Author: Kim de Blecourt
Book Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Plot: A mother's reminiscence of her treacherous journey to bring a child home. (A True Story.)
Likes: The narration is very descriptive, recounting every detail. Dislikes: Her story made ME stressed just reading of what she went through to adopt her child. Customs, arrests, and deceitful government leaders made me want to rip my hair out.
Rating: G. The book has no negative content, although it is a very mature book.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone having a rough adoption process, because Kim encourages that Gods love and strength will guide you through the process. :)
Series: Peter Pan and the Starcatchers
Books in the series: 5
Series Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
The beloved Peter Pan stories are brought back by the talented Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson.
Plot: Peter, an orphan, is put on a ship headed for a treacherous land with an even worse ruler. On the journey, though, Peter finds a chest that holds unimaginable power. This wonderful series go back and fills in all the holes from the original movie, such as why Peter can fly, who the lost boys were, and how he met Molly, Wendy's mother.
Rating: PG
Why? The "D" word is used very sparingly. Aside from that, the books are completely and totally kid-friendly.
Likes: As I previously stated, this series gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Peter's backstory, answering questions about his childhood, Captain Hook, and Neverland.
Dislikes: Although the storyline is brilliant, there were a few times where the story gets slow. I found a few of the chapters were hard to get through, do to a lack of action.
But hey, it isn't for everyone! :)
Series: Gregor and The Underland Chronicles
Book Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Author: Suzanne Collins
Plot: A young boy named Gregor discovers an underground world when his little sister, Boots, falls down an air shaft.
The Underland is inhabited by humans with pale skin and purple eyes, evil human-sized rats, and creepily large roaches.When the evil rats wage war on the Underlanders, the people of the Underland make a desperate call on Gregor to fulfill many ancient prophecies.
Rated: PG.
Why? The battle scenes are very descriptive of the blood and broken bones. A few of the good characters die (As in any good book) so it does throw you into an emotional loop, but altogether, I feel it is a good reading choice for children 10+
This is a series I've re-read many times, and I'd recommend it to everyone!
Series: Percy Jackson & The Olympians
Plot: After his math teacher turns into a vicious monster and attempts to kill him, twelve-year-old Percy discovers he's a demigod- a child of a mythical god. Immediately, he is rushed to Camp Half-Blood. The Camp was created to protect and train demigods from all over the world. In the five book series, follow Percy as he fulfills ancient prophecies, fights monsters, and attempts to save the world.
Author: Rick Riordan.
Series Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
What I loved about the series: There was a constant stream of action with a dash of romance. Mr. Riordan is such a comedian, he had me laughing the whole time! (Except when I was crying, but I won't spoil it for you.) Never have I ever read a series more enthralling. This series was brilliantly put together, and I imagine I'll never find a series or author whom which I'd prefer over this one.
Movie or Books? Definitely the books. I'd recommend not watching the movie at all. The director took the storyline and flushed it down the toilet. Although the acting was good, the movie had almost nothing in common with the book, and (as they always do) left the best parts out. :(
Recommended Age Group: 12+
Although Mr. Riordan designed the books for children, I know many adults who read and reread the books all on their own. I, myself, plan on rereading them until I can read no longer. :)
Rating: PG. Throughout the battles, the bloody details are included, though not in a garish way. Percy Jackson & The Olympians does send you on an emotional roller-coaster. There are some pretty devastating scenes, but I do believe it is suitable for children. :)
Letter to the author:
Mr. Riordan;
Thank you ever so much for sharing your stories with us. Percy Jackson and the Olympians has greatly impacted my life and the lives of others. I find it simply amazing how you chose to work through dyslexic Percy to prove that even kids labeled with disorders can protect the ones they love, fulfill the most impossible quests, and ultimately save the world. Percy Jackson, though a fictional character, has inspired us to push on, even when our memories get swiped by a goddess, or our friends are lost in battle, to do everything we were put on this earth to do.
Thank you.
