Series Spotlight: Half Upon a Time, by James Riley

This is a trilogy that has taken me many moons to finish. The first book was given to us long ago--I have forgotten how or by whom. I read it way back then and enjoyed it very much, but somehow my frugal  (i.e. CHEAP) side kicked in and I never bought books 2 and 3 to finish it out. The libraries where we lived didn't have it. So it goes.

Then I received book 2 as a Mother's Day gift, and serendipitously happened to find book 3 at the library. Maybe they purchased it since I last checked?! So after 5 years, it's done in a couple of days. Nice!

Half Upon a Time (Half Upon a Time #1), by James Riley
4 stars: Delightful, with a side of sarcastic wit.
Jack has problems, like his grandfather's insistence that he rescue a princess when there are none to be found, for instance. Then a princess literally falls from the sky, and whether she likes it or not, she definitely needs rescuing. Figuring out who she is (could her grandma really be Snow White, or what?) and getting to the bottom of the whole situation is going to be an adventure for all involved.
A mashup of all sorts of fairy tales, Riley's quick wit and deft turn of phrase had me laughing in several parts of this book. The "modern girl dropped into a fairy tale world" theme worked very well here, because we got it all from Jack's point of view, with plenty of sarcastic exchanges between the characters. Along the way there were close shaves with giants, witches (and their children), and a wolf.
It did leave several loose ends to tie up, but it is the first book of a trilogy, so I suppose that's to be expected.
Content: clean
(Originally reviewed September 2014)

** 2019 update: While I did not find it as laugh-out-loud funny as the first time around, I still enjoyed it very much. I would stick with the 4 star rating.

Twice Upon a Time (Half Upon a Time, #2), by James Riley

3 stars: It's the middle book--what did you expect?


Jack, May and Prince Phillip are back to save the world--again. Well, sort of. In attempt to find out who May really is, they happen upon several legendary characters in need of some assistance; if by "assistance" you mean "demand favors at the risk of their lives." The Pied Piper, Bluebeard, the Little Mermaid, and several more. The problems keep coming and these 3 friends keep finding themselves in deeper and deeper water...um, literally and figuratively.

Meanwhile, Jack's dreams are constantly disturbed by an Eye (Wicked Queen's extraordinary guards/henchmen) named Lian who hassles him, predicts his every move, and smacks him around quite often just for the fun of it. It doesn't help that the Mirror's prophecy hangs over all their heads: one of the boys will betray May and one will die. Nothing like a good old prophecy to keep things chipper.

It will take everything they've got simply to survive, but rest assured they'll do it with plenty of sarcastic comments and foolishly bold feats of daring.

* * * * *
Well, talk about a sidetracked adventure! One or two questions about a person's identity become a tidal wave of things gone wrong. The verbal sparring of three main characters was still my favorite part of the book. There were some plot lines that didn't make sense for most of the book, which got old, but I was willing to stick it out based on my general enjoyment of it. It was fun to see how many stories and fairy tales I could spot.


Content: Clean.

Once Upon the End (Half Upon a Time, #3), by James Riley

4 stars: The plot twists in this one were great!


The 3 friends are at the beginning of this final tale, with Phillip and his rescued Sleeping Beauty (Penelope) back in his kingdom doing boring royal stuff; May sleeping in an attic and cooking and cleaning for her surly stepmom and stepsisters; and Jack on the side of the Wicked Queen as one of her Eyes. Nothing is going right for any of them, it seems. And yet...

* * * * *
I'm not going to go any further with my description, because I don't want to give anything away. Never fear, though, there are adventures aplenty still ahead for our Fearsome Threesome--oh, Foursome, I guess now, with Penelope. There were some fun and very clever plot twists that kept everything hopping and incidentally, made certain parts of Books 1 & 2 make more sense.

I was satisfied by the ending--of the book itself and of the trilogy.

Content: Clean.

* * * * * * * * * *

This is a fun series. It's Young Adult/Teen, but I would say probably young teen. Actually, my 11 year old and my 9 year old have read the first book and liked it, so it could go down to elementary-aged kiddos as well.

I appreciated that Riley kept it squeaky clean throughout the series. Even with the boy/girl dynamics, there were a couple of kisses to awaken sleeping...people, but other than that, it was all just fun and innocent. Even the kisses were innocent--everyone was pretty embarrassed by the whole thing, to be  honest!

The characters are all very witty and full of ready one-liners for every perilous situation they encounter. While everything did come together by the end, I liked that it didn't just fall into place from the get-go, particularly with certain relationships. Jack's relationship with his Dad and sister was an interesting story arc.

I guess now I may actually have to purchase book 3, so we have the whole set at home!

Mini Theme: A Night at the Ball

I went on a Cinderella kick in December. I guess I needed the escape of glass slippers and fairy tale endings, with all the fire-related stress going on in my life. It fit the bill. Most of these were in the young adult section of the library.

Of the 4, I don't know that there was a particular stand-out. I enjoyed them, but haven't purchased any of them for my home collection. Actually, reading these got me thinking of Cinderella movies I have enjoyed. "Ever After," with Drew Barrymore, is one of my all-time favorites. Speaking of which, I have yet to see the new Disney version! I guess it's not even really new anymore. Do you have a favorite movie on this theme?

I quite enjoy fairy tale retellings, and it seems there are more cropping up every year, so I will no doubt revisit this theme again at some point. In the meantime, here are 4 to try for Cinderella fans.

 Cinderella (Faerie Tale Collection), by Jenni James

3 stars: Friendship becomes romance.


Eleanoria Woodston mostly tries not to think about how her life has changed since her beloved father died. Her stepmother, Lady Dashlund, rules the home with an iron hand, with Ella receiving the brunt of it. She now lives in the attic, instead of her own bedroom, and she does all the chores. Her stepsisters get to wear all the finery and are the recipients of Ella's hard work. Even her beloved horse, Sunshine, was sold to help pay the debts.

Prince Anthony has been roped into paying a formal visit to the Dashlund household, along with his friend Lord Gavenston. On the way there, he spots a woman on the grounds, whom he is certain is Eleanoria--a friend and rival from his childhood, when he used to sneak out of the castle and enter into local horse races. It can't be her, though. She's is dressed as a servant; she, whose father was one of the wealthiest merchants in the kingdom. Prince Anthony decides he must find out what is going on, so he once again dons the old ruse and nickname "John" and leaves Lord Gavenston to make his way on his own with the Dashlund sisters.

