The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Currently on pg.122, chapter 17

Alright already, let's get to the pirates. SPOILER ALERT - Erick and Fink have grabbed Jaron (who is now calling himself Sage) and are supposedly taking him to the pirates.

I guess there is some internal struggle as to whether the pirate king would welcome an uninvited guest. I am getting bored. It is time to either get to the pirates or not.

Runaway King by Jennifer Nielsen

Currently on pg. 66, chapter 10

SPOILER ALERT - I am at the part where Jaron has just told Mott and Tobias that he plans on joining the pirates. I think that this will make for a good plot twist.


Amarinda or Imogen? I have to wonder if Amarinda is plotting against Jaron. Because I am unsure, at this point I am hoping that Jaron and Imogen will end up together. But if Amarinda is on Jaron's side, she is my choice for him.

It is time for the pirates!!! Who doesn't like a pirate story? Arrrgh! Read on!

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Currently on page 50, chapter 8

Interest Level: 5-8 grade
Reading Level: 5.0 grade
Lexile: 710
Genre: historical/realistic fiction

The Runaway King is book two in the Ascendance trilogy. The fact that I am reading a sequel says a lot about the first book. I like the setting; castles, kings, courts, swords and such. In the first book, King Jaron, presumed dead, returns to claim the throne of Carthya. He is young, not yet of legal age. His regents are not confident in his ability to lead.

SPOILER ALERT - This book starts out with an assassination attempt and King Vargan and the pirates threat of an invasion. The title of this book makes me think that Jaron will panic and run from the throne. Stay tuned.

Lisa's War by Carol Matas

Finished the book

This book is what I call a 'beach book'. You can take it to the beach and read it in a day or two.

Keeping in mind that this book is aimed at younger reader, I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. A good read. You can't beat historical fiction.

Lisa's War by Carol Matas

Currently on page 18, chapter 3

Interest Level: 3rd - 7th grade
Reading Level: 3.8 grade
Interest Level: 600
Genre: historical fiction

This book was given to me about 5 years ago by a student. At that time I worked in the library at other middle school in our school district. It was April and I had decorated for Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's birthday. He said that since my great grandfather was born in Denmark and I seemed to have a fondness for the country, I should read this book. I told him I would read it and get it back to him by the end of the school year. He said he got it out of the free box at the Wilsonville public library, he was done with it, and I could keep it. I do like Denmark. I was lucky enough to visit it in the summer of 1981. I also like historical fiction. It is a short read, only 111 pages. So, I grabbed it out of my 'to read' stack of books.

Fact - On April 9, 1940, the German army invaded Denmark. Denmark surrendered within days. This is when the book is set. SPOILER ALERT - Lisa's and her family are Jewish. Her parents are worried about the German invasion. Lisa's brother, Stefan, is angry that Denmark didn't fight the Germans harder and longer. The Germans claim that nothing will change in Denmark. They will rule their own country. Lisa's family had heard about Jews in Austria and Germany going missing but nothing has been confirmed. It could all be rumors.

The Public Library by Robert Dawson

Finished the book

Anne Lemott wrote a short story, "Steinbeck Country" for this book (p.164-166). In it she said something that reminded me of my colleague and friend, Katie Sullivan. She wrote, "On this afternoon, parents read to their children in whispered Spanish, and the air felt nutritious." It seemed like something Ms. Sullivan would say, the air being nutritious.

How I love books and libraries. I give this non-fiction book 5 out of 5 stars.

The Public Library by Robert Dawson

Currently on page 162

Trona, California is known for its isolation and desolation. In 2000, it had a population of 2,742. It is also the hometown of my very dear friend, Lauretta. The Trona Branch Library is pictured on page 87. Although I have been to Trona, I did not visit the library, It looks much like I expected it to. I have also added the Central Library in Philadelphia (p.82) and the Main Library in Salt Lake City (p.115, 123, & 133) to my must-see list. Also the exteriors of the Main Library in Deuth, Minnesota (p.110) and the Willard Library in Evansville, Indiana (p.120) would draw me inside. In chapter 4 "Urban and Rural Libraries", there are three moving written pieces entitled "The Northeast Nevada Regional Bookmobile" (p.96), "Practicing Seva" (p.104), and "Spreading Enlightenment" (p.106). I highly recommend this book if only to read these three stories. Twenty-one more pages to go. I knew I would end up reading this one cover to cover.

The Public Library by Robert Dawson

Currently on page 32

Interest Level: 7th grade and up
Reading Level: 5.8 grade
Genre: non-fiction

The author that wrote the foreword for this book is from West Sacramento. I grew up in, I guess what would be called, north Sacramento. And no, I don't know him, Bill Moyers, or any of the Moyers. I picked up this book because there are some beautiful libraries in our country. I think the Woburn Public Library in Woburn, Massachusetts (pg. 20) is a very recognizable library and quite stunning. I would like to visit the Peterborough Town Library in Peterborough, New Hampshire (p.26) the next time I visit my friend, Melanie. Built in 1833, it was the first library supported by the community through taxation.

I would start this paragraph with the words 'spoiler alert' but it is information that I am sure you know. And if you don't, you should. The library matters!!! Libraries are the great equalizers among the social classes. They are refuges in times of need; natural disasters, economic distress, personal turmoil, and more. The library is currently in a state of change. As we move to a more technology based world, this book sings the praises of the library and spotlights the need for their existence.

The book is full of many beautiful pictures but also has written pieces entitled 'The Spirit of the Library', 'A Country Without Libraries', and 'What the Library Means To Me', just to name a few. Even though this is a coffee table book and lends itself to perusing, I plan to read this book cover to cover.

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Finished the book

NOOOOOOO!!!! There will be a sequel titled The Wicked Must Rise slated to be published on March 30, 2015. The author did finish this book off nicely. In all honesty if the next one was already written, I would probably read it. Come March will I read the sequel? I don't know. It will depend on what else there is on my nightstand at that time.

SPOILER ALERT - Dorothy doesn't die in book one. I know, 'duh'. If she had died there probably wouldn't be a book two. I did like how at the end of the book Amy seems to join forces with the Wizard and Pete. One of the three major players (the scarecrow, the tin man, and the lion) does die or so it seems.

I will give Dorothy Must Die 3 out of 5 stars. Don't read it if you get upset when authors mess with classic story lines.

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Currently on page 410, chapter 40

With only 42 pages left, I am wondering how the author is going to wrap this up. I REALLY do not want the book to end in a cliff hanger. I am enjoying the book but not enough to read a sequel.

SPOILER ALERT - The plan has finally been revealed to Amy. She is suppose to kill Dorothy during the party by stabbing her. She is not sure if she will be able to kill someone, even someone as horrible as Dorothy.

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Currently on p. 308, chapter 31

SPOILER ALERT! - When Amy, disguised as Astrid, injects the scarecrow's brain with brain matter. Eeww! Disgusting!

Still carrying the book around. Still enjoying it.