verse, full of hope, you can't go wrong with:

Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson
2015 Newberry Honor
2014 National Book Award Winner

5 stars

Woodson's childhood, in poems. Growing up in the south, then moving to New York City. Summers back in the south. Trying to belong and not forget the other place. Changing family dynamics. Finding her own place in the world, finding what she was really good at. Overcoming struggles in school. Civil rights and segregation.

So good. So real. It seems strange at times to give stars to a memoir, as if to say "Your life is worthy of 5 stars," but I rate books for my own reading experience with them, along with the power of the writing. Well this one is powerfully written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So there you go.


(Originally reviewed on Goodreads, April 2015)

El Deafo, by Cece Bell

Another Newberry book! Check it off! I have been enjoying the continuation of this goal so far. It's easy to get sidetracked into the slush pile of middle grade fiction. It has been refreshing to read these award winners and appreciate the genre all over again!

El Deafo, by Cece Bell
2015 Newberry Honor

3 stars: Life is full of ups and downs for Cece, many of which revolve around her hearing loss.


Cece loses her hearing after an illness, when she is little. After her kindergarten year, which was in a school for the deaf, she enters 1st grade in a mainstream elementary school. Even with a super-powerful hearing aid called "The Phonic Ear", she still has some trouble at school. A lot of her understanding depends on lip reading, which can be tricky.

Her other problems are with finding friends. Her first "best friend" Laura is okay, though mean and bossy at times. At least she doesn't seem to mind Cece's deafness. When Ginny comes along, Cece is relieved that she doesn't seem pushy. Cece has had about enough of Laura's brand of friendship by that point. Unfortunately, Ginny always makes a big deal out of Cece's deafness. She talks very slowly and loudly, even after Cece tells her to stop. That one doesn't last either. Then there's Martha. She's super nice, not at all bossy, and doesn't make a big deal out of Cece's deafness. They have a ton of fun together, until an accident happens while playing tag, and Martha gets a little freaked out by it, thinking Cece's injury was all her fault.

Through it all, Cece has to deal with being different than almost everyone else she knows--for better or worse.

* * * * *
I haven't read very many graphic novels; this was a good one. The use of speech bubbles really added to the story. For instance, when Cece found out she couldn't hear, all the speech bubbles were blank. Or, if someone talked softly, or her hearing aid batteries were running down, the typeface in the speech bubbles got lighter. A lot of nonsense words in speech bubbles were used throughout the book, to show what it might sound like for a deaf person in a hearing world, trying to make out what other people are saying.

The characters were all depicted as rabbits. Maybe this was because they have big ears, so it would be easy to see the hearing aids? :)

There was a lot that kids of all backgrounds could relate to. Who hasn't had friendship issues or been picked on for being different? Or worried that everyone is staring at you? With that common basis to start from, perhaps some greater empathy for those who don't fit in will follow.

I really liked how through Cece's narrative, kids can gain some understanding of how a deaf person may want to be treated. Or, at least, gain a better understanding what the potential barriers might be--to friendship, or other pursuits. I also liked how she added in teaching moments: signs that talked about how to read lips, or what made it hard to read lips, etc.

As far as it winning a Newberry goes, I think at times the award is given to books that highlight a particular problem, or give a unique perspective, that could benefit from greater exposure. I would guess that the committee members strive to be inclusive in their choices, which may mean paying particular attention to books written by or about minorities. I didn't think this was an amazing book. However, I can see why it won an Newberry Honor: it was an appealing, well-written account of what it feels like to grow up deaf in a hearing world. I would imagine there aren't many of those that come along. Winning a Newberry Honor probably gave it the push it needed to get into many more kids' hands.

I think it would appeal to elementary school aged kids, though I've had it checked out from the library now for a couple of weeks, and I haven't seen either of my older two pick it up yet. Maybe if I give them a little nudge...

Content: One mention of a swear word; Cece mishears something her boy crush says, and thinks "Did you say 'breast?'