* * * * *
This version stayed fairly close to the original. What I liked about it, though, was that Ella and the Prince renewed their friendship long before the ball. The Prince got a lot more backstory, which was nice. He was more than a cardboard cutout. In this one, the King was dying, and he had the weight of that on his shoulders.

That being said, there was a part that tended toward insta-love. It had been 3 days (I think) since Ella and Anthony had renewed their acquaintance, and she started going on about all that she loved about him, naming each facial feature in turn (yes, it was awkward even reading about it.) Then at the end, she said something about how she didn't want him to take it wrong, because she knew they were just friends. Um...what?  Maybe that was just evidence of her own confusion. Anyway, they continued to meet for several more months before really declaring undying devotion to one another.


Content: Clean.

Ella, by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

3 stars: Ella is resourceful and has purpose behind her obedience.

Ella Blakely works as a servant in her own home, ever since the death of her beloved father Henry. She has chosen to stay, despite the abuse from her stemother Victoria, and stepsisters Cecilia and Mabel, because of a promise to her father on his deathbed--that she would take care of them. She knows that he had no idea how bad things would get, but she still honors the promise and the man. She also stays because Ashfield is her home and has been in the family for generations. She will not leave, and by so doing, leave Ashfield in Victoria's clutches to do with as she chooses.

As it is, they are barely getting by. Ella somehow manages to scrape together food from the eggs and milk their 2 chickens and 1 cow give, but they are in desperate straits. Victoria has already sold off anything of value in the home, but instead of using the money to buy food or pay for upkeep, she invariably uses it to buy dresses for her daughters, or other trappings to make it look to the outside world like everything is still just fine.

When Prince Kenton returns home from years travelling abroad, he makes an electrifying announcement: he is having a ball, and means to choose his bride from amongst the commoners. Ella must get to that ball! Not that she will be the one chosen, but if she is--it would be a way out, while still keeping her promise to provide for her family.

Her friend Will, whom she often meets by the pond in the morning, has been so sweet to her always. He works at the palace, in charge of the stables. Maybe if he could give her a ride, or something...there must be a way for her to go!

* * * * *
I read this one after Ella's Will and it actually made me like Ella better. From Will's perspective, she is just too angelic and sweet to be believed. This one shows that she does feel frustrated and angry at her stepmother and stepsisters, at times, and that she isn't completely perfect.

Content: Clean.

Ella's Will, by Jessilynn Stewart Peaslee

3 stars: Maybe it's not the Prince who deserves the lady's hand.

Will Hawkins grew up in the Blakely home, ever since his own father died. In fact, Henry Blakely taught him more about what it means to be a man and a father than anyone else. His love of horses, and his first horse of his very own, came from working for Mr. Blakely. When Mr. Blakely died, however, Will was let go.

Some years later, as he's passing Ashfield--the Blakely ancestral home--he notices what seems to be a servant girl out in the yard. She is barefoot, though the ground is frozen, and ragged. When he gets closer, he recognizes Ella Blakely--at least, that's who it seems to be--but why the fear the comes over her face when he stops to talk to her, and why in heaven's name is Henry Blakely's daughter in this condition in her own home?

What he discovers is disheartening, to say the least. However, he learns that there is nothing he can do for Ella without causing additional hardship to her. Her stepmother will punish Ella at the slightest sign of help or interference from anyone, including Will. A chance meeting by a pond in the woods later on begins a new ritual of morning visits. He comes to treasure that time spent together.

As they both mature, Will begins to think about and plan for marriage. He's in charge of the Royal Stables, and has managed to save up some money. Then word comes out that the Prince plans to host a ball, to include commoners. What's more, he has stated his intentions of choosing a bride from those attending the ball. As Will thinks about his beloved Ella, he can't ruin her chances of being chosen by the Prince for a life of luxury, so he keeps his proposal (and most of his feelings bottled up) and does his best to support her as she gets ready for the ball. A few kisses may change everything, though.

* * * * *
Of the duo, I actually read this one first, as I mentioned earlier. It was good, though Will has Ella on such a pedestal that it was hard to relate to or like her very much. It was a sweet story about true love--in this case manifesting itself by Will sacrificing his own hopes for the greater good of the one he loved. Some humor in the grounds staff being used as waiters in the castle for the big ball. I was happy with the ending.

Content: clean.

Cinder and Ella, by Melissa Lemon

3 stars: Unexpected depth.

Cinder and Ella are sisters, the middle of 4 girls. Their family used to be close and happy, until one day the Prince came and talked to their father late into the night, about rebellion and how the King was mad. His words had a devastating effect, over time ensnaring their father in a subtle but evil spell. He eventually left the family all together. Their mother copes with the loss and changes by weaving constantly, day and night, and either giving in to or ignoring her daughters completely.

Katrina, the eldest daughter, becomes more and more selfish and tyrannical. Meanwhile, Beatrice, the baby of the family, is given anything she wants to stop her from crying or throwing a fit. Cinder sweetly goes about serving the family and taking care of the other 2, while Ella is more spunky and often gets exasperated with the state of things. The 2 girls are best friends, however, and help each other as much as they can.

Their mother has become confused in her mind, to the point where Ella does not exist anymore. She has become a part of Cinder, so rather than call for either girl by name, they both become "Cinderella." Cinder gets a job at the castle to help support the family, but Ella can't put up with the dysfunction all by herself for long. She soon also leaves to find work--preferably somewhere far, far away from the unhappiness that fills her home.

When Cinder returns home on leave to discover Ella gone, she decides she must find her, no matter what. She talks to a considerate guard at the castle, who forms a search party for the missing girl. Unfortunately, along the way, the Prince is informed of the plans, and he sets in motion sinister plans of his own for the sisters.

* * * * *
This one was quite different than the usual story. The basic elements are still there, but most have been altered dramatically. It was interesting. I didn't love it, but I liked it fine. Then I got to the end and thought--wait a minute! Has this whole thing been an allegory? So then I thought about it a lot more, trying to fit the various characters into different roles in the allegory.

If you read it, I'd like to know what you think.


Content:There's an attempted rape--not graphic--and some fantasy violence.


* * * * *
Can't get enough fairy tale retellings? Try some of these as well:

He Said/She Said: Fairy Tales from the Guys' POV

3 Fairy Tale Retellings

Happy reading!

