111. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6). J.K. Rowling. 2005. 652 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

First sentence: It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind.

ETA: This is my third time to read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I am listening on audio narrated by Stephen Fry. I am loving the audio narration. I am loving revisiting the story.

Premise/plot: Harry Potter (and company) face their biggest challenges yet. Lord Voldemort's return/resurrection is no longer being ignored by the powers that be. Harry Potter (and company) are no longer being ridiculed for spouting 'nonsense' about Voldemort. The threat is acknowledged. Some precautions are being taken. (But are they ever going to be enough?)

This one does take place mostly at Hogwarts. Harry Potter (and company) are doing their best to prepare for inevitable showdowns. Harry is taking special lessons with Professor Dumbledore. They are 'visiting' Voldemort's past memories. They are preparing for the 'war to come' by learning as much as they possibly can about every moment of his life. Looking for anything and everything they can use against him. 

This one has quite the ending. It is SUPER intense. More intense than any of the other novels. 

My thoughts: Yes, it's taken me ABSOLUTELY forever to start this series. I'm glad I waited this long to be honest. Harry Potter has fallen out of favor, these days, is being canceled--this time by the Left. But that is neither here nor there. (That's not why I'm reading the books now. That's not my motivation). I'm glad I waited so that I could read all the books back-to-back-to-back. No waiting. And since it was impossible to avoid spoilers there in early-to-mid 2000s, I know just enough about the characters.  My thoughts PART TWO: I am rereading the whole series. My initial thought was to read July through December, but, I am zooming through some of these books. So I think I'll finish the series in November instead. The ending of this one is outstanding. I can only imagine the experience for those who started the series back in 97 or 98 and waited between books. I am liking the series more the second time around. Perhaps because I know the characters better and have a more grounded reaction.


© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

92. Uglies

Uglies. Scott Westerfeld. 2005. 425 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [YA dystopia, YA fiction, YA speculative fiction]

First sentence: The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit.

My thoughts (preview): I first read this one the year it released. It was LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I thought it was fabulous. I reread it as an audio book in 2018 and hated the narrator. I didn't blame the book, just the narrator for throwing me out of the story. Now that there is a movie adaptation, I was curious to revisit the book. 

From the original review in 2007 for my blog: 

I have nothing but good memories surrounding Uglies. My first introduction to Miss Tally Youngblood, trickster fifteen year old, was in the fall of 2005. From the early summer sky was the color of cat vomit to I'm Tally Youngblood...make me pretty, I was hooked. So much so that I went out to buy my own copy of the book the very next morning.  

From the original non-blog review in 2005:

Set three to four hundred years in the future, Uglies, a dystopia, focuses on a global community of pretty people. Tally Youngblood introduces readers to this picture-perfect community where appearances are not a matter of one's genes but a matter of extensive plastic surgeries planned by the Community of Morphological Standardss. Tally and Shay are best friends awaiting their sixteenth birthdays and their surgeries after which they'll leave Uglyville behind and join the New Pretties. But Shay doubts that the "Pretty Committee" is as concerned with equality and justice as it appears, suspecting that ulterior motives may lay behind the surface. Days before her sixteenth birthday, Shay runs away leaving a cryptic message for her friend to find the way to Smoke, the rebel community of "ugly" outsiders. When the authorities discover Shay's disappearance, Tally is asked to make the hardest decision of her life: betray Shay and the rebel community to the authorities or face living life ugly.

Uglies is a fast-paced novel taking a typical YA topic--self esteem, conformity, and the perception of beauty--and treating it in a new and ultimately satisfying way by speculating about where current values of beauty and perfection might lead us as a society if taken to the extreme. By setting Uglies in the future instead of a contemporary high school, Westerfeld is able to provide reflection and commentary on a serious topic in a new and original way.

My thoughts: The book is decidedly better than the movie--no surprise. Though I will admit that possibly movie-Shay is better than book-Shay. I don't know if I found book-Shay super-incredibly annoying the first time around, but in this recent reread and in the audio book reread, I found her almost insufferable. The plot is DIFFERENT. I haven't decided which changes were for the best and which weren't. Some things do seem to make better sense. But mostly it just felt rushed and like there wasn't much depth or substance. I also think that it might make for a better animated adaptation. It was hard for the concept of "pretties" and "uglies" to come across since this everyone is already glam. 

