The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Currently on page 61, chapter 13

Interest Level: 5-8th grades
Reading Level: 360L/3.9 grade

This is the last Oregon Readers Choice Award nominee that is in my To-Read stack of books. AND I think this will be the one I vote for. I love, love, LOVE historical fiction! This book is set in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1958. First, do NOT read the back of the book or the flyleaf on the dust-jacket. I am sorry I did. Still, I am staying up late reading. I am enthralled with this book. The main character, Marlee, reminds me of my youngest daughter. So, of course, I adore her. I am off to do my Spanish homework so that I can hang out in the hammock and read!!

Clara y Ahsa por Eric Rohmann

This summer I am taking a Spanish class. In honor of that class and its most excellent teacher....
Interest Level: 4 yrs and up
Reading Level: Preschool

Clara es una niña joven. Clara tiene un amigo imaginario. Su nombre es Asha. Es un pez. Toman un baño. Asha ayuda con el disfraz de Halloween de Clara. Juegan en la nieve. Juegan en el cielo. Clara debe ir a la cama. Pero cuando Clara va a la cama tiene un amigo Nuevo, un aligátor. El libro es bueno. Las ilustraciones son bonitas.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Finished the book

 

I want to read the sequel!! This says a lot. I very rarely read sequels. I recommend this book.

 

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Currently on p. 284, chapter 48

Okay, I am hooked. At this point, I am planning on reading the sequel. I want to know if there is a future for Imogene and Sage.

SPOILER ALERT!! I speculated that Sage was really Jaron but the reader doesn't find out for sure until the end of chapter 43. Kudos to the author for the journey of suspecting but not know if Sage is truly Jaron.

With 58 pages left to read, I am recommending this book. In fact it is in the running for my choice for the 2015 Oregon Readers Choice Award.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Currently on pg. 166, chapter 28

There are a couple of ways you can tell if I like a book; how quickly I read it and if I take it everywhere with me.

Side rant - Always, always, ALWAYS have a book with you. Seriously, you could be stuck waiting for your ride (or for your child to get out of band). No problem, read your book. You could find out that you don't have enough time to go home between running errands and your appointment. Go to Starbuck's or park in the shade and READ. Your friend stands you up for lunch. Cool. You can read during lunch!!! Always, always, ALWAYS have a book with you.

I am carrying The False Prince around with me. Whether I will read the other two books in the trilogy is yet to be seen. I stated in an earlier post that I did not know if I like this book or was simply using the book to avoid doing my homework. I have decided I DO like it. With about 175 more pages to read, stay tuned!

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Currently on p. 59, chapter 10
Interest Level: 5-8th grade
Reading Level: 710L/4.8 - 6.2 grade

Think The Prince and the Pauper with a twist.

Semi-SPOILER ALERT! - Conner, a regent in the court of King Eckbert, has a plan. He gets four orphans that resemble the king's lost son, Jaron. He plans to try to pass one of them off as Jaron.

So far, I am enjoying the book. I do find myself looking to pick up the book when I have a free moment. In all honesty, that could be simply to avoid my summer school Spanish class homework.

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Awesome, awesome, awesome!! I love, love, LOVED this book. One of the best realistic fiction books I have read in awhile. I am torn between this book and Colin Fischer (another realistic fiction) for my favorite ORCA book. I still have two more ORCA books to read so we shall see. 'Why did I like it?' you ask. Well.....

SPOILER ALERT!!

This story does not have the perfect Disney ending but I like that. Life does not have a Disney ending, but the ending is happy. I love how the characters grow. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Donovan. Although, I like Chloe and Noah as well. I would highly recommend it.

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Currently on p. 230, chapter Unschooled

I LOVE this book. If you like realistic fiction. I highly recommend it. It has humor. It has a bit of suspense. It has just a tiny bit of romance. When I finish it tonight, I will then tell you what the story is about. Right now, I want to get back to the book. I have only 50 more pages to go. I want to see  how it ends.

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Presently on page 11, chapter Unidentified

Interest Level: 5-8th grade
Reading Level: 730L/4.4 - 6.3 grade

I have previously read two of Gordon Korman's books, Swindle and Schooled. I enjoyed both of them. I am confident that Ungifted will be equally as good.