3 Read-Alouds

Reading aloud to my children is constantly evolving. Right now, as my oldest two have become avid readers on their own (yay!) I don't read out loud to them as much. Instead, we tend to do more parallel reading, where we both read the same book then talk about it. Or trading-off reading, where I read some of a story out loud, then they take the book and read it on their own for awhile, then I pick up from where they left off to read more out loud, and so on.

My read-aloud time with my 5 year old son is probably the closest to the traditional way. Since the beginning of the school year, we have read several chapter books together and stacks of picture books. What really warms my heart is when one of my older children will pull out a book and read to their younger sibling/s.

Here are some of our read-alouds from the past few months:

The Magic Finger, by Roald Dahl
Illustrations by Quentin Blake

3 stars: Satisfying.

The little girl who lives next to the Gregg's simply cannot stand their hunting. They shoot birds all the time, just for the thrill of it. One day she becomes very, very angry and turns her Magic Finger on them. The Greggs turn into birds. Will the lesson in empathy work? Will the Greggs ever become human again?

* * * * *
This was a short read-aloud. My kids enjoyed it. The premise was simple, but well executed. It was quite easy to imagine the whole thing happening. As with all Roald Dahl books, there was a slightly off-kilter sense of humor at work, such as when the Greggs attempted to make a nest.

It was quite gratifying to see how it all worked out in the end. The illustrations by Blake added quite a bit to the appeal of the story.

(Finished reading Aug. 15)

Pollyanna (Great Illustrated Classics version), adapted by Marian Leighton
Original story by Eleanor H. Porter

3 stars: I thought it was just okay, but my daughter liked it.

Polly is a rather severe woman, who takes no nonsense from her servants or anyone else. When her brother dies, she very grudgingly takes in her only niece, named Pollyanna. Even though Aunt Polly does her best to raise the girl with strictness and no affection, Pollyanna's positive attitude in every situation soon has the staff of the house jumping to her every need.

She makes friends everywhere she goes with her "Glad Game," from the invalid neighbor she goes to see regularly, to the grumpy man on the street whom she greets cheerfully every day. You see, her father always taught her that there was something to be glad about in almost every situation--sometimes you just had to look harder for it than others. Living with Aunt Polly would suck the joy right out of life for most people, but dear little Pollyanna even finds gladness there.

Pollyanna will need all of her friends and all of her optimism when tragedy strikes.

* * * * *
Did you ever see this movie? I did, a long time ago. I vaguely remembered it. That was my only experience with this story. I read this one with my 7-year-old daughter. I would read some chapters, then she would take it to her room and read more on her own as she had time. We finished it together.

The 3 star rating is the middle ground between our opinions. Here's what I had a problem with: the characters were all fairly 2-dimensional. They were mean (Aunt Polly), or loyal and sweet (servant girl), or glad (Pollyanna), and that was about it. There may have been other sides to their personalities, but we really didn't see them.

Also, I felt like the Moral of the Story was beating me about the face as I read it. Nearly every interaction between the characters seemed primarily a construct for showing one more example of how a positive attitude could make any situation better. Okay, okay! Enough already!

It did make me wonder how the full length book would be different than this abridged version.

Has anyone read the original? What did you think about it?

(Finished reading Sept. 4)

The Rumplestiltskin Problem, by Vivian Vande Velde

5 stars: Witty and satisfying.

Rumpelstiltskin is a rather odd tale, if you stop to think about it. Vande Velde obviously has thought about it. Her conclusions led to this delightful collection of 6 short revisions of the classic tale.

I knew I was in for a treat when I laughed all the way through the prologue. 

(Originally reviewed on Goodreads, Feb. 2011).

Sept. 16, 2017 update:

I found a copy of this one at the thrift store and snatched it right up! I was excited to introduce it to my daughter. First I re-read it myself. I still really liked it, though I think I would give it 4 stars rather than 5 were I to review it today.  Then I took it up to my daughter and read her the Prologue. After that, I left it with her to read the rest on her own. The stories themselves weren't all funny, but all were clever and came up with at least somewhat plausible reasons for the events of the story. We had fun discussing it after she was done.

* * * * *

How has reading aloud to your children changed as they have gotten older? (Or has it?)

3 Fairy Tale Retellings

I have a read a handful of fairy tale retelling in the past 2 months. I think what I enjoy most about them is seeing the way the author takes this well-known template and creates something unique and even delightful with it. I mean, think about it: the main plot points and the characters are all pretty set. Obviously, any element can be played with, depending on how closely one wants to stick to the original tale, but to be recognizable in the genre there has to be at least some touchstones along the way.

These were all quite different from each other.

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story, by Carolyn Turgeon

3 stars: Darker in tone, with bits of magical realism.

Lil has been around this world for a very, very, long time. She works at an used books store in Manhatten, and goes home at night to an apartment, alone with her memories. She used to be a fairy, living in the world under the lake. The brightness and freedom of that time seem so far away now. Her white feathery wings are all she has left as a reminder of who she was before she was banished, and even they must be tightly kept under wraps in the human world. You see, she made a terrible mistake in the matter of a young girl; a girl who was destined to meet a prince.

* * * * *
Have you ever seen the movie "Enchanted" with Amy Adams? [Pause while I go watch a couple of the songs on YouTube.] All right, I'm back. Anyway, she's a fairy-tale princess who inadvertently finds herself in New York. It is so fun and lighthearted, right?

This....is not like that. Take that idea, add some tragedy, unrequited love, terrible consequences, and an old lady who may or may not be completely crazy, and well, there you go. You're getting a little closer now.

To have a real live fairy godmother living in NYC, complete with wings, it may seem obvious there would have to be some sort of magical realism going on. I was going with it. I got comfortable with the idea. The wings seemed to be the extent of it pretty much. Then there was more. Things started spiraling.

The ending was disconcerting. It fit, I think, but I was left with the feeling of "Wait a minute, what just happened here?" Um...don't know what else to say about that without spoiling it. So yeah. Don't go into this expecting warm fuzzies or redemption. It seemed like that's where it was headed, but then it was like getting smacked in the face with a bucket of cold water. I suppose the magical realism in that way was quite effective. There were parallel realities going on and as the reader you got to choose which to believe.

If you read it, I definitely would like to discuss it with you!

Content: Some innuendo and strong desire, but all it led to was kissing.

(Finished reading April 26)

Five Enchanted Roses, Edited by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

3 stars: The average rating for the 5 stories.