* * * * *
Have you read this one? What did you think?

2013 Newberry Award Winners

This group of Newberry books were all very different in theme and mood. Although the winner wasn't my favorite, it may be just the thing for the mood you're in. There are some great reads here!


For a tender story about an intelligent gorilla:

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate
2013 Newberry Award

3 stars: Liked it; didn't love it.

Ivan the gorilla lives in a mall right off the freeway, where folks come and see him. There's also an old circus elephant named Stella who does a few tricks, and a few other animals. Bob the dog is a stray, but sleeps on Ivan's stomach most nights.

Ivan is not the fearsome animal his billboard makes him out to be. In fact, he is an artist. His owner, Mack, sells his paintings for $20 in the gift shop ($25 framed). Ivan is resigned to his life, with the short beginning and endless middle, until baby elephant Ruby joins the menagerie. Stella makes Ivan promise to protect Ruby and take care of her, once she is gone, and Ivan agrees.

As time goes on, things go badly for Mack. Numbers are dwindling, and Mack is getting desperate. None of the animals are being treated right, but especially baby Ruby is suffering. Ivan must figure out how to keep his promise and get Ruby out of there. If only the humans could understand his art. One special little girl named Julia may be just the person to make the connection.

* * * * *
I didn't love this as much as most other people. I don't know if I could even tell you why. It has some good messages in it, and the characters are each distinct and well-written. I guess I was having a hard time suspending my disbelief. It's strange, because that's usually not a problem for me. I read books with talking, thinking animals in them quite often, but for some reason, I didn't really get into it this time.

I just found out that it was based on a real gorilla named Ivan who lived in a mall, then eventually got moved to the Atlanta Zoo. (Yes, if you've read it, you probably already knew that.) That makes me like it a little more.

(Finished reading Aug. 21, 2017)

Grab a blanket and settle in for an atmospheric, redemptive tale:

Splendors and Glooms, by Laura Amy Schlitz
2013 Newberry Honor

5 stars: This was great! Historical fiction with a hint of mystery and a dash of magic.

Grisini is a puppet master with a shadowy past, who works his trade on the streets of London, circa 1860. He has two foundlings that work with him and for him: Lizzie Rose, an orphan whose father was an actor; and Parsefall, a boy he "rescued" from the workhouse. The puppets are not the English Punch and Judy shows, but rather marionettes--or fantocinni, as Grisini calls them. Lizzie Rose plays the music and Parsefall has worked up to maneuvering some of the puppets. He also steals for Grisini from those watching the show.

When Clara, a girl from a wealthy family, sees the puppet show in the park one day, she is enthralled. She decides this is all she wants for her birthday--though of course it will not be all she gets. After much begging and even some tears, her father relents. Clara's other siblings all died of cholera some years back, and her parents still mourn their loss heavily. To Clara, they have become the Others, and she is sick of visiting the cemetery on every holiday (including her birthday) and constantly being reminded that they are gone while she is not. She is certain her 12th birthday will be the best ever.

One other player in this drama becomes increasingly important as time goes on: the old witch Cassandra. She has a fire opal which has given her magical strength over the years and allowed her to control those around her. Now in her old age, however, the opal is consuming her. She had a terrible argument with Grisini years ago concerning the opal. He had mentioned some way to get rid of it, but she had never let him finish before cruelly injuring him. (She thought she had killed him, but then her second sight tells her otherwise.) The unfinished sentence haunts her now. She must summon him to her bedside and learn what she can.

When Clara goes missing the night after the birthday party, police think she was kidnapped. They suspect Grisini, but can't find any evidence. Lizzie Rose and Parsefall also suspect Grisini; even more so as they begin to hear rumors and stories of other missing children over the years. They had gotten along quite well with the Clara, in the limited time before the puppet show started, and are determined to help her if they can. Then they make a terrible discovery.