I definitely don't love-love-love it the same way all these years later. 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

87. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6). J.K. Rowling. 2005. 652 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

First sentence: It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind.

Premise/plot: Harry Potter (and company) face their biggest challenges yet. Lord Voldemort's return/resurrection is no longer being ignored by the powers that be. Harry Potter (and company) are no longer being ridiculed for spouting 'nonsense' about Voldemort. The threat is acknowledged. Some precautions are being taken. (But are they ever going to be enough?)

This one does take place mostly at Hogwarts. Harry Potter (and company) are doing their best to prepare for inevitable showdowns. Harry is taking special lessons with Professor Dumbledore. They are 'visiting' Voldemort's past memories. They are preparing for the 'war to come' by learning as much as they possibly can about every moment of his life. Looking for anything and everything they can use against him. 

This one has quite the ending. It is SUPER intense. More intense than any of the other novels. 

My thoughts: Yes, it's taken me ABSOLUTELY forever to start this series. I'm glad I waited this long to be honest. Harry Potter has fallen out of favor, these days, is being canceled--this time by the Left. But that is neither here nor there. (That's not why I'm reading the books now. That's not my motivation). I'm glad I waited so that I could read all the books back-to-back-to-back. No waiting. And since it was impossible to avoid spoilers there in early-to-mid 2000s, I know just enough about the characters.

 My thoughts PART TWO: I am rereading the whole series. My initial thought was to read July through December, but, I am zooming through some of these books. So I think I'll finish the series in November instead. The ending of this one is outstanding. I can only imagine the experience for those who started the series back in 97 or 98 and waited between books. I am liking the series more the second time around. Perhaps because I know the characters better and have a more grounded reaction.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

139. Utterly Me, Clarice Bean

Utterly Me, Clarice Bean. Lauren Child. 2005. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [illustrated chapter book]

First sentence: n/a

Premise/plot: Clarice Bean HATES school and hates her teacher. (It seems mutual. The teacher is depicted as unprofessionally mean. Of course, that could be Clarice Bean's perspective.) In this series book, Clarice Bean has to team up with a classmate (or two) and do a project (oral report? class presentation?) on a book. They have to choose a book that they've learned something from. The teacher is angry (angry enough to send to the principal) that Clarice wants to choose a fiction book and a mystery at that. Clarice LOVES the Ruby Redfort mystery series. (As do a few of her friends). But can these students find a way to prove that they've "learned something" from a mystery novel?

My thoughts: My library doesn't have many in this series. And they do not have the first book. This bothers me starting books in the middle of a series. I felt Clarice Bean was stream of consciousness of an ADHD kid. The way the story unfolds is just a bit all over the place. I think one thing that made this one a little odd--and I don't know if it's just this one book in the series or the whole series--is that the NOVEL Clarice is reading--the mystery novel starring Ruby Redfort--gets almost as many pages as the actual Clarice Bean novel. I would describe the book as a little jumpy/jittery. I didn't dislike it, but I almost don't know what to do with it. I feel like to make sense of it I would almost need to read the other books to see a fuller picture of Clarice Bean's world. 

I do wish I'd written down the first sentence. I'm so used to books having previews available that I hardly write down sentences.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

76. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6). J.K. Rowling. 2005. 652 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind.

Premise/plot: Harry Potter (and company) face their biggest challenges yet. Lord Voldemort's return/resurrection is no longer being ignored by the powers that be. Harry Potter (and company) are no longer being ridiculed for spouting 'nonsense' about Voldemort. The threat is acknowledged. Some precautions are being taken. (But are they ever going to be enough?)

This one does take place mostly at Hogwarts. Harry Potter (and company) are doing their best to prepare for inevitable showdowns. Harry is taking special lessons with Professor Dumbledore. They are 'visiting' Voldemort's past memories. They are preparing for the 'war to come' by learning as much as they possibly can about every moment of his life. Looking for anything and everything they can use against him. 

This one has quite the ending. It is SUPER intense. More intense than any of the other novels. 