A collection of 5 novellas, each a different retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

1. Espirit de la Rose, by Kaycee Browning

Cecilia's father is not a nice man. He has been a pirate on the high seas for some time now, in fact. Since the passing of her mother, all Cecilia wants is safe passage to her aunt and uncle's home in London, which he agrees to. Unfortunately, that means on one of his ships.

He has neglected to inform his daughter that he recently has stolen something that brings with it grave consequences: a mirror that belongs to the Fee. They are otherworldly creatures who live by their own rules and they don't take the theft lightly. In fact, they are coming after her father. Then Cecilia, acting more out of terror than rational thought, ends up taking her father's place.

She finds herself on a ghost ship, peopled with hideous creatures who used to be men. They lurk about her with sinister intent and it's only through the efforts of the Captain that they are kept at bay. As Cecilia finds out more about this ship she's on and the mysterious Captain Pepin, she realizes that she may be the key to saving them all.

* * * * *
This one only bore a passing resemblance to the original tale. I think this one would be better expanded into a full-length novel. I was left with several questions about this world, the Fee, and their prisoners, which I'm sure could be answered given another 100 pages!


2. Wither, by Savannah Jezowski

Lilybet Haverly takes her younger sister's place when the Beast of Briarstone Abbey demands an exchange. Ghouls and creatures of the underworld abound and there is definitely more to the beast (and the Abbey) than meets the eye.

* * * * *
Though I am usually not too keen on zombies and other gruesome creatures, I actually quite enjoyed this one. I liked that the beast had his own unique backstory and more to do than just schlump around the castle--oops Abbey--feeling sorry for himself. Also, that he gradually came to realize that Lilybet was the right sister for the exchange, after all. I liked that it was Lilybet's courage and strength, rather than beauty, that were needed, as it should be in a tale of looking beyond appearances.


3. Stone Curse, by Jenelle Schmidt

Ever since the night of the ball, Karyna has avoided the ballroom at all costs. You see, it is still full of people. Well, statues who used to be people, anyway. On that terrible night, Karyna lost everyone important to her: her father, turned to stone; and her best friend, the Princess Bellenya, who was taken away by the enchantress that cast the curse. She still has one friend in the castle--Prince Barend. Though he was turned into a beast that night, they have managed to continue their friendship.

When the Prince and Karyna find out that the enchantress is at an abandoned castle they know of, they decide to go seek her out no matter the consequences. They will do anything to break the curse, if it can be broken at all.

* * * * *
This was interesting. Rather than the focus being on the developing relationship between the beast and the girl, it was on the quest to break the curse. I had guessed a bit of it, so the ending wasn't a big surprise. It was fine, but I didn't love it.


4. Rosara and the Jungle King, by Dorian Tsukioka

Rosara is completely at home in the jungle. It hides her when Maor from the village would take her as his 3rd wife, by force. Then she meets the incredible jaguar, who watches over her. She may escape to the jungle forever, if the karawara or jungle spirits will grant her a boon. They are known to be tricky, though, and exact a terrible price for any gift they bestow. How much is she willing to give up?

* * * * *
Who is really the beast in this story? The answer is pretty obvious. A bit predictable. Hard to build up a relationship between a woman and a jaguar. I had a hard time getting into this one.


5. The Wulver's Rose, by Hayden Wand

In this Scottish retelling, the man who becomes the beast is innocent and undeserving of his fate. He is turned into a wulver--a sort of werewolf that is half man, half wolf. Though he does not start with beastly qualities, over a long period of time the wulver becomes embittered by the futility of breaking the curse. Enter the merchant who steals the rose, and then Bonnie, the merchant's daughter. She is terrified of being eaten, but slowly comes to appreciate the wulver's finer qualities.

* * * * *
This one stayed the closest to the original tale. Enjoyable.

The Merchant's Daughter (Hagenheim #2), by Melanie Dickerson

3 stars: It was good, but not exceptional.

Annabel's family has fallen on hard times, but she is the only one willing to step up and try to fix things. After public disgrace, a sentence is handed down: one of them will have to become an indentured servant to Lord Ranulf, owner of their land. It looks like it will be up to Annabel. Not that her family is grateful at all.

As Annabel learns how to work with her hands, she also gets to know Lord Ranulf, who is terribly disfigured from an accident in his past. Despite his prickly exterior, the two build up a rapport. She reads to him from the Bible at night and their shared faith becomes common ground for a friendship to develop.

* * * * *

Remember me talking about a book that I had read, then forgot about reading until I picked it up again a few months later? That was this book. So that's not exactly a glowing recommendation, is it? Reading the Goodreads description has brought it back to mind for me, for the most part! :)

A few things that made it unique from other retellings were the historical side of it--tenant farmers, and community courts deciding issues, etc.; not sure how accurate that was, but it added interest--and the Christian content. There's quite a bit about various Bible passages, and Annabel's strong desire to go into a nunnery plays into the way the plot works out in the end.

Content: Clean. There was an attempted rape, but Annabel defended herself and was rescued before it got anywhere.

* * * * *

Do you have a favorite fairy tale retelling? I'm all ears!

Rose Daughter & Chalice, by Robin McKinley

Robin McKinley is one of my favorite authors. She's done several fairy tale retellings, and some fantasy. Her fantasy worlds tend to be richly detailed and her characters flawed but quick to learn.

As a caveat: Based on the reviews I've read concerning content, I have not read her adult novels.

Both of these would work for teens on up. Content-wise, they would be fine for older middle grade readers, if they were particularly interested.

Chalice

4 stars: A stand-alone fantasy with intriguing characters and a well-developed world.

I first read this in November of 2011. Here's what I had to say back then:

"Mirasol is Chalice: a job, or calling rather, which means she listens to the land and must bind it to its new master. The trouble is that the new Master was nearly finished with his training as a Fire Priest, which means he is not altogether human anymore. Whether or not he is capable of overseeing the land and winning the hearts of the people remains to be seen.

Before she was chosen to be Chalice, she was a beekeeper, and since the previous Master and Chalice both died under unfortunate circumstances, she has no mentor and no training in her new responsibilities. If she can't figure it out, her beloved land and its people may be overtaken by outside rule, which would mean disaster for all concerned.

Enjoyable, with characters I cared about." 

* * * * *
It stood up to a re-reading. It had been long enough that I remembered the main story but not the details. Perfect!

If you don't like bees, you had best stay away from this book. Mirasol was a beekeeper and her bees, plus their honey, played a large role in the book. I am fascinated with bees and beekeeping, so I really liked that part of it, but it may not be for everyone.

