Mini Reviews 17

Tired of the minis yet? Only one more...I think :)


Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

Summary:
Kat and Hale have always had a unique relationship, but when Hale takes on a huge family responsibility, it seems he must give up Kat. But she is determined to fight for him, despite the fact that in trying to save him, she might lose him altogether.

My Thoughts:
I just really love to read Ally Carter's books.  They are fun, light, clean and entertaining.  It's always just the right amount of serious stuff mixed with adventure and intrigue and crime family stuff.  Romance doesn't hurt too.  I'll pretty much read anything of hers.
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Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor

Summary:
When Raine's mother takes a summer job at an old house in the country, Raine and her grandfather are both shocked.  Raine must not only get used to the strange ways of the artists who live at Sparrow Road, but she is about to have her life changed in a very unexpected way.

My Thoughts:
This was kind of a sweet and quirky story about coming of age, I guess.  Living at Sparrow Road was strange and wonderful.  I'm not sure how much the youth today would relate to her situation, except of course her not knowing her father.  I imagine there are plenty of kids who know what that is like.  I liked how their relationship grew.  Overall, just sweet and with interesting characters.
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Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Summary:
Isla has had a secret crush on Josh for years, but it's only in the summer before their senior year that she finally has a chance to talk to him.  And that's only the beginning.  Things begin to heat up when they return to their school in Paris, until they hit some road bumps.  Can their budding romance last?

My Thoughts:
There was loads of swooning on the internets when Perkins published this book (and any other book she will publish).  I found the romance sweet and exciting, but I just didn't fall in love with the book.  I really liked Kurt and the idea of their friendship - almost wanted that to be more of the focus of the book.  Still, it was well-written and fun.  I don't relate at all really with any of the characters from Perkins' books (definitely never made those kinds of choices when I was a teen), but they are fun to read anyway.
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Atlantia by Ally Condie

Summary:
Rio and Bay live Below - in a city under the water.  Rio has always dreamed of going above, but when her sister makes an unexpected choice, she finds herself stranded below.  Feeling hurt and alone, missing both Bay and her mother, Rio begins to seek answers to questions she didn't even know she had.  She also begins to understand just what the power of her voice might mean for her future.

My Thoughts:
I really love Ally Condie's way of writing.  I found the world she created here really interesting and I loved getting to know Rio and seeing where she grew up.  The idea of sirens was cool too and how their powers, etc, played a big part of the story.  It is kind of a quiet book, but I just thought it was so interesting - the place, the people, and motivations.  I was less interested in the last part of the book, though lots of action kept me reading.  I'm definitely invested if there are more books to come.
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In the Shadows by Kiersten White and Jim Di Bartolo

Summary from goodreads:

Cora and Minnie are sisters living in a small, stifling town where strange and mysterious things occur. Their mother runs the local boarding house. Their father is gone. The woman up the hill may or may not be a witch.
Thomas and Charles are brothers who’ve been exiled to the boarding house so Thomas can tame his ways and Charles can fight an illness that is killing him with increasing speed. Their family history is one of sorrow and guilt. They think they can escape from it . . . but they can’t.

My Thoughts:

I totally enjoyed this unique book format - the story is told in alternating prose and pictures. I loved having words interspersed with the creepy details in the drawings. The story took me a while to figure out (the drawings especially) but when I finally felt things making sense it was awesome. Love these characters and the strangeness of the creepy story. Definitely need to reread sometime.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: September 2011
ISBN: 9780545027892
Source: Library

Ben has been struggling to feel comfortable in his life, ever since his mother died.  Living with his aunt and uncle is strange and he feels alienated.  When a strange turn of events leaves him unable to hear, he sets off on a journey to find someone, though he isn't quite sure who.  His story intersects with Rose, who lived fifty years earlier with her father.  But she is not satisfied to have the quiet existence her father seeks for her and she sets out looking for something too.  Will they each find what they need?

Things I Liked:
The experience!  I loved reading and then watching the stories unfold.  The illustrations that tell Rose's story were almost more vivid than the words describing Ben's story.  It was a pleasure to read and watch the two different characters' stories collide and intertwine in unexpected ways.  The whole reading experience was great fun and completely different from anything I've read before (with the possible exception of The Invention of Hugo Cabret).  So much fun and such a great story, an especially good pick for reluctant readers, since those illustrations can really draw you into the story and keep you reading.

Things I Didn't Like:
I thought the story stumbled in a few places and if it had been all text, I might have lost interest.  But with the unique way it's told and the beautiful illustrations, I had to keep going.  (And I'm probably the only non-raving reviewer of this one - it seems everyone else adored it!)  A delightful new book!