My thoughts: Yes, it's taken me ABSOLUTELY forever to start this series. I'm glad I waited this long to be honest. Harry Potter has fallen out of favor, these days, is being canceled--this time by the Left. But that is neither here nor there. (That's not why I'm reading the books now. That's not my motivation). I'm glad I waited so that I could read all the books back-to-back-to-back. No waiting. And since it was impossible to avoid spoilers there in early-to-mid 2000s, I know just enough about the characters.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

81. The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief. Rick Riordan. 2005. 377 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look I didn't want to be a half-blood. If you're reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: close this book right now. Believe whatever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth, and try to lead a normal life. Being a half-blood is dangerous. It's scary. Most of the time, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways. If you're a normal kid, reading this because you think it's fiction, great. Read on. I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened. But if you recognize yourself in these pages--if you feel something stirring inside--stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it's only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they'll come for you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Premise/plot: Percy Jackson, our hero, is about to be thrown into quite the adventure. It will be quite the fight for survival. Though he doesn't know it at the start, he's a half-blood. His mother is mortal and his father is a god, one of the big three gods, POSEIDON. And well, his very existence is upsetting the order of things. (You see, the big three had a pact that they would not have any more children with mortals. Things get messy when they did.) Soon after the novel opens, he finds himself at camp with others like himself--other halfbloods. He'll be making some great friends--like Grover and Annabeth. Camp may be interesting, but, not nearly as interesting as the quest he's soon given. Percy and his friends have quite an undertaking before them...an undertaking that may even take them to the underworld....and hopefully back again. 

My thoughts: I would have thought I'd have so many reviews of this up on my blog. I guess I haven't reread it nearly as much as I thought I had. That being said, it was so familiar. Each chapter was like an old friend. I have vivid memories of a handful of scenes (like the casino, for example). I also remembered *who* at camp was going to end up fulfilling a certain prophecy that the oracle gave Percy. So a few of the twists and turns and surprises were no longer twisty-turny. But that's a small sacrifice to make for revisiting with such good friends.

I don't think I've reread the others nearly as much. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Still Life (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1)

Still Life. (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1) Louise Penny. 2005. 293 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Miss Jane Neal met her maker in the early morning mist of Thanksgiving Sunday.

Premise/plot: Still Life by Louise Penny is the first in a mystery series starring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec. The mystery itself is set in the super tiny village of Three Pines. Readers get to know many villagers quite well—Peter and Clara, Olivier and Gabri, Ruth, Myrna, the Crofts, Ben Hadley, etc. Gamache does not work alone either, other detectives are also on the case. Can they find the murderer in time?!

My thoughts: The writing is fabulous, absolutely fabulous!!! I think the fact that all the characters—no matter how major or minor—are so well drawn is what has me hooked and a bit amazed. I love character driven novels but mystery novels often aren’t with the exception of the main character and main sidekick.

’Life is change. If you aren’t growing and evolving you’re standing still, and the rest of the world is surging ahead. Most of these people are very immature. They lead “still” lives, waiting.’
‘Waiting for what?’
‘Waiting for someone to save them. Expecting someone to save them or at least protect them from the big, bad world. The thing is no one else can save them because the problem is theirs and so is the solution. Only they can get out of it.’

At what point does change happen? Sometimes it’s sudden. The ‘ah ha’ moments in our lives, when we suddenly see. But often it’s a gradual change, an evolution.

’There’s no easel, no paints. There’s no studio. Where’d she do her art?’
‘How about the basement?’
‘Sure, go down and check, but I can guarantee you an artist isn’t going to paint in a windowless basement.’ Though, come to think of it, Jane Neal’s work did look like it’d been done in. The dark.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Marie, Dancing

Marie, Dancing. Carolyn Meyer. 2005. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 272 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: "You," said the man wearing blue-tinted eyeglasses. 

Premise/plot: Edgar Degas is known for his paintings of dancers. But he is also known, of course, for his sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. Marie, Dancing is a fictional account of that fourteen-year-old dancer, Marie van Goethem. The novel opens in 1878 with Degas inviting the young girl to model for him. It follows her through several years--even when she is no longer dancing.