I appreciated the way Mirasol's relationship with the new Master grew slowly, over time. McKinley managed to make even a red-eyed smoke man become an appealing leading man. That's impressive! The ending was fitting, I thought, and redemptive. Lots of bees there too.

Not my favorite of her work overall, but a pleasant world to get lost in for a couple of hours.

Content: clean

p.s. 4 gold stars for the cover!

(Finished reading March 18)

Rose Daughter

3.5 stars: Many elements I quite enjoyed in this one, some I didn't like at all. Overall, I still like Beauty better.

I would venture to guess that most authors do not revisit the same story, once they have written about it. Robin McKinley's Beauty: A Retelling of the Beauty and the Beast ranks up there as one of my favorite fairy tale retellings. In fact, I think the animated Disney movie was largely based on her retelling. So it's intriguing to me that 20 years later, she wrote the story again. Not a sequel, or any relation to the first, other than the fairy tale at the base.

In this version of the tale, Beauty and her sisters must forge a new life for themselves in a tiny village far away from the family catastrophe (their father's bankruptcy and ensuing fallout.) They learn skills they never knew they had, and even come to thrive under the constraints of hard work and small spaces.

Beauty finds great joy in bringing the cottage's garden back to life and is thrilled when the mysterious thorny bush surround the front door actually bursts into glorious bloom. There is not a hedge witch in the area--hasn't been for quite some time, in fact--so her way with plants sets neighbors to talking. Though Beauty herself is certain it can't be magic--just a knack for growing things, is all.

When it comes about that she must go to the Beast's castle, what she finds is that he needs a gardener as much as anything. His roses, inside an enormous greenhouse, are dying. There is really no life of any kind to be found at the castle or around the grounds. As Beauty works to save the roses, her gentle influence welcomes all sorts of critters to make their homes on the grounds. Slowly, she is bringing everything back to life--including the Beast. But will it be enough?

* * * * *
Some things I really liked:

Beauty's family relationships. Though they started out cold and distant, Beauty and her sisters really pulled together during their family crisis (and beyond) to become great friends and confidantes. Her father's gradual recovery was well-written and hopeful.

I appreciated the symbolism of Beauty's talent for bringing life, and how that carried over to her time at the Beast's castle. Her animal visitors at the castle were delightful and brought a very down-to-earth element to the fantastical happenings.

The descriptions of the gardening and tending the roses. I am a gardener, after all. I can see why many reviewers felt like it dragged, though. I think McKinley must really love roses, because the detail and care she took describing this aspect of the story was much more pronounced than in her first version. If you don't care so much about gardening, you might be bored stiff during those parts.

Some things I didn't like so much:

There was quite a lot of ambiguity surrounding the physical reality of the castle and its grounds. I understood that it was magic, and therefore things wouldn't have to remain in the same place, etc., but where it was charming in Beauty, somehow it came across as confusing and pointless in this one.

The unicorns and their poop. Okay, that was just kind of weird.

Beauty's nightmares and final journey to find the Beast. It was all so murky. Why would she have these nightmares from the time she was little? Why must that final journey be so long and drawn out?! Why couldn't hedge witch what's-her-name do a little more to help out?

The ending--not my favorite.


So there you go. Worth your time if Beauty and the Beast is your favorite fairy tale and you want another perspective on it. Or if you really love roses.

Content: Clean.

(Finished reading March 14)

* * * * *

Do you have a favorite Robin McKinley novel? Do tell!

4 Middle Grade Novels

Friends, I'm slipping! I just sat down to read a book this evening that I've renewed from the library a couple of times already. I was on page 2 when I realized that I have read this book. Recently. It can't have been more than a couple of months. Nothing about the cover, the blurb on the back, or even the character's names rang a bell until I actually opened it up and started reading.

Not a great sign! I hadn't reviewed it anywhere, or even wrote down when I finished it, which I try to do with every book I read. Now you know why I review the books I've read. Give me a couple of weeks and POOF! They're gone. Oh dear. I may be losing my marbles. Hopefully I will find them again once we have moved!

At least these 4 books I actually remember reading. Sheesh!

Charlie's Raven, by Jean Craighead George

3 stars: At times the plot and characters became secondary to observations of the raven, but still enjoyable.

Charlie loves spending time at his grandparent's house right up close to the Teton Mountains. He spends all of his summers there, ever since his family moved to town, and soaks up all he can of the natural beauty and wildlife. His grandfather was a scientist and naturalist, but lately his health has deteriorated.

Charlie had heard of the old Native American story that Raven can heal people. He's determined to find a raven to heal his grandfather. He actually finds one, too--a chick he takes from its nest and names Blue Sky. Young Blue Sky is not only smart, he does seem to be helping Granddad regain some strength and vitality. 

As he learns about raising a raven, and protecting him from all sorts of danger, Charlie also tries to determine if ravens are good or bad.

* * * * *
Blue Sky is really the star of this book--all the other characters, including Charlie, are supporting players. Not as strongly written as some of her others in that respect. Fascinating and entertaining to observe raven behavior along with Charlie, though, and find out how incredibly smart they are.

I always feel like I've learned something valuable after reading a book by Jean Craighead George.

(Finished reading April 21)

Grayling's Song, by Karen Cushman

3 stars: A magical quest for a young girl and her companions.

Grayling is the daughter of a witch. Her mother has always been extra competent and many, many people have come to her for remedies, spells, and advice over the years. Grayling sort of feels like the hired hand most of the time. Despite her mother's many virtues, she has never been what you might call nurturing. She constantly gets after Grayling for her daydreaming and work-avoidance tendencies.

Then her mother is turned into a tree. It becomes Grayling's task to find her mother's grimoire, or book of spells, and come to the rescue. Grayling is very reluctant to go adventuring, but she does anyway. Along the way she discovers that it's not just her mother who has been turned into a tree. Witches and enchanters of all sorts have been affected by the same dark magic.

Before long, Grayling has fallen in with some companions who will prove invaluable on her journey. The most important person, though, will be herself--once she figures out where her own strengths lie and gains some confidence.

* * * * *
I liked this one, despite the formulaic feel to it. It had some interesting and entertaining characters. The villain was not who I was expecting, but once I knew who it was I had a hard time believing that character could really create that much trouble. Grayling had some believable growth, which was satisfying.

Several reviewers say this one is great on audiobook, read by Katherine Kellgren. I may give that a try and see if I like it better! It does seem like it would lend itself well to reading aloud.