* * * * *
This was great! Schlitz evokes the foggy, shadowy underworld of London quite well. I could picture every part of it, from the rope handrail on the stairs at the cheap boardinghouse where Grisini and children lived, to the cold mysterious tower that was Cassandra's home in Strachan Gyll.

The point of view switched every so often between characters, which added richness and depth to the story. There was a couple magical threads that wound their way through the narrative, but magic wasn't necessarily the focus of it. The puppets were what tied everything together.

Due to content and length, I would give this to older middle graders/younger teens on up--so probably 12+. I actually think this would be a great one for adult book clubs. There would be some interesting things to discuss. Including this one I've been thinking about since finishing it: who was the real puppet master and who were the puppets?

Content: Physical violence--some of it toward children, drinking mentioned many times, pickpocketing, a handful of swear words, intense scenes, deaths of a couple of the main characters.

(Read 02-01-18)


To lighten up a rainy day:

Three Times Lucky (Tupelo Landing #1), by Sheila Turnage
2013 Newberry Honor

4 stars: Funny and poignant, with a murder mystery to boot.

Mo LeBeau doesn't know who her real, "upstream" mother might be. All she knows is that she washed ashore in Tupelo Landing as a baby, same day as the Colonel. He can't remember his past, either. Luckily for them both, Miss Lana took them in and they have made a family of their own ever since.

But now there's a murder investigation going on, and their sleepy little town is getting all shook up over it. Mo is determined to help the investigators get to the bottom of it, dragging her best friend Dale right along with her.

Very enjoyable.

(Reviewed on Goodreads, Nov. 2013)

My review of the sequel to this book, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, can be found here. It's the 3rd review down.

For an on-the-edge-of-your-seat TRUE story:

Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin
2013 Newberry Honor
2013 Sibert Medal

5 stars: I loved it!

This was actually the 2nd time I checked this one out of the library. It had a lot of potential, but I just wasn't ready to do [what I thought would be] the work of reading it. Then I actually opened it and started reading. I was immediately sucked in, and couldn't put it down!

The first-person viewpoints, the photographs, the story itself; all of it was excellent and well-researched.

Awesome non-fiction for teens!         

(Reviewed on Goodreads, June 2014)

* * * * *

Happy reading! 

Read Alikes: Splendors and Glooms & The Red Necklace

Well, what do you know? Getting a fresh start on these Newberry Award winners has been enjoyable. This is one I never would have picked up if not for this goal (#2 on the list). I had never even heard of it until I found it on the list of Newberry winners. It's interesting how some books get a lot of hype, and then there are some that should get a lot more. I do think historical fiction can be a hard sell for kids sometimes, so you may have to talk these up...or casually leave them out on the coffee table for them to discover--whichever works!

Splendors and Glooms, by Laura Amy Schlitz
2013 Newberry Honor

5 stars: This was great! Historical fiction with a hint of mystery and a dash of magic.

Grisini is a puppet master with a shadowy past, who works his trade on the streets of London, circa 1860. He has two foundlings that work with him and for him: Lizzie Rose, an orphan whose father was an actor; and Parsefall, a boy he "rescued" from the workhouse. The puppets are not the English Punch and Judy shows, but rather marionettes--or fantocinni, as Grisini calls them. Lizzie Rose plays the music and Parsefall has worked up to maneuvering some of the puppets. He also steals for Grisini from those watching the show.

When Clara, a girl from a wealthy family, sees the puppet show in the park one day, she is enthralled. She decides this is all she wants for her birthday--though of course it will not be all she gets. After much begging and even some tears, her father relents. Clara's other siblings all died of cholera some years back, and her parents still mourn their loss heavily. To Clara, they have become the Others, and she is sick of visiting the cemetary on every holiday (including her birthday) and constantly being reminded that they are gone while she is not. She is certain her 12th birthday will be the best ever.