Marie is the middle daughter. She has an older sister, Antoinette, and a younger sister, Charlotte. All three are ballet dancers. Dancing alone would never bring home enough money to pay the rent and buy food. That's one reason their aunt disapproves of the way her sister is raising the girls. (Another reason is that the mom is a drunk who takes what little money they have to drink.) Marie and Charlotte are almost always on the hungry side. Antoinette has started looking for men willing to pay for her company. So she'll come home with extra money, jewelry, and clothes. She's a vain girl; the more attention she receives from men the less attention she gives to her sisters and her dancing. Marie uses the money she gets from modeling to support her family. The modeling does not last long--at least through the eyes of Marie herself. She misses the money when it's gone. It took years for the sculpture to get finished and be ready for exhibition. (1881)

My thoughts: Marie, Dancing is set in Paris, France, during the late nineteenth century. It stars a few historical figures--Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt. Marie van Goethem was a real girl; the novel has its basis in truth. But the novel is definitely fictional!

Carolyn Meyer is one of my favorite historical writers. I definitely enjoyed this one! I loved, loved, loved the setting. Although the novel could make one hungry....if one is prone to really getting immersed in a novel. I loved the sprinkling of French throughout the novel. I found that aspect delightful.

I thought the characterization was wonderful. I really loved Marie and Charlotte. I loved Marie's friendship with Jean-Pierre. I was really hoping these two would have a happy ending. (I was disappointed.)


© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

In Like Flynn

In Like Flynn. (Molly Murphy #4) Rhys Bowen. 2005. 352 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: "Spring? Was there any spring this year?" the man in the jaunty brown derby asked.

Premise/plot: Daniel Sullivan has a job for Miss Molly Murphy. He wants her to go undercover at Senator Barney Flynn's house posing as a cousin. Theresa, Barney's wife, is convinced that the Sorensen Sisters--spiritualists--can contact her dead son. Senator Flynn is skeptical--at best. Captain Sullivan suspects that the sisters are fakes, scammers. Though no one has asked her to pursue the matter, Molly takes it upon herself to see if she can solve the crime as well. The son was kidnapped and is now presumed dead. The ransom note said that he was buried alive--they had a limited amount of time to pay up. The "kidnapper" was shot by police before he revealed the location of the son. But will that task prove deadly? Is the mastermind behind that murder still hanging around?

My thoughts: I really didn't care for the third book in the series. I didn't. But I am glad I read this fourth book! I didn't love, love, love it. But I really enjoyed it. I found it a quick and entertaining read as opposed to a sluggish, frustrating one. Things seem a bit closer to a resolution in terms of Molly's love life. I don't know if I could handle a love triangle that goes on for half a series.

© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083

Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083. Andrea White. 2005. 448 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence (from the Prologue): What chance did Stephen Michael have of winning his Toss? In the year 2080 there were so many fourteen-year-old kids and so few scholarships. And if he lost--he hated to think about his choices then. Sweat poured down Steve's face as he stared at the poster on the wall in front of him: WELCOME TO THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDU-DICE TOSS, SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTERTAINMENT.

Premise/plot: For readers who love both historical fiction and science fiction, have I got a book for you. Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 is set in the future--a bleak future where the department of education has been replaced with the department of entertainment. Schools are no more, every child is "taught" by the television. Most of the time these "educational programs" are reality TV shows starring adults. But there's something new in the works--a reality TV show--history-based--starring children. The producers are looking to recreate the Antarctic mission of Robert Scott in 1912.

Andrew Morton, Polly Pritchard, Robert Johnson, Billy Kanalski, Grace Untoka--these are the "lucky" kids who've won the opportunity to win big--really BIG. Of course this opportunity for a better future comes at a price--a mostly hidden price. They will be risking their lives; the producers--the powers that be--only care about ratings and not their well-being...

My thoughts: I first read and reviewed this one in October 2006--my very first year of blogging. I loved, loved, loved it. I've been meaning to reread it for ages now. So when I spotted a discarded library copy I knew I had to have it. (Part of me was sad that it would no longer be at the public library--it's a GREAT BOOK. The other part of me was happy because now it would be MINE forever and ever.) I was not disappointed with my reread. It had just been long enough that I was fuzzy on the details. So it was almost like rediscovering the book for the first time.