(Finished reading April 12)

Jed and the Junkyard War, by Steven Bohls

4 stars: Highly imaginative.

Twelve-year-old Jed's parents have always expected quite a lot of him. For instance, making his way home from the middle of nowhere, armed with only a package of gum and some string. (Or maybe it was a lighter and a bottle of water? There were several instances...) Other than the quirk of tossing him into perilous situations and expecting him to survive, they have had some great times together.

Then one day, his parents disappear, leaving behind a mysterious note and an even more mysterious tunnel behind the dishwasher. Oh, there's a backpack, as well, this time with bottles of water and batteries in it. Also, a can opener....because, of course.

As Jed follows the instructions left to him by his parents, he comes to an incredible world made out of junk. Trash. Piles of it as tall and as far as the eye can see. Not only that, it's a world with its own people, currency, food, and pecking order. He is somehow supposed to find his parents in all of this?! His task would seem a lot more impossible if he wasn't used to thinking on his feet. Suddenly, a lot more of his childhood begins to make sense. Unfortunately, other parts have become even murkier. No time for much sentimentality now. He's got a job to do!

* * * * *
This world was so unique, yet I could picture it quite clearly. Memorable characters and fast-paced plot. Despite the near-constant danger of all kinds for Jed, there was an undercurrent of humor and wit that I enjoyed very much. Just when I thought I knew where it was all headed, the climax came along and surprised me. I love it when that happens!

Now here's the question: is this steampunk or just fantasy? I'm calling it steampunk, folks. No elves or fairies here! Just a whole lot of action-packed fun in a world of mechanical junk!

I'm ready for the sequel!

(Finished reading April 14)

 

Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beantstalk, by Liesl Shurtliff

4 stars: Another winner from Liesl Shurtliff!

Jack has always known that he was named after an ancient ancestor--Jack the Giant Killer--and as such, there are great expectations on him as well. People in his day and age don't really believe in giants anymore, though. Jack's not sure what to believe. Until the day the sky rains dirt and 2 giants come down, completely wreaking havoc of his family's farm. They take his father with them when they go, along with the entire rest of the village, buildings and all.

Jack knows what he has to do: he's got to live up to his name and go after the giants, so he can bring his dad back home again. He sells the family cow for some magic beans, and you know the rest. Or do you? ...

Jack and his feisty little sister Annabelle have some giant problems to face up in the land above the clouds, not the least of which is changing their expectations to reality. It could be that not all giants are evil bloodthirsty killers. Perhaps the giants may even have troubles of their own.

* * * * *
This isn't a story that gets retold very often--at least that I can think of. The original tale seems fairly straightforward--at least as far as fairy tales go--and you may think there wouldn't be much room for re-imagining things. Shurtliff proves that assumption wrong right from the beginning!

Jack is a troublemaker with a good heart. As he makes his way amongst the giants, both sides of his personality will be called upon to succeed at his task of reuniting his family. One of my favorite parts about the book was Jack's relationship with his little sister. There's sibling rivalry, mixed with actual caring, admiration, and bickering, just like many real-life sibling relationships I know (including some in my own household.) 

I also liked that Jack found his own way to be a hero, separate from what his however-many-greats grandpa did. Different situations call for different types of greatness, after all. Also, it was fun catching the references to other fairy tales within this one.

(Finished reading April 18.)


* * * * *
Which of these have you read and liked? Do you have any middle grade fiction to recommend (since that seems to be my go-to choice lately)?

Have you ever gotten that funny feeling you've read a book before, because oh that's right--you have?!  C'mon, spill it!

A Handful of Fantasy + 1 Sci-Fi

Trying to get caught up on my reviews again! If you like fantasy, there's a bit of a range here. I don't read nearly as much science fiction--as this list represents so well. If you do, give me some of your favorites! It's a genre I wouldn't mind branching out into more.

Followed By Frost, by Charlie Holmsberg

3 stars: To be read in your coziest PJ's, with extra blankets on hand!

Smitha is the town's popular beauty queen, with attitude to match. She leads guys along for fun, then drops them like a rock (also for fun.) Then one day she stands up the wrong guy. It turns out he is a magician, and in his hurt and anger, he curses her to have the coldness of her heart be matched by the rest of her (I'm paraphrasing here.)

Smitha becomes the Snow Queen, essentially. I mean, blizzards gather wherever she goes, she can't touch anyone without freezing them, and she herself feels miserably frozen cold all the time. Her food freezes before she can get it to her mouth. Everything is just ice. Brrr...

It's not long before her family and home village ask her to leave, as the snow is piling up higher than anyone can ever remember--and it's supposed to be spring. She becomes a wanderer; hunted, chased, and feared wherever she goes. Until one day, when the person hunting her actually catches her--and offers her a chance for a new life.

* * * * *
This was a good book to read in January, when it was bitterly cold outside. I piled on the blankets and had at it! I don't enjoy being cold--at all--so all the descriptions of how cold Smitha was all the time were not my favorite part of the book.

However, Smitha did eventually make some satisfying personal growth (she had a long way to go), and I enjoyed the ending.

Content: clean

** You can read this one for free from Kindle Unlimited right now, if you get that!

(Finished reading Jan. 16)

Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet, by Charlie Holmsberg

1.5 stars: Unique concept, but it didn't work for me.

Maire has some big holes in her memory--specifically, anything that happened prior to a few years back, when she found herself beaten up on a rural road. Some kind strangers took her in and since then she has discovered a talent for baking. So she does that--infusing a little something extra into her confections to help her customers with their daily problems. She is content, except for nagging questions about her past that she can't come up with answers to.

Then one day raiders come to the village. Maire is captured, along with many others, and eventually bought by a man named Alleman. He is crazy and vicious and also a little bit magical. Maire survives physical abuse, bakes magical cake for a few different well-known fairy tale characters and tries to figure out who she is/was and what in the world is going on.

You see, Alleman has this strange connection to her. Also, there's a spirit-type guy named Fyel who comes around every so often to chat and give her completely unhelpful, vague clues. There's definitely something she should be remembering and figuring out, but in the meantime, she also must survive.

* * * * *
This book was really different. Most of the book was Maire trying to figure out what's going on and why, while she got beat up in various ways. Yeah. The connections to fairy tales were little glimmers of light, but they didn't last long. Then when she finally put all the pieces together, it was just... different. The conversations with Fyel were frustrating. A lot of the book was frustration and pain--for Maire and for me as a reader (okay, not so much physical pain for me, but mental WHY? type pain.) I don't know what else to say without spoiling it, but not my favorite. An extra half-star for the final resolution.

