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darladoodles
Mid-Continent Public Library
darladoodles's Profile Shelves

darladoodles's Completed Shelf

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Applesauce Weather, Unknown

by Frost, Helen
Unknown, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 05, 2017

Comment:

This heartwarming story told in verse evokes the feelings of fall and the smell of ripe applies cooking on the stove. I loved meeting Faith, Peter and their Uncle Arthur as well as his dear late wife Lucy through her own contributions. A lovely book to read aloud with kids for a few days before apple picking. It also highlights the wonderful skills of storytelling and passing those stories on to the next generation.

A Bird on Water Street, Book

by Dulemba, Elizabeth O.
Book, 2013
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 05, 2017

Comment:

Kudos to Dulemba and Little Pickle Press for this informative story about the effects of copper mining and the wonder of nature coming back when the mining stops. Jack Hicks does not want to be a miner like his father and as he continues to learn more about the flora and fauna that have not been present in his hometown his dream of being a forest ranger is closer to reality. This book gets a message across without being preachy. We see the plight of the families who have been dependent on mining for generations juxtaposed against the effects on the environment. The way this book was written is a great way to learn about both without being forced to take a side.

Into the Lion's Den, Book

by Fairstein, Linda A.
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 04, 2017

Comment:

Devlin Quick has moxy! I thought that from the first chapter and was happy to find that her grandmother agreed with my assessment. It was great fun to read about a mystery that originated in the NYC Public Library and is solved by pre-teen sleuths. Books set in NYC have so many landmarks and so much history to draw upon. The plot reminded me of the old Nancy Drew mysteries. There is the friend who brings a mystery to Devlin's attention, her professional parent with helpful connections, her partners in sleuthing and her single-minded pursuit of the answer to the puzzle -- all elements that evoke the nostalgic memory of Nancy Drew's many adventures. With the mystery of who planted the bomb in Paris that killed Devlin's father before she was born on her to do list, we know there is much for Devlin to do as she grows up.

A Study in Charlotte, UnknownA Charlotte Holmes Novel

by Cavallaro, Brittany
Unknown, 2016
Available
Added Feb 02, 2017

Comment:

I thought this modern twist on Holmes & Watson was creative and beautifully written. The core of the relationship is transferred into this story with modern conveniences/dilemmas and the tension that exists in the original pairing. Holmes needs Watson for many reasons, but also struggles with her superior observation skills and keeping him in the loop. It will be interesting to see how many old Holmes tales are resurrected in the next installment.

Dance! Dance! Underpants!, Book

by Shea, Bob
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 01, 2017

Comment:

Another wonderful installment in the Ballet Cat series. Poor Butter Bear is coming up with so many excuses not to practice her dance with Ballet Cat. She even insists that she has to go into the woods when she needs to poop. Ha! The little audience waiting to see her perform is a diverse gathering of creatures, one of them even admitting that he is only there, because her underpants will show when she is dancing. In the end, Butter Bear realizes that her fears are unjustified and she enjoys her moment in the spotlights dazzling her friends.

The Totally Secret Secret, Book

by Shea, Bob
Book, 2015
darladoodles's rating:
Added Feb 01, 2017

Comment:

Love, love, love Ballet Cat and Sparkle Pony. They are so cute and model good friendship.

NOW THAT FUNNY: HILARIOUS STORIES FROM THE MAN IN CHARGE OF MAKING AMERICA LAUGH, Unknown

by ANDY SIMMONS
Unknown
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 30, 2017

I Will Always Write Back, BookHow One Letter Changed Two Lives

by Alifirenka, Caitlin
Book, 2015
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2017

Comment:

The story of Martin and Caitlin is such an amazing one and the way it is told through their actual letters and accompanying prose is a recipe for understanding. Through this combination we see how Martin's life is so different from Caitlin's. It brings tears to the eyes to think about what a huge difference one letter made in the life of a family in Zimbabwe. This is a wonderful book for tweens and early teens to pick up and learn more about Africa and see how a girl their age made such an impact with babysitting money (to start). I heartily recommend this book to adults as well. We can all learn something about love and generosity from this delightful story.