This one is premise-driven, I won't lie. But the characterization is surprisingly strong for a premise-or-plot-driven action/adventure novel. I cared about all of the characters.

Original audience born circa 1990 to 1995.



© 2019 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Pretties

Pretties. (Uglies #2) Scott Westerfeld. 2005. Simon & Schuster. 370 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Getting dressed was always the hardest part of the afternoon.

Premise/plot: Pretties is the second book in Scott Westerfeld's futuristic dystopian series. In the first book, Uglies, Tally, our heroine, decides to become PRETTY so that she can be the guinea pig for the cure for the brain lesions. She wrote herself a note explaining everything--or almost everything. But what she didn't take into account was how being pretty would change your thinking and reasoning ability. Instead of taking the two-pill cure herself Tally decided to split the cure with her new friend, Zane. She took one pill; he took the other. Now they are awaiting the results. Will they be cured of their pretty-thinking? Will they stay bubbly all the time? Is it time for the PRETTIES to revolt against the system?

My thoughts: This is a reread. I believe this is the third time I've read it and the second time I've blogged a review. I do like Tally Youngblood. She's flawed but believably so in my opinion. If the series has a flaw--emphasis on if--it's the LOVE TRIANGLE aspect of it that some readers might be annoyed by. The first book was all David. This second book is all Zane. One she loved as an ugly. The other she loves as a pretty. She's endured a lot of hard circumstances with both--situations that draw you close to someone.

I listened to UGLIES on audio a few weeks ago. It was such a relief to read PRETTIES. Shay is much less annoying in print. 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Penderwicks

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy. Jeanne Birdsall. 2005. Random House. 262 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: For a long time after that summer, the four Penderwick sisters still talked of Arundel. Fate drove us there, Jane would say. No, it was the greedy landlord who sold our vacation house on Cape Cod, someone else would say, probably Skye. Who knew which was right?

Premise/plot: Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty are the four Penderwick sisters. They along with their widower father have come to stay in a small cottage for the summer. The cottage is part of a larger estate--Arundel. They become friends with the gardener, the two pet rabbits, the housekeeper, and perhaps most importantly with Jeffrey, the SON. But with Mrs. Tifton they cannot--will not--make friends. Or rather, she despises them.

Jeffrey becomes part of their family even if they don't become a part of his. They have marvelous adventures and misadventures together during their summer vacation. But. Of course it is a vacation. And it's just a matter of time for all of them. Jeffrey doesn't want the end to come any more than they do. Even more so really since he might have to go to military school.

This novel celebrates being yourself and finding people who like you for being you. It also celebrates the ups and downs of FAMILY.

My thoughts: I liked this one very much when I first read it. But upon second reading, I think I really love it. It has an old-fashioned, feel-good quality about it.


© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

What Does Bunny See?

What Does Bunny See? A Book of Colors and Flowers. Linda Sue Park. Illustrated by Maggie Smith. 2005. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: In a cottage garden flowers in their beds Bunny hopping down the path what she sees is--red! Blushing scarlet poppies bloom just above her head. In a cottage garden past the pussy willow Bunny nibbles tender shoots what she sees is--

Premise/plot: This picture book newly reprinted in paperback format is a concept book teaching colors and flowers. It is also a fun way to celebrate spring with little ones.

My thoughts: When I received this one in the mail, I was skeptical. I knew Linda Sue Park was a good author. I've read a few of her novels. But every year there are paperback books published celebrating spring or Easter or the like with text that is mostly, always forgettable. But I ended up LOVING this one. Yes, I used the word love.

I enjoyed the illustrations most of all. I absolutely LOVE the illustrations by Maggie Smith. The text itself is pleasant and enjoyable. It's a rhyming book, a predictable book, a repetitive book. Except for the last spread, each one begins "In a cottage garden...."

Text: 3.5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4.5 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Among the Enemy

Among the Enemy. (Shadow Children #6) Margaret Peterson Haddix. 2005. 240 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Matthias was sound asleep when the Population Police arrived at Niedler School.