Read-alikes:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is the only thing I can think of quite like it

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none 
that I recall

mrg-factor: none 
just some wondering about parentage

v-factor: -> 
maybe a little frightening in places, but nothing violent

Overall rating: **** 

Do you ever wonder about all those books that fall below your adoring level, but are still good?  Do you forget about them or remember to recommend them?

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Mini Reviews 2

It's time for another episode of...mini reviews (which, I've been calling "minis" in my head).  Here are several short reviews with even shorter summaries.  Enjoy!
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Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce
Source: ARC sent by publisher

Nate's chance to be Fleeceball captain is tainted only by having A-plus Gina on his team - and as his history partner.

My thoughts: This series is a fun glimpse at sixth grade life according to one underacheiver boy.  I liked the rivalry between Gina and Nate and how that played out.  I thought it was really a fun story and both Elementary School and MG kids will love the format - cartoons mixed with text and illustrations.  Nate's approach to research was also a fun part, adding a little substance to the silliness of the book.  A perfect series for reluctant readers and Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans.  This one can stand alone quite well (I haven't read the first), but I'm sure kids will want to read them all - boys and girls alike.
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Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong
Source: Won ARC from Ally Condie

A collection of short paranormal stories, all dealing with a journey of some kind, featuring fairies, vampires, ghosts, psychics and everything in between.

My thoughts: It's hard to review a book with such a diverse collection of stories!  There were some I loved and a few I thought were forgettable.  I'm sure there will be something here for everyone.  A few favorites: Carrie Ryan's "Scenic Route" (vivid), "Niederwald" by Rachel Vincent (makes me want to read her series), "Let's Get This Undead Show on the Road" by Sarah Rees Brennan (almost solely for the title), "Leaving" by Ally Condie (oh, I hope she writes a series in this world) "At the Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show" by Jessica Verday (so wild) and "Gargouille" by Mary E. Pearson (what an interesting idea).  There were quite a few short stories from series I hadn't finished or read, so those might be factors in why I didn't like them.  Definitely worth the read!
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The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood and the Duchess of Northumberland
Source: Review copy sent by publisher

Jessamine, the daughter of a well-known apothecary, is forbidden from entering the poison garden, but when a stranger comes to stay, she might just end up there anyway.

My thoughts: I liked learning a bit more about poisonous flowers and plants, not to mention the healing powers of them.  The story kept me reading, to see where she was going with it (I really had no idea, since I hadn't heard much about the book and couldn't quite decide where she'd take it).  But I was a bit bored by the characters.  Jessamine was not interesting to me, simply a naive girl who did what her father told her to and fell in love with the first person to come along.  I knew what was happening before the big reveal at the end, though there were still a few surprises.  What bothered me the most was how disjointed and strange the story became near the end.  The apothecary garden and its inhabitants played such a weird part, I honestly had no idea why they were in the book.  The ending felt abrupt, though there are sequels, but I was pretty disappointed, so I doubt I'll read them.  I think someone really into gardens and plants might like this, but the ending might be too much to swallow.
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The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
Source: Audiobook from the library

Jenna wakes up from a coma to find everything is different, including herself.

My thoughts: Since I've reviewed this once before, I thought I'd just do a quick recap after my recent listen. I was annoyed occasionally with the young-sounding narrator for Jenna.  She sounded a bit too young for 17 (like 14 maybe).  But, most of the time, she did a really good job. I love the sticky medical ethics issues; I loven how nothing is black and white (in the interview Pearson gave at the end, she said she loves to write about gray areas) and you can't decide what you should think, let alone what Jenna should.  It has such a great teen feel woven into the futuristic science fiction feel.  It's definitely one of my favorite "dystopian" books ever.  I need to read this one for a book club so I can discuss it in depth!
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The Flint Heart by katherine and john paterson
Source: Audiobook from the library

A mysterious rock from the past affects people and creatures alike - making them angry and violent.  It's up to Unity and Charles to find out how to free them all from its evil influence.

My thoughts: Short, sweet, and filled with interesting creatures, this fairy tale would make an awesome read-aloud for younger kids.  I really need to get my hands on a hard copy to see the illustrations, since I'm sure they add so much to the story.  Admittedly, I found some of the story boring, but that might be just my adult sensibilities getting in the way.  
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Read any of these?  
 

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Mini Reviews #1

This is the first time I've done a collection of short reviews (I've seen lots of folks do these and call them all kinds of cute things, so just be aware that I am not the originator of the idea, but I'm not sure who exactly inspired it).  It really is a hodge podge of books that I've just not got a lot to say about.  I've also taken Kristen's suggestion to write a five-word description instead of a summary.  But I bent it to a sentence, cause I'm not that amazing.  Hard, but rather freeing.  


Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
Source: Library

Two best friends embark on adventures armed with imagination and roller skates.

My thoughts: Cute, love the illustrations, and it totally reminded me of myself and my best friend in grade school - she was more than a foot taller than me too.  Lots of fun for those just learning to read chapter books.
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The Tale of Despereaux by kate DiCamillo
Source: Audio from library

Unusually courageous mouse rescues soup-deprived princess.

My thoughts: This story never fails to entertain me.  My husband and I listened to it on a road trip and he loved it too (surprisingly).  It has quirky characters, a fun and unusual story, and lots of heart and soul.  Worth the read or the listen, especially for kids.
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City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Source: Library

The aftermath of war can be just as treacherous with rocky relationships and unexpected enemies.

My thoughts: I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed the Mortal Instruments book, despite all of its flaws, but this just seemed superfluous.  I got tired of the stretching out of Jace and Clary's up and down relationship and the plot was just unbelievably all over the place.  The series was better without it.
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The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Source: Audio from library

Seventh son of a seventh son seeks the signs that will aid in an ancient battle of good and evil.

My thoughts: This is an all-time fantasy favorite.  The story never fails to entertain me and listening to it on audio was just as good (again, my husband was really interested in it and he is hard to please).  I just love how complex the story is and how amazingly the fantasy details are woven with real life.  A classic tale.
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Cahoots by Karla Oceanak
Source: Review copy from publisher

Aldo attempts to survive his summer on a farm without electronic devices.

My thoughts: It's a fun romp filled with humor and kid-friendly drawings.  It will appeal to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries, though Aldo is no Greg Huffley.  Still, his summer adventures will delight and hopefully educate tweens who can't seem to get enough drawing-filled diary books.

Any thoughts on these?

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Book Review: The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication date: April 2010
ISBN: 9780439269704
Source: Library

 

Neftali is definitely a dreamer.  He is always being distracted by the beautiful things he sees around him - a leaf, a beetle, a pinecone.  He loves to think about them and wonder at their beauty and even to write what they inspire in him.  But his father is not satisfied with this.  He wants his son to grow up and be successful.  It is not possible to do that with your head in the clouds.  Will Neftali be able to please his father and himself or will he have to sacrifice one of them?

Things I Liked:
This book was so whimsical and, well, dreamy!  I loved the magical feeling that Ryan infuses throughout the story.  Neftali's daydreams and beautiful collections bring interest and fun to an otherwise very painful story.  This story was so sad, but also hopeful.  It was heart-breaking to watch the interactions with his father and how Neftali seems never to please him, despite his sincere desire to be loved.  The writing very much reflects the whimsical and magical feeling, being both poetic and simple.  An interesting look at just what Pablo Neruda's childhood might have been like.  Some favorite parts:

His mind wandered: To the monster storm raging outside, which startled the roof.  To the distant rumble of the dragon volcano, Mount Llaima, which made the floors hiccup.  To the makeshift walls of his timid house, trembling and cowering from the roar of passing trains.  To the haphazard design of the room with incomplete stairs, which might have led to a castle on another floor, but had long been deserted in the middle of construction. p 15 

How could he be absentminded when his head was so crowded with thoughts? p 73

Neftali felt the river breathing beneath him, as if keeping time to the slow and sorrowful tune.  His heart filled with the beauty and the peacefulness of it all.  He felt as if he were on the brink of something magnificent.  p 148

The rhythm of his rain-soaked childhood became a sequence of words.  His memories of the understory of the great forest burst into lyrical phrases, as resinous as the sap of a pinecone, as crisp as the shell of a beetle.  Sentences grew long, then pulled up short, taking on the tempo of the waves upon the shore, or swayed gently, like the plaintive song of a lone harmonica. p 344

Things I Didn't Like:
I really think this is not going to have wide kid appeal.  I had a hard time finishing it because it was just so strange at times.  I definitely think it would have helped if I'd read some of Neruda's poetry or was more interested in him.  The story is interrupted by fanciful imaginings and philosophical questions so often that I wonder if kids will lose interest. It will definitely take a special kind of child for this one.  

Read-alikes:
Nothing comes to mind, except maybe The Magician's Elephant by Kate Dicamillo

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
more cruelty than true violence

Overall rating: ***

Anybody a big advocate for this title? I'd love to hear others' thoughts.