One other player in this drama becomes increasingly important as time goes on: the old witch Cassandra. She has a fire opal which has given her magical strength over the years and allowed her to control those around her. Now in her old age, however, the opal is consuming her. She had a terrible argument with Grisni years ago concerning the opal. He had mentioned some way to get rid of it, but she had never let him finish before cruelly injuring him. (She thought she had killed him, but then her second sight tells her otherwise.) The unfinished sentence haunts her now. She must summon him to her bedside and learn what she can.

When Clara goes missing the night after the birthday party, police think she was kidnapped. They suspect Grisini, but can't find any evidence. Lizzie Rose and Parsefall also suspect Grisini; even more so as they begin to hear rumors and stories of other missing children over the years. They had gotten along quite well with the Clara, in the limited time before the puppet show started, and are determined to help her if they can. Then they make a terrible discovery.

* * * * *
This was great! Schlitz evokes the foggy, shadowy underworld of London quite well. I could picture every part of it, from the rope handrail on the stairs at the cheap boardinghouse where Grisini and children lived, to the cold mysterious tower that was Cassandra's home in Strachan Gyll.

The point of view switched every so often between characters, which added richness and depth to the story. There was a couple of magical threads that wound their way through the narrative, but magic wasn't necessarily the focus of it. The puppets were what tied everything together.

Due to content and length, I would give this to older middle graders/younger teens on up--so probably 12+. I actually think this would be a great one for adult book clubs. There would be some interesting things to discuss. Including this one I've been thinking about since finishing it: who was the real puppet master and who were the puppets?

Content: Physical violence--some of it toward children, drinking mentioned many times, pickpocketing, a handful of swear words, intense scenes, deaths of a couple of the main characters.

(Read 02-01-18)

[And now I can finally return this one to the library!]

* * * * *

After I finished reading Splendors and Glooms, I realized there was another book with many of the same elements: historical fiction, a puppeteer/apprentice boy, a lonely wealthy girl, and threads of magic. Of course, there are many differences as well. To start with, The Red Necklace is for teens and includes an element of romance between Yann and Sido. Rather than 19th century England, this one is set during the French Revolution. And fair warning--the puppets in this one are called automotons, and they are creepy.

So if you or your tween liked Splendors and Glooms, give this one a try!

The Red Necklace (French Revolution #1), by Sally Gardner

5 stars


Yann is a magician's apprentice in Paris, along with his protector Tetu (who is a dwarf.) When their act is summoned to perform at the party of a Grand Marquis, they all have uneasy feelings about it, but decide to go anyway. Then magician recognizes Count Kalliovski as on old acquaintance, an evil man who's personal motto is "Have no mercy. Show no mercy" and who has most of the French aristocracy under his blackmailing thumb.

When they see the Count at the party, their misgivings turn to a dreadful certainty that things are not going to end well for them. As Yann is figuring out an escape route, he meets the Marquis' daughter, Sido, also summoned to the party by the Count for inexplicable reasons. As they help each other, their paths are intertwined in ways that will come back together again--but this time it will be Yann who must help Sido escape, and it will take every ounce of planning, magic, and luck they can spare. But escaping from the Revolution may be a different matter altogether.

Historical fiction with threads of magic, suspense, and romance running through it. Yann and Sido are characters to root for. The villain is sufficiently creepy (I'm still trying not to think about the automotons), and over it all hangs the impending Revolution. Very well done.

(Originally reviewed on Goodreads, Aug. 2015)

* * * * *

Have you read either of these? Which did you like better?

The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill

Chipping away at my goal from last year, which has now stayed on the list as a goal this year: read all the Newberry winners (including Honor books) from the past 5 years.

I read this one last fall, but never got around to reviewing it until now. Hey, I had 500+ bulbs to get in the ground before winter! :) Priorities and all that. Also, probably too much wasted time on the computer, but we're not going to go into that right now.

