FYI: This is My 2nd Blog

Hi there! You're here at my second blog where I do interviews and book reviews.

In case you're looking for my 1st blog, where I share my IWSG posts and other musings, just go to "The Musings of a Hopeful & Pecunious Wordsmith, SittieCates".

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

#Reviews: Books for Children and Teens that I’ve Read

I often read books in the genre that I hope to tackle next. It pays to study a lot of books and see the various ways it is presented to a reader.

As I often say whenever I do book reviews, please know that my comments written below are based on my own reading preferences which may or may not be the same as yours.

Ratings below coincide with the Goodreads rating standards. 


The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett



It’s wonderful to read award-winning books and see why these have earned recognition.
Terry Pratchett’s, “The Wee Free Men”, is so delightful and funny. I loved it!

Rating: 5 stars

Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett




Thank goodness there’s a second book! The main character is older and a new adventure brings readers to an exciting, funny and engaging tale that most children and children-at-heart would love.

Rating: 5 stars

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor


I enjoyed reading this book because the characters were richly portrayed. I agree with its review that it’s a powerful novel. It truly is. Written in a somber tone, it carries the weight of a world heavy with social injustice. It is a rich tale of survival.

Rating: 4 stars

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume


A writer friend of mine suggested this to me when she saw that I wrote a children’s book with a (nearly) similar title. I was intrigued so I looked for this.

Judy Blume’s book is for pre-teens and teens, and is about growing up. There were snatches of funny scenes. It was a delight to read it.

Rating: 4 stars

Willow (A Novel by Wayland Drew, A Film from a Story by George Lucas)


This one’s based on a film. I enjoyed reading it. It’s action-filled, fast-paced style makes for a engaging magical tale for children.

Rating: 4 stars

Lord of the Nutcracker Men by Iain Lawrence


I liked the cover of this novel. The story was a nice read. However, I felt that it had a staggering feel; its actual tale was mentioned at a latter part. I was curious about its title, and that made me continue reading it ‘til the end.

Rating: 3 stars

Smashed Potatoes: And Other Thanksgiving Disasters by Carol W. Murphy


When a well-meaning child tackles matters in her own hands by thinking of a surprise, and endeavors to fulfill it, things sometimes go wrong. The tale is interesting and I like the character of Megan Alexander in the tale.

Rating: 3 stars

S.W.I.T.C.H. (Serum Which Instigates Total Cellular Hijack): Bug Battle by Ali Sparkes


Very entertaining! An exciting read. And also funny. This one’s part of a great series for children. I really like this short tale. I’m sure a lot of kids would love this.

Rating: 5 stars

Gargoylz: Make Some Noise by Burchett & Vogler


This is part of a series. It’s a nice short tale that’s filled with an adventure with friendly ‘gargolz’ bearing special abilities. I like it.

Rating: 4 stars

10 comments:

  1. Thanks, Cates! I always enjoy reading your thoughts. You've especially intrigued me with your Wee Free Men observations.

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    1. Hello, Sue! Thank you. Hope you check out the book. :-)

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  2. Hi Cates - I've never been able to get into Terry Pratchett - but the cover intrigues me .. glad you're reading lots of different books - we can only learn from them .. cheers Hilary

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    1. It's a funny read, Hilary. I really loved it. :-)

      Nice of you to drop by. Thanks!

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  3. I've only read Blume's book. I'm not too familiar with classic or the relatively newer classics. I read mainly the recent YA and MG books.

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    1. Hi, Medeia! I love new and old books. It's nice to see how they're written.

      Thanks for the visit!

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  4. I'm with Hilary on this one, but I'd give it a read just because of the cover.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by, cleemckenzie. Yup, the cover's nice. It was what got me curious in the first place. :-)

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  5. Other than Willow, I don't think I'd come across any of those. I too tried Terry Prachett, based on a recommendation. I couldn't get into the "no chapters" and heavy (slow) focus on a character's development. Maybe I read the wrong book to start with?

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    1. Hmmm. Not sure, Crystal. Perhaps. :-)

      Still, I like it because of the funny antics of some characters there.

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