Julia Vanishes, Unknown

by Egan, Catherine
Unknown, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 28, 2017

Comment:

I was disappointed by this book. The title held so much promise. Julia/Ella did not come across to me as a likable character. As the book progressed she painted herself more and more into a corner and will no doubt become even less appealing. The world that is presented in this book seemed to fragmented to me. There was too much history and geography that was in splinters. There was so much darkness and evil and so little hope for me in this book. I will not be watching for the rest of the trilogy.

The Princess in Black Takes A Vacation, Book

by Hale, Shannon
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 27, 2017

Comment:

My favorite so far! The Princess in Black is exhausted and Duff, the Goat Boy recommends a vacation. He wants a chance for the Goat Avenger to do some monster control. BTW, why does the Goat Avenger look so familiar? He is the same height as Duff, but can't possibly be him -- the Goat Avenger has a mask and Duff does not. Hmmm. Unfortunately the next monster to appear is on the beach where Princess Magnolia is. She just can't get away! Again the fight scenes are filled with wonderful word pictures: sleepy slam, sluggish swing, double dozy, doozy fling, serpent slip, forehead crash and the perennial favorite: twinkle twinkle little smash! Looking forward to the next installment!

I Woke up Dead at the Mall, Book

by Sheehan, Judy
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 24, 2017

Comment:

This was an interesting concept. A bit like "Her Lovely Bones", but lighter. Sarah is a likeable character and her inner dialogue adds to the tone of the book. We all fall in love with Nick along with her and the book would not be the same if they were not working through their need "to move on" together.

Th1rteen R3asons Why, Book

by Asher, Jay
Book, 2007
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 22, 2017

Comment:

"Everything affects. . .everything!" This sums up the plot of this book well. As Chase realizes when listening to Hannah's story on the audio tapes, the lives of the students at his high school are connected together in invisible ways. Like a spiderweb they are intricately linked together in ways they do not even realize. Hannah's story is heartbreaking. For her, each person on her tapes played a part in the snowball effect that lead to her suicide. In return, she gives them all the chance to hear her story. This book can be an important tool for conversations with teenagers and a reminder that things that adults might consider minor can seem like the end of the world to a teenager. I am thankful for the adults that are out there making themselves available and open to teens when they need someone to talk to. People like my son and his wife who help run a youth center in Ohio as a part of their missionary work. The community they serve is full of hardworking families who sometimes run out of time when their teenagers need it most. The counselors and youth group workers of this world help bridge that gap and give teens a safe place to talk. Kudos to them!

Don't Get Caught, BookLet the Prank War Begin

by Dinan, Kurt
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 21, 2017

Comment:

Actually, I would give this one 3.5 stars for the 25 Heist Rules I learned from Max Cobb. Since I was a good girl and a rule follower as a teenager I do enjoy seeing how the other half lived. The pranks in this book were quite creative. Most were motivated by revenge, though and as our main character discovers in his quest to take down the Chaos Club -- Revenge and Justice are not the same. That was actually one of my favorite points the book made. I also enjoyed the cow comics in the corner of the pages that moved as you flipped the pages. Always was fascinated by the mechanics of animation.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Audiobook CD

by Flagg, Fannie
Audiobook CD, 2010
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 20, 2017

Comment:

I decided to listen to the audio version of this book after hearing the recommendation from a friend at one of my book groups. Since I had not seen the movie, I had very little idea what this book was really about. It took a bit of adjusting to switch from the Weams Weekly to the Whistlestop Cafe to the Rose Terrace Nursing Home and more. . . Round and round it went with other locations being added. On top of it all, the book was not at all chronological. That did allow the author to give a variety of perspectives -- sometimes past, present and future on many of the events. The folksy feel of Lorna Raver's narration was a treat and I did enjoy the southern charm that oozed from every chapter. There were many very dear relationships that were shown with a diverse cast of characters. I am anxious to see the movie and see some of these dear folks captured on the big screen.

