The Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while.  I did a book club in my single days and enjoyed it – but mostly, I enjoyed the camraderie that we all had when we came together.  I often think about starting a mother daughter one, but then my shyness comes out, and I wonder if it will be a success.  That’s a topic for the shrink, I suppose. I did like this book.  I like the ideas; Moms wanting to spend time with their daughters; daughters relcutant;  but eventually seeing the benefits; the girls having their own pre-teen relationship issues;…

If Anything Ever Goes Wrong at the Zoo, by Mary Jean Hendrick, illustrated by Jane Dyer. We picked this book up a few years ago at the library, and I havent read it since; so I’m just going on my memory this time.  But, I thought it would be appropriate given the weather situation in our area (Hurricane Irene). Leslie visits the zoo every week and loves the animals.  She tells the zookeeper that if anything ever happens at the zoo, to bring the animals to her house.  Guess what?  There’s a big rainstorm and the zoo gets flooded so the animals need someplace safe to be.  So, off they…

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale My daughter and I picked this book last year as a read aloud.  Her reasoning was “princess” was part of the title, so it must be something she would like.  I read it myself first.  I loved it, but thought it might be a bit mature for her.  I explained that there were some scary parts, but she decided it would be okay.  The deal was if she didnt like it we could always stop.  I was impressed! Princess Academy is the story of Miri, a girl, small for her age, who is being raised by her dad; her mother died giving birth to her.…

The Small Adventures of Popeye and Elvis by Barbara O’Connor My daughter had to read this book for school this summer.  I think this was the first time she was being told what she had to read, usually she picks out very girly books.  The cover of our copy had two boys in a river – not really girly or princessy. We decided on sharing the reading aloud – 2 chapters for me and 2 chapters for her.  It is the story of Popeye (you’ll have to read it to find out why he’s called Popeye) who lives in Fayette, South Carolina.  Nothing ever happens to Popeye, and he is…

The Moffats by Eleanor Estes. My mother and I both picked this book as a Christmas present for my daughter.  It is the story of a family of four children, Sylvie, the oldest; Joey, the ‘man of the house’; Janey, who has a delightful way of looking at the world; and Rufus, the youngest, but wants to be grown-up.   It is a fun story, with all the different adventures one can have as child.  It was written in 1941, which makes a difference in what the children do.  They play outisde, policemen walk by their house on patrol, the youngest boy gets scarlet fever and the house is quarantined, horse…

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler, illustrated by Sarah Gibb. I found Liz Kessler’s page on Facebook, and I am so glad I did.  The Tail of Emily Windsnap is a  fascinating story of Emily, who, at 12 years old, discovers she is a mermaid!  It is written well, and as far fetched as it is, I couldn’t put it down.  Emily discovers herself; how strong she really can be, and who her true friends and family are.  She has some problems at her new school, but in finding herself, she also finds a new best friend.  She is able to deal with some grownup issues, and help her mother realize…

Nate the Great Stalks Stupidweed by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont I have been looking for more easy chapter books to read aloud to my son (I’m on a break from Magic Tree House).  This is the second Nate the Great we tried, and I cant’ say that I loved it.  It was very hard to hold my sons attention.  He didn’t get the details, so it was hard for him, even with my help, to solve the mystery.   The story was long, with no chapters or breaks, so it was hard to find a good place to stop.  And, they do seem a bit outdated.  The pictures are…

The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy’s Great Idea by Ann M. Martin. We have been  having a lazy summer and family dramas, so reviewing books seems to be last on my list of things to do.  I apologize for the lack of entries. My daughter got several of The Baby-Sitters Club books through school and the Scholastic Book Order Forms.  She still hasn’t read any of them.  I thought they might be a little too grown up for her.  But, I read the first one Kristy’s Great Idea, and I couldnt put it down.  Some of the topics might be a little older than my daughter, but it is all things that she will have to deal with…

I think I mentioned before that we have to read the book before we see the movie.  My son had been seeing the promos for Mr. Popper’s Penguins.  So, we just finished Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater, illustrations by Robert Lawson. I had read this a few years ago to my daughter.  It was amusing, but I think a lot of the humor was too grown-up for both of my children.  It was written in 1938 so are there are a few things that are outdated.  But, it is still a good book to read aloud.  Mr. Popper is a house painter who loves the Antarctic.  He…

We’ve been a little busy with the ending of school and trying to get into the routine of sleeping late and enjoying the pool.  Ahhhhh, summer.  I feel as though its been months since I put up a new book.  Never fear, I’m back! And, the Penderwicks are back, too.  We were #2 on the waiting list for The Penderwicks at Point Mouette at our library!  We didn’t have to wait very long.  We were so excited, and we just finished it today. Once again, it was so nice to be reunited with the Penderwick girls and Jeffrey.  Rosalind has gone on vacation to NJ with her friend, Anna.  Their…