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Dragonbreath and Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs by Ursula Vernon

Double Feature is an occasional feature where I discuss/review two books, often comparing and contrasting characters or elements that were similar or different.  I try my best to not include spoilers, or to give a spoiler warning before them, but because these reviews are more in-depth than regular reviews, it is possible there might be some plot points given away.  Read at your own risk.

Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon
Publisher: Dial
Publication date: June 2009
ISBN: 9780803733633
Source: Library 

Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs by Ursula Vernon
Publisher: Dial
Publication date: February 2010
ISBN: 9780803733657
Source: Library

 

Summary book 1:
Danny Dragonbreath definitely is not your typical student at the amphibian/reptile school he attends.  Being the only mythical creature there, it is especially hard to not be able to breathe fire and prove he is a dragon.  But, when he doesn't do so well on his report of the ocean, he can call on his cousin the sea serpent to help him out.  Actually seeing and touching underwater creatures, especially the giant squid, is much more thrilling than simply reading about them.

Summary book 2:
In Danny and Wendell's next adventure, the foreign exchange student Suki is being stalked by ninja frogs.  The boys must visit Japan in order to find out just why those ninja frogs are after her.  Can Danny find his fire breathing abilities in time to save them from the deadly frogs?

Things I Liked about both:
The books are short and so, so funny. They have this quirky cast of reptiles, amphibians and, of course, Danny the dragon.  He and his best pal Wendell the iguana sound very much like typical tween boys, avoiding homework and bullies left and right, having first time crushes on cute girls.  It is full of tween humor and absolute silliness, plus the mix of comic strips, illustrations, and text make these books an easy choice for reluctant readers. Here are some of my favorite funny parts from both:

Danny hated standing still for anything.  It was just dragonish nature.  Dragons slept on their hoards, they fought knights, they occasionally flew around terrorizing peasants, but they didn't usually stand still.  (It's worth noting that Danny's parents had never terrorized a peasant in their lives, and Danny's mother always volunteered to bring goodies to the school bake sale, but really, it was the principle of the thing.) p 16-17, book 1

A ferocious predator, what the common potato salad lacks in bone structure, it more than makes up for in viciousness.  A school of potato salad can skeletonize a cow in under two weeks, assuming that the cow doesn't get bored and move. p 30, book 1

He was feeling rather disillusioned by the whole adventure.  Ninjas were apparently jerks, and Suki didn't want to be a ninja queen.  Plus, there was no super-secret kung fu technique for breathing fire, and the grand quest to find the enemies of the Spurtongue Clan involved a fifteen-minute walk and a mailbox.  If they made a king fu movie out of this adventure, it would probably be called Savage Fist of Boredom. p 106-107, book 2

Things I Didn't Like about both: 
They are very light on plot.  There isn't much purpose to the books, except to tell a funny story with maybe a little learning about the ocean or about Japanese culture on the side.  Simple, quick, and entertaining, but not much else.
 
Read-alikes:
Adventures of Ook and Gluk and other Dav Pilkey books

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS for both:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Adventures of Ook and Gluk by Dav Pilkey

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey
Publisher: Blue Sky Press (Scholastic)
Publication date: August 2010
ISBN: 9780545175302
Source: Review copy provided by publisher

Things I Liked:
This book is pure silliness.  The kung-fu cavemen are solely designed to bring out the laughs.  The illustrations match perfectly the style of the writing and story.  I loved the almost childlike drawings that tended to go along with the "caveman" talk.  I got the most entertainment out of the flip-o-rama action pages though.  It was loads of ridiculousness that will entertain all, reluctant readers especially.  I passed it right off to my 10-year old nephew who devoured it in a very short period of time.  Definitely a winner.  Here's a peak inside:

Things I Didn't Like:
While I tried to ignore the adult reader in me, I did find the spelling and grammar mistakes to be super annoying.  Yes, these are my own sensibilities projected onto the book.  Still, I must mention that I was bothered.  I don't think it will bother many kids, though.  It's sheer entertainment and silly humor and that's the way it should be.

Read-alikes:
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
It will probably also appeal to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid crowd

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
potty humor doesn't count, right?

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
nothing but a bit of kung fu action 

Overall rating: ****

Don't forget to enter the Huge Scholastic Prize Pack giveaway to win a copy of Ook and Gluk, along with several other awesome books!

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Book Review: Bogus by Karla Oceanak and Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #5 by Jeff Brown

This is not exactly one of my double features, since I'm not comparing the books.  But I've got two shorter books and not much to say about them.  So, two for the price of one!

