Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Summer Book Bash! FREE eBooks!
Cress by Marissa Meyer
So, to make this review fair, I have to say that I am not finished listening to Cress by Marissa Meyer, the 3rd book in the Lunar Chronicles. But so far, it is great. It begins after Scarlet ends. Cress (patterned after Rapunzel) is stuck on a satellite, high above Earth. 
And of course not having seen scissors in years, her hair is super long, like Rapunzel's. She is a Shell, a Lunar (person born on the moon) without special powers. The people of Earth and the people on the Moon are all human, but have lived separate long enough that Lunars, as they're called, have developed special powers in that they can manipulate or influence the minds of others. They can make themselves appear more attractive, for one, and certain Lunars can even manipulate the behavior of others with their minds. Cress cannot do any of those things. But she is really good with computers. So instead of being killed, or being a prisoner on her own planet (regular Lunars despite Shells) she is put in this satellite. She does not agree with Queen Levana, the Queen of Luna, who believes it is her destiny to take over all of the world, and so Cress is sympathetic to Earthens, and wants to help. But she's stuck. Until she's contacted by Cinder, Scarlet, Thorne (a character Cinder escaped prison with) and Wolf. They are aboard Thorn's ship, and will come rescue her, so she can help them fight back against Queen Levana. But are these plans going to go smoothly? This book, so far, like Scarlet, seems to be appropriate for teens and up. Readers who enjoy retellings of old fairy tales will enjoy this story, and Scarlet.
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer is the second book in the Lunar Chronicles. It comes after Cinder. Meyer takes fairy tales and adds a new twist to them. After the first book, in which Cinder (patterned after Cinderella) a cyborg (having been injured in a fire as a toddler) warns Prince Kai that the evil Lunar Queen wants to take his throne and kill him, we meet Scarlet.
Patterned after Little Red Riding Hood, Scarlet is worried about her grandmother who has gone missing. She recruits the help of a street fighter named Wolf who says he can help her find her grandmother, and off they go toward Paris. But can she fully trust Wolf, or does he have secrets he's not telling her about? And what connection does her missing grandmother have to do with Cinder, who has managed to escape prison despite being caught after warning Kai that the Lunar Queen wants to kill him? This book has some violent bits in it, and some kissing, but it is appropriate for teens to read. I recommend it to people who like sci-fi, and enjoy old stories retold in a new way.
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary
In Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary, Ramona is facing a whole new set of trials she never expected to face. Ramona's best friend Howie has an uncle, Uncle Hobart, who has come home from Saudi Arabia and Ramona isn't sure she likes Uncle Hobart's sense of humor.
Her mother is getting suspiciously plump in front, her beloved Aunt Bea starts dating a man that she won't tell her neices about, and to top it all off, a sad event that Ramona has never experienced before, happens to their family. But Ramona, ever innovative and courageous, faces everything with grace and flexibility. This is a great book for families to read, especially when facing big changes like a family member getting married, a new baby in the family, or the loss of a beloved pet. The stories are written with the language and thoughts that a young child would use, and would be able to relate to. Children as well as adults who enjoy looking back on their childhoods will love these stories, and find themselves relating to and cheering on Ramona Quimby!
Ramona Quimby Age 8
In Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Cleary, Ramona has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. Because her dad is going back to school, her mom needs to work. And because her mom needs to work, Ramona needs to stay at Mrs. Kemp's house after school. And Ramona doesn't much like that.
Added to that, the woes of getting egg in her hair, dealing with the teasing of a new boy named Danny, and other embarrassments are almost too much for Ramona to deal with. Will she be able to face her troubles with the same pluck and determination that she has had in the past? Kids and adults who enjoy reading books for kids will love reading this book to find out!
Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary
In Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary, Ramona finds herself navigating the uncertain beginning of first grade with a new teacher, and new responsibilities. Being brave is something she wants, and she thinks she's doing great at it when she tells off a bunch of boys teasing Beezus her sister. 
But when they just laugh and Beezus gets mad at her, Ramona realizes she's got a few things to learn. Can she really be brave? And when a strange dog follows her toward school and scares her, will Ramona know what to do? Ramona's exciting first grade year will be a fun read for kids and for adults who read to kids, and who remember what it was like to be in first grade!
Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
In Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary, Ramona is excited to start kindergarten. She'll be going to school with the big kids, instead of staying at home watching them go to school! She'll get to participate in the Halloween parade instead of just watching it happen, and she'll be learning so much! Things start of great for Ramona.
Her teacher, Miss Binney, seems like a smart, understanding lady. But then Ramona quickly realizes that things won't be as easy or as exciting as she expected. She'll have to get along with the other kids, for one thing, and mean Susan is so bossy that it's hard for Ramona not to pull the other girl's springy curly hair! This is a fun book for children and adults who remember their kindergarten days, and the fun and challenge, of learning!
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