Heartless, Book

by Meyer, Marissa
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 19, 2017

Comment:

This prequel to "Alice in Wonderland" was amazingly done. The story focuses on Catherine (Cath), the future Queen of Hearts. You know how the story has to end, but the impossible keeps happening in between as the plot twists and turns. Love the whimsical supporting characters and the nonsensical aspects of the Kingdom of Hearts. As you read through this book, you see references not just to the original Alice, but also to children's rhymes and even snippets from Poe's Raven. This book is rich with the influence of Carroll, Poe and other things of our childhood. It was an emotional rollercoaster and one of my favorite books of 2017 so far. Looking forward to reading more of Marissa Meyer's inventive storytelling in the future.

Arrowood, Book

by McHugh, Laura
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 18, 2017

Comment:

This is indeed a gothic mystery that felt like "Sharp Objects" by Flynn. After reviewing the details about the "Sharp Objects" I see many similarities. Both Arden and Camille are from dysfunctional families and have physical scars from their past. Both are set in old river towns. Both are about solving past crimes involving young girls. No wonder! I did like "Arrowood" better. Perhaps partly because I am an Iowa girl and loved reading a book set in my home state. Arden is a sympathetic character and you want her to be successful in her quest for truth. The journey she goes on has its own missteps and detours, but she does come to a place in the end where she can move forward and that is a victory. 2nd Reading: I picked this up for a second time to prepare for co-leading a Zoom book group for my library. We have been in the middle of a Winter Reading Challenge that has focused on Missouri authors. Since Laura McHugh is from Missouri (and many of her books are set in our state), this was a fitting title for the challenge. Although this is not my favorite title by McHugh, it is well worth a read. The mystery of the missing girls is compelling and Arden a very sympathetic character. Her trajectory of her life was changed by the disappearance of her little sisters and her return to the house they lived in stirs up more than she had expected. Watch for the ways both water and birds find their way into the narrative. I was also fascinated with a paragraph about nostalgia early in the book. She defines nostalgia as "the bittersweet longing for a time and place left behind. . . once thought to be a mental illness or a physical affliction; to me, it was both. I had loved this house beyond reason, had felt it absence like the ache of a poorly set bone." How will her return to Arrowood change grownup Arden? If you are in the mood for a gothic mystery, this is the book for you.

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party, Book

by Hale, Shannon
Book, 2015
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 18, 2017

Comment:

This second installment in the Princess in Black series was a busy one for Princess Magnolia. Her perfect princess party is interrupted multiple times by her ring alarm and she must discreetly disappear and dispatch the monster threatening the goats and their safety. One of my favorite things about the book (besides Frimplepants turning into Blacky) is the fight puns that are featured when Princess in Black is in combat mode: Frimple Flip, Tiara Trip, Tentacle Tangle, Royal Wrangle, Scepter Spank, Pasture Dash and Twinkle Twinkle Little Smash. So much fun. Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde, here I come!

The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde, Book

by Hale, Shannon
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 18, 2017

Comment:

Another solid installment in the Princess in Black series. In this edition Princess Magnolia is on her way to a delicious brunch with Princess Sneezewort (who was such a good hider in the previous story). Both the princess and Frimplepants have skipped breakfast so they can really enjoy the feast, but the ring alarm interrupts them on their was and they must deal with a field full of cute bunnies that keeps multiplying in front of their eyes while everything green in the field is eaten by the bunnies. Blacky (aka Frimplepants) has an ability that is key to victory. Hurrah for the dynamic duo of Princess in Black and her fearless steed.