Content: Physical abuse, violence from the raiders. For adults.

** FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

(Finished reading Jan. 16)

Mechanica, by Betsy Cornwell

3.5 stars: Cinderella with a side of steampunk!

Ever since her brilliant mother passed away and the Steps came to live at their house, Nicolette has been little more than a servant. Until her 16th birthday, that is. That is when a letter from her mother prompts an investigation of the basement. With some clues from the letter, Nicolette finds the best birthday gift ever: her mother's workshop and studio, tucked away all this time behind hidden panels. She is so excited! She can hardly wait to get down there and check it all out. Of course, there are chores to be done. (Thank you, magical mechanical inventions that the Steps don't know about.)

As Nicolette explores her mother's workshop, and even begins to design and make some things of her own, she gains hope that there will be a way out of her situation. There's a Technological Exposition coming up, the first of its kind in the kingdom, and she is determined to enter and find a wealthy patron or two. If she could just earn her own income, she get leave the Steps forever and live and work on her own!

Slowly, her life begins to open up as she makes new friends, and begins to use her sharp mind for inventing; following in her mother's footsteps. As long as the Steps don't find out until it is already said and done.

* * * * *
I've got to say it: this is not the Cinder remake. It's unfortunate that they came out within a couple years of each other. While both retellings cast our heroine as a mechanic (what are the odds of that unique storyline being duplicated?), they are very different in tone, setting, and overall plot. Compared to Cinder, this one stays much closer to the original fairy tale.

In addition, Cornwell brings up ideas of true friendship, plus class and race differences. Worth your time for the awesome mechanical bugs and the little horse.

(Finished reading Jan. 13)


I've had a hard time settling into books over the past few months--especially longer books. I look through my options, even read a chapter or two, then put it down or scroll to the next on my Kindle. I don't know why I've been so antsy. Usually I know exactly the type of book I'm in the mood for at any given time.

So, these last two at least pulled me in enough from the beginning to get past that initial apathy. Green Rider, especially, sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. The other was...less compelling as time went on, but I did manage to finish it.

Green Rider (Green Rider #1), by Kristen Britain

4 stars: Action packed!

Karigan G'ladheon has been kicked out of school after a fight with the wrong person--the school bully, who happens to be very rich. She's defiantly trudging along, thinking only about she will break the news to her father, when she stumbles upon a dying man in the forest. His back is full of black arrows, and he wears all green. He is a king's messenger--a Green Rider--and he pleads with her to take over his mission and get this message to the king. The message is of the utmost importance. 

Karigan takes on the charge--including the Rider's horse--and off she goes to meet her destiny. Though she has been training with the arms master at school (and has proven to be a quick study), she doesn't know much about true battle. A battle it will be, too. She's got all kinds of people after her, including he of the black arrows, determined to see her die before her message gets through to the king. She also discovers a few unique powers of her own that may tip the balance slightly more in her favor. She will need all the help she can get if she is to survive.

* * * * *
Karigan's switch from schoolgirl to Green Rider happened gradually enough to be believable. I mean obviously, some of it happened right away--she grabbed the messenger bag, jumped on the horse, and took off--but her thoughts and feelings about it took longer to settle.

It was fast-paced and exciting! There was always a new fight or challenge to win or race away from. She was saved in the nick of time enough to stretch credibility a bit, but hey--we were already suspending our disbelief, right?

After the breathless pace to deliver the message, the political intrigue at the castle added another layer to the story. Britain managed to tie the two together in a way that made it work, even with the plot slowing down quite a bit.

There were hints of a romance to come that I didn't like the looks of much. If she ends up with who I think she will, it said something like he was only 10 or 15 years older than her. She's 18. That's a huge age/maturity difference. If they were 45 and 60, okay fine. I'm going to be grumpy if I'm right. It was all just barely beginning, though, so I could be wrong. (I hope.)

Content: Violence--Karigan spends a good deal of the book fighting for her life. A near-rape, plus battle scenes. For older teens and adults.

(Finished reading Jan. 27)

The Cerulean's Secret, by Dennis Meredith

2 stars: I nearly stopped reading more than once, then picked it back up again. Maybe it was that cover!


Set in a not-so-distant future where a couple of big companies have made big money from genetically engineering mutant animals. The most common, of course, being the cogs and dats, but other stuff too, even unicorns and dragons. They make most of their money off of wealthy patrons eager for an exotic showpiece pet, private collectors, and those with commercial interests in the animals.

The most talked about creation so far is the Cerulean cat--a gorgeous animal with blue fur and golden eyes. Just as the cat is about to make its debut at a cat show, it is kidnapped.

Timothy Boatwright is a New York cabbie who is in the wrong place at the right time. Little knowing how his whole life is about to be upended, he picks up a nervous man carrying a large box. Though the ride is pretty much business as usual, Timothy catches a glimpse of a blue-furred tail poking out of the box just as the man leaves the cab.

Later it becomes clear that he is the only witness to the kidnapping suspect. However, when he goes to the police with his information, he immediately gets treated like a suspect himself. Before he quite knows what's happening, it's not safe to go home anymore, he's picked up a couple of allies (a cat lady named Callie with some mad skills--and her daughter Lulu), and he's racking up the people who want to kill him.

* * * * *
One of those stories where one thread becomes loose, but when that thread gets pulled, everything starts to unravel.

The author used an interesting plotting device, where the story started in the present, then about 2/3 was told in retrospect until we caught back up to the present. Then it finished out from there. I suppose it added a little suspense, but I don't think it was really necessary.

The story itself had plenty of twists and turns up until the very end. I guess that's what kept me picking it back up. To be honest, I'm not sure it was worth it.

Content: Violence, with plenty of accompanying blood and gore. Also, quite a bit language throughout. "Lovemaking" mentioned several times but not ever described. For adults.

** Get this for free on Kindle Unlimited--now that I've talked you into it! Ha!

(Finished reading Feb. 2)


* * * * *
Do you ever go through times where you just can't choose your next book?
It doesn't happen very often to me, and it is somewhat unsettling.

I know what would help--gardening! That always seems to help me sort out my thoughts.
Oh wait. There is still a foot of snow on the ground. Sigh....

Summer Read-Alouds So Far

The last few months have been packed, with not as much time to read out loud as I would like. A few of these are from the end of the school year, and some are from the last few weeks. One thing I love about summer is more time to read books out loud together!!