If you missed it, by the way, Suzanne from Such Stuff Books and Amy from Sunlit Pages did a Book Blab episode on this very book. So go check it out!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill
2017 Newberry Winner


5 stars: Just the right mix of danger, villainy, sweetness, bravery, and hope.

The people of the Protectorate are covered in sadness and resignation, like a thick blanket. Every year, they are required to bring the first baby born that year to the woods and leave it there, as a sacrifice to the witch of the woods. This terrible tradition has taken its toll on everyone who lives there. Every family has a story of someone they have lost and had to leave in the woods.

What they don't know is that the witch of the woods, Xan, is not evil and does not eat children. She doesn't actually know why these people leave one of the precious babies in the woods every year about the same time, but she arranges her tasks so that she is there to pick up the babe soon afterword, lest it fall prey to wild animals.

She then takes the baby with her to a village or town on the other side of the wood, feeding it on starlight along the way. The "Star Children" are much sought after by the people across the vast woods. They are just special and the families who get to raise them consider themselves very lucky. The star children grow up to surrounded by love. 

Then it so happens that Xan accidentally feeds the baby moonlight, instead of starlight. Starlight can you make you special, but moonlight makes you magical. She realizes her mistake right away, and decides she must raise the girl herself, in order to teach her how to control her magic. She names the child Luna. Just like that, a new family is created. Though Luna's birth mother is not so willing to let her baby go either.

* * * * *
This was such a memorable, thought-provoking book. I thoroughly enjoyed how it delved into all sorts of issues, with such a subtle and sure hand that it all wove into the story seamlessly. Some of the many things I thought about while reading it were:
* the way outward appearances can be deceiving.
* the way one or two courageous people can cause real change to happen.
* the way mother's heart is bound to her child, always.
* the way the things you don't say to your loved ones sometimes cause more problems than things you do say to them.
* the way you don't always have as much time in this life as you might wish for, so you had best make the best of the time you have.
* the way puberty is hard for everyone, including magical girls (I thought the parts about Luna's magic starting to break loose, and all the worry, fear, and grouchiness associated with that was just about as a good an explanation of puberty as anything I've read.)
* the way finding a new family member or reuniting with an old one doesn't make your circle smaller, it widens it. Love enlarges your heart and suddenly there's room for everyone.
   (There were more...read it and let's talk about it!)

I also appreciated Barnhill's ability to bring in darkness and evil without it becoming overwhelming. We learn about the tragedy of the babies left in the forest every year, but then we learn about what happens to them. That makes us know more than the sad people in the Protectorate, and it also gives us hope. Hope that the characters don't share--yet--but that we feel they must by the end of the book.

A less dramatic example is in the middle of the book, when Xan and Luna are trying to figure out what to do about both of them getting older and closer to major life changes. It could be heavy and angsty throughout that section, but it wasn't, in large part due to the wise swamp monster Glerk and the irrepressible tiny dragon Fryian. The balance was just right to allow the deeper issues to be explored while not weighing down the plot or the reader.

I thought it deserved the Newberry it won.

I think it might be too intense for my 5 year old, but I want to read it with my older 2 at some point. So that would make it ages 8+.

The Norvelt Duo, by Jack Gantos

I have been slowly working my way through the Newberry Award winners from the past 5 years, per my Reading Goal. More slowly than I had anticipated, but hey--it happens.

This time around, I had already read (and reviewed) the actual award winner--Dead End in Norvelt--then discovered there was a book continuing the story. I found the second and didn't like it nearly as much as the first. So if you want my advice--which of course you do, right?--read the first and take a pass on the second. You won't miss much.

Dead End in Norvelt, by Jack Gantos
2012 Newberry Winner
2012 Scott O' Dell Award

4 stars

Maybe I'm getting jaded, or maybe I just don't read very humorous books, but it has been a long time since I have laughed out loud while reading. An occasional chuckle perhaps, but that's about it. This one had me laughing multiple times, causing my husband to give me the "are you okay over there" look and my kids to beg me to explain what was so funny. Guess you just had to be there.

