Review: Wonder

Title: Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio
Format: Paperback
Pages: 315
Date(s) Read: November 20-23, 2015
Rating: 4

Summary: 
August Pullman is not your ordinary ten-year-old.  Ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run from them on the playground.  Auggie was born with a terrible facial defect.  He's been homeschooled for his whole life, and for the first time he is being sent to a real school.  He wants to be accepted, but will he be? 

Review: 

Wonder is one of those books that will resonate with anyone that reads it.  Anyone who has been bullied while growing up, or is currently still being bullied.  This is a coming of age story, and ultimately it is something that all of us fight with.  Accepting who you are, accepting what you are and being proud of that - no matter what.  No matter your looks, no matter your clothes, no matter your family.  Be proud of who you are and who your family is.  

This book teaches us that, you really shouldn't judge people by initial impressions and appearances.  You have no idea the fights that they fight, the troubles they are dealing with or what truly lies within their hearts.  This book reminds us to strive to be less judgemental.  

Augustus is by far one of my favorite characters, and while the end was a touch neat and shiny for my tastes....I would still highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.  

This isn't a book with an action packed plot, this isn't a book with a plot that is super exciting.  It doesn't need to be, and doesn't need any major plot twists or turns to make it anymore interesting than it already is.  Some of it was transparent, and I could guess which way things were going to go, but I honestly don't really care.  The writing makes it easy to imagine the world, to make it feel all the more real and you could actually picture the family as a real family you'd want to be a part of. 

Review: Dream Team (Dream Seeker's #2) by Lisa Ard

Title: Deam Team

Author: Lisa Ard

Format: E-book (Kindle)

Read: Dec 30, 2012

Rating: 4/5

Recommend: 3rd grade and up.

Summary: For Patrick, being twelve years old can be challenging. Add to that the unusual ability to experience dreams as reality and you begin to understand, why Patrick never knows what will happen when he falls asleep. When Patrick's voice begins to change, he declares disaster! But one magnificent dream will introduce Patrick to some real-life heroes, who faced far greater adversity. Patrick discovers that his troubles are minor league in comparison. Will Patrick find the courage to face his fears?

Review: I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This book set my book OCD off, but it was alright. I just have to get the first one in the series – because it gnaws on me when I read books in the wrong order. Drives me absolutely batty really.

This is a cute middle grade read, and it is great to read with your child. It has a lot of adventure that is sure to hold interest, and the pacing is fantastic. It is not too complex for them to comprehend as a beginning, and it is a good read for advanced readers.

I give kudos to Ms. Ard for her devleopment of the sibling relationships in this series. This is about a family of “Dream Seekers” whose dreams are experienced in reality. In this book, Patrick is being coached by his teenaged sister Grace, and she helps him improve his confidence and dream-seeking skills. The conflict between them is realistic, and is something that I can expect to hear between my roommate's children or me and my sister when we were their age.

Review: Saving Halloween by Lisa Ard

Title: Saving Halloween

Author: Lisa Ard

Format: E-book (Kindle)

Read: Dec 29-30, 2012

Rating: 3/5

Recommend: For 3rd Grade and Up.

Summary: When book-smart Anne Parson meets Halloween Spavento, she sees exactly what she wants to see -- a friend. Halloween waves away trouble, magically silences school bullies and offers Anne unfailing friendship. But, when the Spavento family's enchanting exploits are exposed, will Anne face her fears and save Halloween?

Review: I had received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  Anne's parents had high expectations from her. They ensured that she did well in school, but weren't the kind of parents who would spend a lot of time with her. She didn't have friends, and in fact she was a target for bullies, that is until Halloween Spavento and her family. The townsfolk like the Spaventos despite their eccentric hobbies, well everyone except the bullies. Anne does end up becoming good friends with Halloween, and the strange traditions (talking to deceased relatives) don't bother her.

However, thanks to Mrs. Spavento, who overhears the bullies talking in a shop, saying that they “hate Halloween,” and she thinks that they mean the holiday, not her daughter, they will be planning and hosting the best Halloween party the town has ever seen!

I did like this middle grade story, and I do like how Ms. Ard tells her story, however I did find this book a little lacking and I can't entirely put my finger on just why that is. But, it is a good read for a young advanced reader, and definitely as a good balance of spooky and not spooky. Definitely a good book to read around Halloween.