Archive for the 'zzzz...Book Reviews' Category

book review: Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, by Jules Verne

At fist general society thought it was a huge wale of some kind. But then why would it glow? How could it possibly move so fast? How could a wale sink a ship?

Then they imagined some sort of monster. A monster? Impossible!

Finally someone came up with a theory that might be possible… a submarine! But of course, submarines didn’t exist! Even if they had existed, how could a private person create such a machine without the world knowing?

Finally a handful of people boarded the Abraham Lincoln on a quest to find out what the mysterious object could be. When they finally came across it, they found that even at full steam they could not catch it. In a last attempt Abraham Lincoln shot at the creature. The shell simply bounced off. Enraged, the animal came after the Abraham Lincoln and sunk it to the bottom of the sea.

After being thrown off the Abraham Lincoln, a Canadian, a professor, and the professors assistant found themselves clinging for dear life onto the very monster they had hoped to find. It was not a monster. It was a submarine.

A strong bond and a scents of camaraderie develops between them after many adventures. The submarine travels from ocean to ocean at the will of its captain, a man who has loosed almost all connections with the world.

Pretty good; it was a classic. Although not one of my favorites, I loved the style of writing. I think the main point the author was trying to make was that a submarine is probable.

book review: Indian Captive, by Lois Lenski

Mary Jamison had a relatively happy life on her family’s farm in Pennsylvania. Until a band of warriors broke into their house and took everything, including Mary. They traveled with her to a Indian village - right where New York now is. Separated from her family and everything she is used to, Mary must learn to adapt to the Seneca ways. Although the Indians are nice to her, Mary misses her family horribly and tries to run away several times.

Living with the Indians, she learns many things about plants and animals, and how to live in harmony with nature. Finally a opportunity to go back to the world of white men arises. Will she stay with her new brothers and sisters, the Indians, or will she go back to the world she once knew so well?

It wasn’t my favorite writing style, as it seems to fit two different emotions on each page. Other than that, excellent. Its based on a true story.

book review: Night Watch, by Terry Pratchett

Sam Vimes, The main charictar of this story, was chasing a ruthless villian on the rooftop of the library of the Unseen University when suddenly he falls through the roof and gets thrown back in time. He meets his younger self, and sees a lot of his comrads, but they don’t know him, and they are a lot younger. He gets mistaken for his former commander, the man who taught him how to be a good watchman.

The city’s on the brink of revolt, there’s a curfew, the police are corrupt, and that killer he was after him in the future is with him here in the past, which is now the present…sort of. Now all Vime has to do is figure out how to get back home-but first he has to change the outcome of a horrible revolution. There’s a problem, though: if he wins, he’s got no wife, no child, no future…

Great plot, makes you think, and you can’t tell what the ending is going to be.

book review: Bound for Oregon, by Jean Van Leeuwen

The Todd family sets out from Arkansas on the two thousand mile journey across rough terrain. There are hostile Indians to worry about, and horrible diseases to worry about. There true pioneering must come to light, or , well… they will die. With winter coming on, and the lots of mountains to cross, the journey seams more and more difficult. Will the Todd family make it?

Its a good introduction to the Oregon trail.

book review: The Cross and the Switchblade, by David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson was inspired by God to help gang members in New York, armed with the simple message of God’s love and the the promise of the Holy Spirit’s power. He fights against such things as prostitution, Violent gangs ruled by warlords and drug pushers.

Very good, One of my favorites. Its inspiring. P.S. There is practically a miracle every 10 pages or less, and this is a true story.

book review: The Green Book, by Jill paton walsh

A science fiction book about a girl named Pattie and her family who are the last of a dying human race on earth. They land on a distant planet that the youngest names shine. Their iron supplies (thats what they eat) are dwindling, and the planet seams to not support life. their lives suddenly seem in jeopardy. There is a box of death pills that seem kinder than starvation, and as time goes on, the last humans begin to think about taking them. Pattie and her sister decide to take the one chance that might make life possible on Shine.

This book is O.K. My favorite part about it is that you don’t know what the ‘green book’ actually is until the last page, and the green book is really quite interesting. ps: its short, 69 pages.

book review: Nothing to Fear, by Karen Rose

Danny and his family can’t seem to make enough money to make ends meet during the great depression. In search of a job, Danny’s father leaves. While he’s gone they struggle to retain their good humor and family pride. With Danny’s mom pregnant, Danny is finally forced to do whatever he can to make enough money for food, That could mean shinning shoes, helping his mother with the laundry business, or even begging.

very cleverly written and fun to read, its one of my favorites.

book review: Where the Red Fern Grows, by Tara McCarthy

This heart warming adventure will take you through bittersweet
moments, wonderfully happy moments, and sections that would make you
cry. It starts out with a man who had a incredible childhood. When a
hunting hound was found fighting for his life outside on the
sidewalk, he saved it, and brought it home to feed it. The dog made
him feel and remember the joyful and melancholy story of his life. Continue reading ‘book review: Where the Red Fern Grows, by Tara McCarthy’