Premise/plot: Among the Enemy is the sixth book in Margaret Peterson Haddix' Shadow Children series. Haddix rarely has the same narrator twice in this series. The narrator of this one is Matthias. (We've met him before in book three, Among the Betrayed.) He's still protective of Percy and Alia so when all three are taken into custody by the Population Police--along with all the other students--he feels responsible for anything and everything that goes wrong in their attempt to escape. He feels he must do something to help--if not Percy and Alia--then ALL the other shadow children whose lives are being threatened every day by the enemy. How can he best help them? Ultimately by going among them--becoming one of them, learning their plans, passing along information to the rebels.

My thoughts: Matthias is a complex character. I loved him. I did. I think he's one of my favorite characters in the series. I love his sensitivity, his thoughtfulness, his bravery. I love how quick-paced Haddix's novels are as well. I'm so glad I decided to reread this series.
© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Espresso Tales

Espresso Tales (44 Scotland Street #2) Alexander McCall Smith. 2005. 345 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was summer. The forward movement of the year, so tentative in the early months of spring, now seemed quite relentless.

Premise/plot: Espresso Tales is the sequel to 44 Scotland Street. This novel was originally published serially in The Scotsman. One chapter per day. Imagine a soap opera in print with more wit than skin. I really enjoyed revisiting the characters. Most of the characters--though not all--were first introduced in 44 Scotland Street. There are some new characters introduced in this one.

My thoughts: One of the highlights for me is the character of Bertie. Bertie is being forced by his mother to do many things: saxophone lessons, Italian lessons, therapy sessions, etc. His mother has painted his room pink and insisted that he like it. She also makes him wear "crushed strawberry" colored dungarees. One of the funniest incidences in the book is when Tofu (a boy with vegan parents) offers to trade with Bertie. He really, really, really wants a hot dog. He's really to exchange his jeans for Bertie's awful dungarees. Of course, Bertie accepts that deal. But OH THE SCENE when Irene (his mother) finds out. Readers see a lot more of Bertie's father, Stuart, in this one. In another great scene, we see him put into practice his assertiveness training.

But there are so many characters in this one. I also love Domenica. Here's one of my favorite quotes.

"And what is wrong with being judgmental?" Domenica asked indignantly. "It drives me mad to hear people say: 'Don't be judgmental.' That's moral philosophy at the level of an Australian soap opera. If people weren't judgmental, how could we possibly have a moral viewpoint in society? We wouldn't have the first clue where we were. All rational discourse about what we should do would grind to a halt. No, whatever you do, don't fall for that weak-minded nonsense about not being judgmental. Don't be excessively judgmental, if you like, but always--always--be prepared to make a judgment. Otherwise you'll go through life not really knowing what you mean.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

44 Scotland Street

44 Scotland Street. Alexander McCall Smith. 2005. 325 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Pat stood before the door at the bottom of the stair, reading the names underneath the buttons.

Premise/plot: 44 Scotland Street is a fictional serial set in Edinburgh, Scotland. Most of the characters live, you guessed it, at 44 Scotland Street in an apartment building. Most of the characters--though not all, by any means--are neighbors. (Other characters are connected through jobs or other common interests.)

The character readers meet first is Pat. She's a college-aged student having her second "gap year." She's recently become employed at an art gallery. Her boss is Matthew. Her new roommate is Bruce. Pat becomes very good friends with her neighbor, a widow, Domenica. The most entertaining characters, however, may be Irene, Stuart, and their child, Bertie. Entertaining, however, might not be the best word. Poor Bertie!

My thoughts: Does anything much happen in this serialized novel? Not really. Sure, there's a bit of a misunderstanding about a painting at the gallery. And this misunderstanding moves the plot forward a bit--in awkward and sometimes charming ways. But more than anything it's about the ordinary moments lived by ordinary people. The writing is engaging enough, but, not in your face LITERARY PROSE. I had three favorite characters: Angus Lordie, Domenica, and Bertie.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Elephants Can Paint Too

Elephants Can Paint Too. Katya Arnold. 2005. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: I teach in two schools. One is in the city. The other is in the jungle. Some of my students have hands. Others have trunks. Some students eat grass. Others eat peanut butter and jelly. But they all love cookies.