Dealing With Dragons, (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1),
by Patricia C. Wrede

4 stars: Light-hearted and feisty.

Princess Cimorene is tired of everybody telling her she can't do things--like learn to fence, or learn to cook, or take politics, or ... pretty much everything except curtseying, embroidery, and dancing. So she runs away and ends up in the cave of the dragon Kazul. Before she knows it, she is plenty busy--cooking dessert for dragon meetings, putting Kazul's horde in order, and fending off pesky knights.

When the king of the dragons is fatally poisoned, Cimorene and Kazul work together to figure out who could have done it and why.

* * * * * *

I have liked this series for a very long time, particularly this first book. So I started reading them to my daughter. The boys listen in when they're around, also. I wouldn't be surprised if my oldest picks this one up on the sly. :)

As I'm thinking back on it, this was probably one of the first fractured fairy tales I read--even though it doesn't follow any particular fairy tale, it takes all of the expected conventions and turns them on their heads--which is what makes it so enjoyable!

My daughter wanted to go on to the next one immediately after finishing this. Luckily our library had it checked in!

Searching for Dragons, (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #2),
by Patricia C. Wrede

4 stars: Adventure, humor, and a faulty flying carpet covered in pink teddy bears. Also, just a touch of romance.

Mendanbar, the King of the Enchanted Forest, has done his best to get out of social engagements and particularly any entanglements with princesses. So he is less than pleased when his urgent visit to the King of the Dragons, Kazul, lands him talking to a princess instead. Although, she is different than any princess he has encountered so far.

You see, a large patch of the Enchanted Forest has died off--been entirely sucked clean of magic and life. He found some dragon scales at the site. Unfortunately, King Kazul is missing. Princess Cimorene was about to go looking for her, when Mendanbar happened to show up. For various reasons, they decide this is a search that should be undertaken together, starting with a visit to the giantess Ballimore and her husband.

They will get mixed up with all sorts before they get to the bottom of it all....and possibly fall in love.

* * * * *
Told from Mendanbar's perspective, but with all of our favorite characters from the first book back again. We got a kick out of the various fairy tale characters that made their way into this one, from the giants, to Herman the gold-spinning dwarf with a houseful of children to look after. Telemain the magician was pretty funny, too.

My daughter was so happy with the romantic ending! She was completely surprised by it, though I saw it coming a long way off. :)

Soon after finishing this one, we got it on audio and loved it! There was a full cast, and the various characters did accents that I couldn't quite manage.



The Saturdays, (The Melendy Quartet),
by Elizabeth Enright

3 stars: Comfortable storytelling, with a few dramatic twists and turns.

Four siblings living in NYC decide to pool their allowances for each one to get a special Saturday doing what they want to do. Mona, the oldest, aspires to be an actress, Rush wants to be a concert pianist, Ran dances and paints, and the youngest--Oliver--just wants to be involved. Each of their Saturdays takes them to unexpected places and they come home to share with their siblings.

* * * * *
This was a little slow for me, but my kids really liked it. It was obviously written in a more innocent era. These kids, the oldest is 13, go by themselves out into the city for their special days, long blocks and bus rides away.

I think my kids enjoyed the idea of having so much independence, and also seeing what happened as a result of the experiment. They also really liked Isaac, the dog.

The Four-Story Mistake, (The Melendy Quartet),
by Elizabeth Enright

4 stars: Drama and fun as the Melendys move to the country.

Mona, Rush, Ran, and Oliver are back (with Cuffy, Willy Sloper, and Father, of course.) The Melendy's have had to move out of the big city, to a house in the country called The Four-Story Mistake. It's hard to leave everything they are familiar with and love, but they soon find new delights. For one thing, there's the creek out back of the house: a frozen waterway ready for exploring in the winter, and full of caddis houses, fish, and other life in the summer. There's the cupola up top of the house, and even a secret room!

It is a year full of growth, secrets, friendship, and fun, as the Melendy's make friends in town and have adventures at home.

* * * * * *

As with the first book, this one was a bit on the slower side for read-alouds. Not that that's a bad thing, necessarily. It had longer chapters, with a picture maybe once a chapter. We would read 1 or 2 chapters in one sitting.

Even with the slower pace, it's one where I think the kids either wish it were them living it, or at least that the Melendy's could be their friends in real life. I liked this one better than the first, actually. There were a couple of parts that made all 3 kids break out laughing.

The adventures are on the ordinary side--no magic--but very believable; from Oliver's discovery of the cellar, to Ran's crazy bike ride into town, it's all stuff that could happen. The adults are mostly hands-off, but they come to the rescue when needed.

McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm: Three Tall Tales,
by Sid Fleischman

5 stars: Witty, funny, and memorable. Also, short!

Josh McBroom, his dear wife Melissa, and his 11 redheaded young'uns, pack up to go West after many years of struggling along on their farm. Along the way they meet a shyster who sells them an 80-acre farm for a pittance. Turns out, the farm is 80 acres stacked on top of each other, at the bottom of a muddy 1-acre pond.

Well, the pond dries up, and when it does, the McBroom family discovers the most marvelously rich soil in all the land! Entire crops can be planted and harvested within a couple of hours. Even spare change has a way of growing, if left in the dirt by a careless youngster.

That doesn't mean that McBroom and his family have everything easy, though. No sir! They have the prairie wind to deal with, and grasshoppers, and the man who sold them the farm wanting it back. With ingenuity, perseverance, and nothing but the whole, unvarnished truth (wink wink) they will prevail!

* * * * * *

This was so great! Filled with unforgettable images, like the wind shoes and a giant ear of corn turning into popcorn. Quick and easy read, with short chapters told in a dialogue format. Josh himself tells the stories, and he would rather sleep in a tree than stretch the truth.

The most fun part as the reader was the frequent recitation of all 11 children's names (said as fast as possible, of course!) "WilljillhesterchesterpeterpollytimtommarylarryandlittleClarinda!"

I have to admit that part made me smile every time, partly because I am from a family of 11, and if I had a quarter for every time someone asked me to say all the names, I would be richer than McBroom! To this day I can rattle them off in 3 seconds flat. So this was right up my alley!

Bonus: I have taken to calling my children "my lambs" and they answer (with minimal eye-rolling)! Yes!


* * * * * * * * * *

I'm so excited for all the fun books to read together this summer! I have a long list of choices, and I'm hoping we'll make it through most of it.

What are you reading to your kids this summer?