As far as giving it the Newberry--I don't know that it had the depth to really deserve that award, but maybe they just wanted a book to win that would really appeal to boys...and their moms. I guess. In any case, I enjoyed it. 

(Originally reviewed on Goodreads, July 2012)

From Norvelt to Nowhere, by Jack Gantos

2 stars: This one was a bit off.

Jack somehow gets swept along on a crazy road trip, with his old-lady neighbor Ms. Volker. She's after a murderer, or so she says, and apparently there's a few people after her too. Also, Ms. Volker has a gun. Jack isn't sure what to think, except that he should stop anybody from killing anybody else. If he can.


* * * * *
I really liked Dead End in Norvelt, and my oldest son liked it too, when he read it a couple of months ago. This one....I steered him away from it. Not that there's content issues, per se, but there's kind of a weird vibe going on between Jack and Ms. Volker. In some places he's coming on to her and in other situations she's coming on to him. I mean, she's old enough to be his grandma. It was unsettling and just strange.

Pretty much the whole time Jack is certain that Ms. Volker has lost her mind. She certainly acts like it. Is it all an act? Maybe Gantos did too good a job of convincing me along the way, because when she makes a turn-around, that's when I stopped believing. Maybe she just started taking her meds or something, I don't know.

Then there's the whole issue of the trip in the first place. So, Jack's parents were okay with him escorting her on her trip.  Okay, I guess. I'll go along with that--it was a train ride to Grand Central Station. Not much could go wrong there, right? However, when it turned into several-thousand-mile road trip and they were still just fine with it all? Um...no, not so much. "Have fun stormin' the castle, Jack, and be sure to buckle up since you're still TOO YOUNG TO DRIVE!" Just no.

I didn't find it nearly as funny as the first. More like disjointed, a bit manic, and strange.

* * * * *
What books have you read where the sequel is as good as the first in the series? I keep thinking it must be hard to write a sequel, because there are so many that fall flat.

Doll Bones, by Holly Black

Happy Halloween tomorrow, everyone!
I hope you have yummy treats without the tricks this year.

* * * * *
This was a perfect book to read this time of year. A little spooky--but not too bad (for me--not going to hand it to my kids!) If you want a quick, seasonal read, give this one a try!

Doll Bones, by Holly Black
2014 Newberry Honor

3 stars: Imaginative and creepy.

Zach is 12 and still plays make-believe games with Poppy and Alice, even though most people would say he's too old. "Most people" meaning his dad, any kid at middle school, and Poppy's older brothers, to name a few. Their complex made-up world is populated by action figure and doll characters. The doll they've dubbed the Queen is a bone china doll inside Poppy's house, locked in a cabinet. Apparently, the doll is worth a lot of money and must not be removed on pain of death. Not that they've ever really wanted to take her out. She's kind of creepy.

So when Poppy comes to get Zach (with Alice) in the middle of the night on an urgent mission, he's not sure what to think. Poppy has the doll with her and claims that not only is it filled with human ashes, she dreamed about the girl whose ashes they are. The girl wants to be buried properly [or else!] The problem is that the graveyard [she says] she belongs in is in East Lancaster, Ohio. It's attainable--by bus--but of course none of the parental figures would be pleased to let the kids go. An adventure begins.

* * * * *
There's a lot going on in this book. Each of the 3 friends has less than ideal family situations that they're dealing with. Poppy's older siblings are basically the town hooligans and her parents have given up on them and the house. Alice lives with her grandmother who is extra strict. Zach has both parents at home, but his dad has only been back for a few months, after walking out 3 years before. So there's a lot of built-up resentment and challenges there.

Black did a good job making the adventure seem plausible. The town they're trying to get to was close enough to be possible, but far enough to make it difficult. The troubles they ran into also seemed realistic. A couple of their solutions...well, were a bit of a stretch, but still within the realm of possibility.