Premise/plot: Elephants Can Paint Too is a WONDERFUL nonfiction picture book. There is a simple, straightforward text that would be more than suitable for sharing with the youngest of readers. Yet, there's additional text that is just PACKED with fascinating details. I haven't yet decided how to perfectly blend the two when reading aloud. The facts can disrupt the narrative flow, something you probably don't want to do when reading to the youngest listeners, but yet the facts are truly something.

For example,

The elephant's truck is both a hand a nose. Not only can a trunk pick things up, it can smell, snore, trumpet, purr, drink, and spray. Elephants also use their trunks to communicate in a kind of sign language. A young elephant sucks its trunk the way babies suck their thumbs.

Elephants have 150,000 muscles in their trunks. (Our entire body has only 639 muscles.) Some elephants hold the brush by wrapping their trunks around it. Others hold it inside their trunks. If an elephant throws the brush away or eats it, he probably won't become an artist.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, LOVE this one. It's filled with I-didn't-know-that facts. It's engaging and compelling--both text and photographs do a GREAT job telling a compelling story. (I love the photograph of the elephant eating a cookie!!!) I love the comparing and contrasting. It's just a delightful book from start to finish.

Text: 5 out of 5
Photographs: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10



© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Big Sister, Little Sister

Big Sister, Little Sister. LeUyen Pham. 2005. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: In this family, we have two sisters. She's the Big Sister. I'm the Little Sister. The Big Sister usually does things first. I'm the Little Sister. I'm always catching up.

Premise/plot: Who has it better? The Big Sister or the Little Sister?! Pham celebrates both roles really well, in my opinion. (I'm a LITTLE sister). I could see myself--and my sister--in this one.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, LOVE this one. I was very happy for the chance to read it again. I love the writing. I love the narrative. The Little Sister has such a distinct voice and vibrant personality.

The Big Sister is very neat. I'm the Little Sister. I'm not.

The Big Sister gets to stay up later and watch TV. I'm the Little Sister. I go to bed at 7:30. Sometimes.

The Big Sister isn't afraid of the dark. I'm the Little Sister. Help!

I also love, love, love the illustrations.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10



© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Quinito's Neighborhood

Quinoto's Neighborhood/El Vecindario de Quinito. Ina Cumpiano. Illustrated by Jose Ramirez. 2005/2009. 24 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: My mami is a carpenter. My papi is a nurse. Mi mami es carpintera. Mi papi es enfermero.

Premise/plot: Remember the song, "Who Are The People in Your Neighborhood?" This picture book is a bilingual answer to that question. It is written in English and Spanish and is set in a colorfully diverse neighborhood. Readers meet not just his immediate and extended family, but the people that he meets each day.

Mrs. Hernandez sells Rafi's bread at her bodega, too. And her daughter, Sonia Isabel, counts the money in the bank on the corner. Guillermo is our mailman. Guillermo is going to marry Sonia Isabel.

My thoughts: I like this one. I can't say it makes much of a story--more of a friendly conversation. But the illustrations are wonderful. Perhaps with one exception!!! I could have done without the clowns!!! (Why did his grown-up cousin Tita have to go to clown school?!?!)

Text: 3.5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4.5 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10



© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Wolf's Story

Wolf's Story. Toby Forward. Illustrated by Izhar Cohen. 2005. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: No, please. Look at me. Would I lie to you? It was the old woman who started it. I did nothing wrong. Would I? We hit it off from the beginning. Not everyone likes a wolf, do they? Look at you. You're not certain. Would you like to come and sit a little closer while I tell you about the kid? I don't bite. No? Sure? Okay. Up to you.

Premise/plot: The wolf from Little Red Riding Hood is sharing HIS side of the story with you, the reader. Will you believe his story? Is it convincing? Or is there still reasonable doubt?!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I'm not sure if it's "really really liked" or "loved." But I though the narrative was strong. I loved the wolf's voice. His perspective was fun to see. We get this perspective both from the art--the illustrations--and the text itself. I loved how conversational it was. The Wolf was trying his best to charm the reader. Now, is this charming story the whole truth, the real story? Or is he trying to con readers for his own purposes? That's up to the reader to decide HOW close they want to get to the wolf as he tells his story.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews