The Mysterious Benedict Society Part II
I really like the characters in this book. They each have a unique personality. Constance lives at the public library. Kate and Sticky are stowaways on trains and boats. Reynie lives at an orphanage. So what do runaways and orphans have in common? They all answered the newspaper ad to take a special test. I love the tests they have to take. They are true puzzles and each character uses a different technique to solve the puzzle. Mr. Benedict and his crew have them find their way through obstacle courses and secret rooms, too.
Fearless Kate, Timid Sticky, Cranky Constance and Thoughtful Reynie are told they are “the only hope.” What is their “dangerous mission?” You’ll have to read to page 100 to find out. It’s really creepy, too. Like someone you can’t see whispering in your ear at night when you are in bed. And to keep the story going… kidnappers are after the kids. Thank goodness they have the secret rooms to hide in.
Mrs. Neddo
Book Reviews, Good Reads, Grade 3-5, New Books | Comments (2)The Mysterious Benedict Society
I just started this new book and with 485 pages… I am thinking this one might take me ’til next week at least. I am excited though. It’s reminding me of the Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket series with a touch of the Blue Balliett’s art mysteries. Have you read The Mysterious Benedict Society? Click on the comment line below and drop me a note.
Mrs. Neddo
Book Reviews, Good Reads, New Books | Comment (1)Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat-Part III
Well, that was a great combination of magical fantasy and a good mystery. I loved all the dark, rainy nights Emmy and her friends spied in windows, hid behind dressers, eavesdropped in stairwells, and snuck out at night to rendezvous with rodents against the evil Professor Vole. And the Rat is so funny! He always has a quick smart remark that will have you laughing. He is so full of himself! Also, I forgot to mention that the Shrinking Rat is the Shrinking Rat of Schenectady! I was so surprised to see Schenectady mentioned. I highly recommend this for grades 3 and up.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Interview
Jeff Kinney, the author of the Wimpy Kid series, was just interviewed by NPR about the new Rodrick Rules. Yes, my son groans in the car when I listen to NPR, and maybe you do too… but this was a good interview. Only seven minutes. Jeff Kinney tells how he came up with his story and what’s next for Greg in Book 3, 4, and 5. Jeff Kinney originally wrote this series for adults! Whoa! Check it out!
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat-Part II
I am about half way through the book in one night! I love it, love it! It reminds me of Roald Dahl’s Matilda with all the magic and sinister characters plotting against an innocent young girl. When I got to the Pawball (soccer for rodents) tournament I couldn’t help but think of The Mouse and the Motorcycle and Runaway Ralph.
I can’t give away too much- the plot and action is interconnected from one surprise to the next. I love figuring out the mysterious happenings. For instance, how the rat’s bite changes the humans and their search for a cure at a creepy shop owned by Professor Vole. He is a totally creepy guy that actually hunts down Emmy and the Rat at school and later tries to trap them at his shop, The Antique Rat. Or why the sinister nanny, Miss Barmy has Emmy visiting a silly school psychologist every two weeks. What’s with that?! Thanks to help from Emmy’s new friend, Joe, and the Rat I just figured out how Miss Barmy is keeping her parents away on vacation so long! Revenge against Miss Barmy is so sweet thanks to the potions at the creepy Antique Rat shop. Thank goodness it’s a snow day. I can’t wait to finish this one! Ta-ta for now!
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat
I have just started this new book by Lynne Jonell. It got rave reviews and so I ordered it. When it arrived I wondered about the cover. Would it help or hinder a person looking for a new book to read. Some call it a classic. What do you think? Don’t forget you can share your two cents with the comment button below.
When I first opened the book, I flipped the pages looking to see how many pages there were. Hmmm…. 346. Then I noticed something moving on the pages. At the top of each page is a border of a tree from which the rat falls as you flip with your thumb from front to back. This is a cool feature by illustrator, Jonathan Bean.
Here’s the book jacket blurb…
“Emmy was a good girl. At least she tried very hard to be good. She did her homework without being told. She ate all her vegetables, even the slimy ones. And she never talked back to her nanny, Miss Barmy, although it was almost impossbile to keep quiet, some days. She really was a little too good. Which is why she liked to sit by the Rat. The Rat was not good at all…”