She also did a good job building up the ghost story side of it. Details here and there--the doll moving from where they put it last, dreams from the dead girl's perspective, various minor characters talking like she's real and right there with them, etc. Yep, this book would have freaked me out had I read it as a kid. On that note, I don't plan to give it to any of my children either. They're a lot like me in that regard.

I can see why it won a Newberry Honor. It was very well written. I have never liked ghost stories very much, so 3 stars was about all I could give it.

As far as scare factor, I would say it was about on par with The Night Gardener, by Jonathan Auxier.

Content: One super creepy doll and all that follows. Middle grade level--not recommended for sensitive or easily scared readers.

(Finished reading Oct. 4.)


* * * * *
Have you read this one? Does this cover give you the shivers? It does me. I'm glad I just borrowed it from the library--this is not one I would want on my home bookshelf!

If you're looking for some not-so-scary books to read this month, I recommend this list from last year: Mini Theme: Halloween-ish Books.

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate

So, let's talk for a minute about my goal of reading all the Newberry award winners from the past 5 years. It's looking like I'm not going to make it by the end of the year. My original plan was to post each year, complete with reviews, once I had read them. However, it's taking me quite a bit longer to read them then I thought it would. Between the move and our new library's 5-item limit for new patrons, I haven't checked out very many hard copies of library books this year. (Just a couple of weeks ago I was able to get my card switched over to a regular patron card, which comes with a 30-item limit. Finally!) I have not purchased them either, because what if I don't like them?

So. What I'm going to do instead is post the individual reviews as I go. Several of the years I have read most of the books and already posted reviews on Goodreads. Once I get a complete year done, I will do a new post listing all of the books and linking to reviews if need be. I know you are on the edge of your seats for that to come!

* * * * *
So let's talk about this book!

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate
2013 Newberry Award

3 stars: Liked it; didn't love it.

Ivan the gorilla lives in a mall right off the freeway, where folks come and see him. There's also an old circus elephant named Stella who does a few tricks, and a few other animals. Bob the dog is a stray, but sleeps on Ivan's stomach most nights.

Ivan is not the fearsome animal his billboard makes him out to be. In fact, he is an artist. His owner, Mack, sells his paintings for $20 in the gift shop ($25 framed). Ivan is resigned to his life, with the short beginning and endless middle, until baby elephant Ruby joins the menagerie. Stella makes Ivan promise to protect Ruby and take care of her, once she is gone, and Ivan agrees.

As time goes on, things go badly for Mack. Numbers are dwindling, and Mack is getting desperate. None of the animals are being treated right, but especially baby Ruby is suffering. Ivan must figure out how to keep his promise and get Ruby out of there. If only the humans could understand his art. One special little girl named Julia may be just the person to make the connection.

* * * * *
I didn't love this as much as most other people. I don't know if I could even tell you why. It has some good messages in it, and the characters are each distinct and well-written. I guess I was having a hard time suspending my disbelief. It's strange, because that's usually not a problem for me. I read books with talking, thinking animals in them quite often, but for some reason, I didn't really get into it this time.

I just found out that it was based on a real gorilla named Ivan who lived in a mall, then eventually got moved to the Atlanta Zoo. (Yes, if you've read it, you probably already knew that.) That makes me like it more.

(Finished reading Aug. 21)

Series Spotlight: My Father's Dragon, by Ruth Stiles Gannett

I have had a copy of My Father's Dragon for the longest time. It was one of my favorite books I remembered reading growing up, and I have read it to each of my children multiple times. It wasn't until a few years ago, though, that I even realized it was a trilogy.

I went to buy a replacement copy and came across the other 2 books. So I bought all three in the compilation book: Three Tales of My Father's Dragon. After reading the other two, I have wished ever since that I had just stuck with the original. It is by far the best of the three.

