Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion

Beyonders Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull


Carlye's Review:

This book is the second in the series.  I read the first one, too, and really liked it. Jason needs to find a way back to Lyrian to share precious information with the friends he left behind or they're in serious danger of being killed. The ''secret word'' to destroy the evil wizard Maldor is a fake and his friends are in danger.  I won't tell you the rest of the story, but I loved it.  My favorite character is Rachel, a girl just like Jason who was sucked into Lyrian while visiting Arches National Park and chasing a butterfly.  I definitely think people should read both of these books.

I Survived The San Francisco Earthquake 1906

Nathanael's Review:

I liked it because it was about two boys who were friends, one boy who's grandfather and dad had died and they passed down a gold nugget they had found during the gold rush.  It was the boys nugget, and two big boys robbed him and took it from him, and later on an earthquake happened when they were sneaking in to try to get their gold back.  One of the bullies got out, but the other didn't.  Both of the friends got out.  He finally got his piece of gold back.  It was a good book.  I think Marcus would like this book.  It was very easy to read.

Stay tuned!

Carlye, Nathanael and Noah have all been devouring books this summer, and are excited about beginning to update this blog!  As many of you know, I will be homeschooling Carlye this fall, so this will be one of her daily activities.  So stay tuned, you might hear of a new book for you or someone you love!

NERDS

NERDS: National Rescue, Espionage and Defense Society
by Michael Buckley
306 pages

Mom's Review - This book was recommended to us by someone I trust, so while I am reading it right now I didn't read it first. My overall opinion is that this is a fun twist on a spy book, and a fun read!

Nathanael's Review (9 years old) - I think this book is cool because I like spies. It's about this kid who finds out that his school is really a spy place, it's just hidden so nobody knows it. He finds out that these kids that are nerds are really spies and they go through secret lockers to their lair and they defeat the crazy bad guys that are lunatics. I liked this book and definitely think that my friends would like it, too.

A Tale of Two Castles

A Tale of Two Castles
by Gail Carson Levine
328 pages

Mom's Review - I really enjoyed this book! A delightfully fun fairytale with a mystery intertwined within. There are dragons and ogres in this book, which makes it all the more fun to read. There isn't any bad language or sexual content and the exploration of true friendship is written in a way that everyone can understand. Great moral truths!

I would definite allow any of my children to read this book.

Carlye's Review (10 years old) - It's a good, nice story. This book is a fairy tale and I liked that it was a mystery, too. My favorite character was the dragon. And the girl, I liked them both. I think the princess is creepy. I really think my friends would like this book, and Marcus would, too.

A Girl of the Limberlost

A Girl of the Limberlost
by Gene Stratton Porter
pages: 479

Mom's Review - This is one of my favorite books of all time. A heart-breaking, though provoking story of the discovery of love, in all of it's forms with a beautiful resolution. Although it is an excellent book it does deal with several adult issues, including the tragic death of a father and the revelation of an adulterous affair (although this is not explained in any detail). I have just now allowed my daughter to read this book with plenty of ongoing dialogue between her and I as we discuss these 'grown up' issues. An incredible book, strongly recommended for 11 years and up - after mom has read the book first!

Carlye's Review - I loved this book and thought that it was cool. I liked that she had a creek in her yard like me. The way that she described the moths was pretty, but I've never seen moths like that, so I thought about our moths and thought eeew. It's not like a book I've ever read before, but I really liked it. I thought that she was super nice and pretty on the inside and the outside. I definitely think that my friends should read this book. It is romantic, so Marcus might not like it, or any boys!

A Tale of Two Castles

A Tale of Two Castles
by Gail Carson Levine
328 pages

Mom's Review - I really enjoyed this book! A delightfully fun fairytale with a mystery intertwined within. There are dragons and ogres in this book, which makes it all the more fun to read. There isn't any bad language or sexual content and the exploration of true friendship is written in a way that everyone can understand. Great moral truths!

I would definite allow any of my children to read this book.

Carlye's Review (10 years old) - It's a good, nice story. This book is a fairy tale and I liked that it was a mystery, too. My favorite character was the dragon. And the girl, I liked them both. I think the princess is creepy. I really think my friends would like this book, and Marcus would, too.