The Great Mouse Detective!

Title: Basil of Baker Street

Author: Eve Titus

Reading Goal: Finish in one day, before I have to go to work.

Started: November 23

Finished: Same

Review: This book is perfect for beginning chapter readers. The chapters are short and simple. There are illustrations on every few pages. There is a little mouse violence, and talk of characters being eaten. Parents who have watched "The Great Mouse Detective" might enjoy sharing the original story with their youngsters.

The world will end on July 27, 2000

Title: Armageddon Summer

Authors: Jane Yolen & Bruce Coville

Reading Goal: 5 chapters a day, finish in ten days.

Started: November 12

Finished: November 19

Review: This book was never a first pick of mine. I remember looking at it in my library right after it was released, and was indecisive about weather or not I should read it. I opted out at that time. I saw it yet again in paperback at a book sale in the same library. I decided yet again to wait. I returned on the last day of the sale, and since I needed an extra paperback for a deal, I picked it up. I'm going to read my personal books in abc order, and this was one of the first.

Now, about the book. I'd like to discuss the format first. Jane narrates Marina's story, and Bruce tells Jed's. The chapters are divided almost evenly between the two characters, switching back and forth as necessary. There are also letters, articles and conversations at the conclusion of various chapters. Each of these is supposed to add another piece to the puzzle. The concept has five stars from me.

Now for the story. The foreshadowing is excellent. I also feel the characters are fairly well developed, well, the main ones are. The minor characters are underdeveloped at the least. Even the kids parents seen very few changes. The concept was excellent. As I finished, I began to feel there was a massive shift in emotions. I don't feel any perspective was given a fair shot. Overall, I loved the book, until the last few chapters. The end is just a mish-mosh. For a book that was so meticulously planned, I felt EXTREMELY disappointed. Don't take my word for it, please read the book and comment on my review. I would love to know what others thought of it.

The Diary of a Young Girl

Author: Anne Frank

Reading Goal: A "chapter" per day in between other books. I considered each month a chapter.

Started: 10-16ish

Finished: 11-13-08

Reccomended for: 12- adult

Rating:****

Summary: It was difficult to read at times. It was mostly good, but it did have some dry spots. This is one of those books I tried time and time again to read. I hoped to be required to read it in school, and I'm still very disappointed I wasn't.

The Alchemist

Ugh, I'm so stinking tired! Grr....okay, enough boring rants. I just finished reading The Alchemist. Mom told me I would like it. She was wrong. I LOVED it! Normally I don't like journeys, but this one kept my attention. It's definitely better if you read it in a couple of days, rather than stretching it out.