This preference is reflected in my reading aloud. I've read the first one to them many times; the second and third? Maybe once or twice each. They seem to like the others okay while I read them, but they don't request them.

My Father's Dragon (My Father's Dragon #1), by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Newberry Honor 1949

5 stars: A sentimental favorite!

Elmer Elevator meets an old alley cat who tells him a fantastic story. There's a baby dragon that has been captured on Wild Island and used as transport across the river for all the animals. As Elmer is unhappy with his mother anyway (she doesn't like old alley cats), he decides to run away to rescue the baby dragon.

The alley cat is the only explorer ever to visit the island and leave alive, so he makes the perfect advisor for Elmer as to what to pack for the trip. He makes his way to the island and ends up using all the things in his pack to outwit the wild ferocious animals.

* * * * *
I've read this one to my children many, many times. Most recently, my 5 year old asked me to read it to him. I know he has been around for previous readings, but he was younger, so may not have been paying attention.

It was just as much fun for him as it has been for the rest! There's something very satisfying about having the list of all the things in the pack, and then seeing how each item is used--in different circumstances that you might originally expect. For kids who are counters, keeping track of the tangerines is also enjoyable. In addition, there's a delightful, subtle humor throughout the story. One of our favorite characters is the mouse with the speech impediment. The illustrations round it all out perfectly.

 

Elmer and the Dragon (My Father's Dragon #2), by Ruth Stiles Gannett

3 stars: Quirky and enjoyable in its own right.


Elmer and the Dragon are headed back to Popsicornia, to take Elmer home, when the little dragon's wings just give out. Unfortunately, they are flying over the ocean at the time. Fortunately, they happen to land on a submerged sandbank and are able to make it over to the nearby island once the tide goes out.

They find themselves on Feather Island, where all the escaped pet canaries go--including Elmer's! As they find out, the canaries all dying of curiosity--eventually--due to a secret kept by generations of the canary kings. Elmer and the dragon are able to help solve the mystery; (having hands is a big help), which cures all the birds of their dreadful disease.

* * * * *
Well, this was no My Father's Dragon, but it was a funny little story that made a decent sequel to Elmer's adventures from the first book. My 5 year old quite liked it. I thought the canaries were a nice touch. The "mystery" wasn't much to speak of, but hey--there was treasure, so that made up for a lot.

Elmer's parents were happy to have him home again and didn't ask too many awkward questions, so I guess all's well that ends well.

The Dragons of Blueland (My Father's Dragon #3), by Ruth Stiles Gannett

2 stars: A bit tired.

Boris--that's the dragon's name--drops off Elmer at home, then starts his own journey home to the Mountains of Blueland. After nearly getting caught by a determined farmer, he manages to make it across the desert and to the mountains, only to discover that there are hunters keeping his family captive in a cave. The men don't look like they're going to leave without taking some dragons with them.

Boris knows a secret entrance the cave, so he sneaks [almost all the way] in and tells his family to sit tight--he will go for help. Who does he get to help? Why, Elmer Elevator, of course! Elmer soon packs his bag with a few essentials for making a ruckus, and off the two go to save the day.

* * * * *
This is my least favorite of the trilogy. There are some plot points that don't make sense: Boris makes his way home very slowly with a few close calls with humans, but when he's going to and from picking up Elmer, he manages the journey much more quickly and easily. Also, why doesn't the dragon family blow a little fire (just enough to singe the men--they are nice dragons, after all) and scare them away?

Mostly, though, it's boring. As I said, the longest part of the story is Boris' journey home the first time. Then there's several more pages of picking up Elmer and going back, then the big climax comes and goes within just a couple of pages. Reminiscent of the first book, Elmer packs specific items in his bag, but instead of each item having an unusual and charming purpose, they all basically have the same purpose at the end, which is easy to guess and promptly executed.

I will say my 5-year-old seemed to enjoy it as much as the other two.

* * * * *
Have you read this whole trilogy? What was your take on the last 2 books?