Damaged, Large Print

by Scottoline, Lisa
Large Print, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 17, 2017

Comment:

I would be generous enough to give this one a 3.5. Mary DiNunzio has always been my fave of the group since I first ready about her in "Everywhere Mary Went" and have been reading about the girl lawyers ever since. I thought that Mary's opposing counsel was a bit over the top in his machinations against her ten-year-old client. Another thing I noticed was the small number of days that it takes for the events in this book to take place. Mary must have the super power of multiplying hours! The element of suspense does continue to grow throughout and there is a happy ending with resolution of the mysteries in the plot. So, you get to read about Mary, see her solve the problems of the world and have a happy ending, too. That's enough to make me watch for the next Scottoline book to come out.

Enchanted, Unknown

by Jones, Jasmine
Unknown, 2007
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 15, 2017

Comment:

A charming adaptation of the movie and a reminder that having someone to love is a gift. Reminds me of the all-star cast that made the movie. Will have to watch it again to get the full effect of the combination of live-action and animation.

The Princess in Black, Book

by Hale, Shannon
Book, 2014
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 13, 2017

Comment:

I've wanted to check this series out for awhile now and the Librarian Challenge in our library system gave me the perfect excuse to check out these delightful chapter books. Princess Magnolia has a secret and Duchess Wigtower is determined to discover it by hook or by crook. Meanwhile the goats must be kept save from the monsters that keep sneaking up into their field through the hole in the ground between the monsters' lair and the goats' field. Will the goat boy get his chance to work alongside the Princess in Black -- and who is she really? Bring it on -- more Princess in Black, please.

The Wide Window, Unknown

by Snicket, Lemony
Unknown, 2007
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 13, 2017

Comment:

What I like about these books is the unflappable spirit of the Baudelaire orphans. Even Sunny gets to help out in significant ways as they escape from Count Olaf once again. It is also commendable that these books introduce new vocabulary and terms and explain them in terms that even lower reading levels will understand. I do wish Mr. Poe would get a clue, but then there would not be further unfortunate episodes to enjoy.

Two by Two, Book

by Sparks, Nicholas
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 12, 2017

Comment:

I found it frustrating to read about Russ and his struggles with Vivian. Russ seemed to be a bit clueless, especially at the beginning and Vivian was not a credit to our sex. She was extremely inconsistent. Perhaps that was the problem. Anyway, it was refreshing to find that the book also spent quite some time focusing on Russ and his sister Marge and the crisis in her life. This book was much better than "See Me". I felt empathy for Russ and enjoyed getting to know his family better as well as his friend Emily. The family relationship was heartwarming and their experiences led to some tears, but I was not nearly as moved as I had been in the past by books like "a Walk to Remember". I will most likely pick up the next Sparks book when it comes out and see if he continues to trend back toward the highs of the past.

Pax, Book

by Pennypacker, Sara
Book, 2016
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 11, 2017

Comment:

This book is wonderfully done. When Peter and his pet fox Pax are forced to separate due to an imminent war, the story of their journey back to each other is told from the perspective of each of them in alternating chapters. Both of their stories take surprising turns and both learn and grow as their paths lead back to each other. The name Pax is a reminder to us of the cost of war and we see the impact on the children and animals in our worlds through their own eyes in this book when peace is not present. It reminds me of the books of Meindert DeJong as Penny packer also has a gift for taking you inside the head of the animals in the story and giving you a glimpse of the world from their perspective.

The Reptile Room, Unknown

by Snicket, Lemony
Unknown, 2007
darladoodles's rating:
Added Jan 11, 2017

Comment:

Because I have a great fear of snakes, this was even more creepy to me. The thought of Sunny playing with that viper gave me the heebie jeebies. I also was quite fond of Uncle Monty and so sorry that his kindness to the Baudelaire orphans was repaid with treachery by Count Olaf in disguise. The vocabulary explanations, especially the phrase "back at the ranch" do not disappoint. This book is both creepy and humorous at the same time and I am hooked on this series. When oh when will the orphans finally be free from the plots of Count Olaf?!

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