Bogus by Karla Oceanak
Publisher: Bailiwick Press
Publication date: October 2010
ISBN: 9781934649060
Source: review copy sent by publisher

Bogus continues the writing and drawing adventures of Aldo Zelnick, artist extraordinaire.  When his grandmother Goosy gave him another art book to fill, he decided to include lots of new b-words as well.  This book chronicles the adventures Aldo and his friends have when they discover a totally bogus diamond ring.  Or is it?

These are fun, simple, and easy to read graphic novels.  They are a great choice for reluctant readers who prefer a comic-book style read with plenty of pictures and not too many words.  They also manages to include some hopefully new vocabulary that will help kids learn a bit too.  Even the definitions of the words at the back are humorous enough that kids will probably want to read them.  The series doesn't quite have the kid-oriented feel the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books do - it feels too much like an adult writing stuff they think kids will enjoy.  I think kids will enjoy much of it, but it doesn't have quite the same appeal as those books.

Read-alikes:
Read Artsy-Fartsy first
Diary of a Wimpy Kid books by Jeff Kinney

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Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #5: The Amazing Mexican Secret by Jeff Brown
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: September 2010
ISBN: 9780061429989
Source: Review copy sent by publisher

Flat Stanley is in an all-new adventure - this time traveling to Mexico to get a secret recipe.  He must defeat angry bulls and angry chefs in order to find the very old woman who keeps that secret.  But, no worries, he is Flat Stanley after all!
 
These are fun and short books that early readers will enjoy.  They have a nice mix of silliness, culture, and action to keep boys and girls interested enough to finish it.  Plus, there is a whole series of adventures Flat Stanley to entertain kids with.  While they seem like they will be formulaic (I actually haven't read any of the others), kids will enjoy following the adventures of a familiar friend.
 
Read-alikes:
Lots of other Flat Stanley books
Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne

Do your students or kids like these books?

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: October 2010
ISBN: 978-1416971757
Source: e-book available from publisher

 

During an alternate history of World War I, this book picks up after Leviathan ends.  Prince Alek is being held prisoner aboard the Leviathan.  He and his men plan an escape when the ship reaches Istanbul, with the help of Deryn, who is still hiding her identity.  Both Alek and Deryn find themselves on dangerous missions among enemies.  Can the two find one another again and help to stop the war?

Things I Liked:
I'm really starting to love steampunk.  The fun way it clothes history and especially the note at the end of the book that explained what happened and what didn't, make it one of the best ways I know to learn history while being entertained.  Westerfeld has a gift for creating characters and an alternate world that seems plausible.  His creative vocabulary for the Darwinists and the Clankers and their slang always makes me adopt new words and phrases, most notably "barking spiders" and "bum-rags."  I was so glad also that the e-book ARC had the illustrations included.  These are gorgeous and completely capture the feel of the book.  Almost my favorite part of the whole series.  The story is quick and full of adventures and will surely appeal to both boys and girls alike looking for something that's a mix of fantasy, historical fiction, and action/adventure. 

This was nothing like Buckingham Palace, where Deryn had watched the changing of the Royal Lionesque Guard her first day in London.  That was four stories tall and as square as a cake.  But here the buildings were low and surrounded by colonnades, their arches decorated with checkerboards of black and white marble, as shiny as piano keys.  Steam pipes wound across the mosaicked walls lik message lizard tubes, sweating and huffing with the energies inside them. p 181 of ARC

As she drew, the whire and clatter of the machines around her, the sounds blending like the crash of distant waves.  Deryn wondered how the Clankers had managed it, translating questions into scatterings of holes in paper.  Did every wee sliver of knowledge have its own number?  The system was probably quicker than wandering through the ceiling-high shelves, but what other books might she have found, doing it herself? p 322 of ARC

Things I Didn't Like:
I kind of wish more had been resolved at the end, but I suppose that's what the next book is for!

Read-alikes:
Airborn and sequels by Kenneth Oppel
Larklight by Philip Reeve
Dreadnought by Cherie Priest
Definitely read Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld first

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
just some barking spiders

mrg-factor: none
one rather interesting kiss...

v-factor: ->->
there are definitely battles, though not a lot of gore

Overall rating: *****

I'm so excited for Scott Westerfeld to visit our local library this month!  Any of you fortunate enough to meet him before?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: Artsy-Fartsy by Karla Oceanak, illustrated by Kendra Spanjer

*review copy provided by publisher*

Artsy-Fartsy stuff is what Aldo's grandmother tells him to use his new sketch book for.  Aldo isn't sure if he wants to draw in the book, though, after being made fun of at school for his art.  But, he gives it a try, keeping track of what happens over the summer, including a mysterious contributor to his book.  Mr. Mot, Aldo's neighbor, encourages him to also write some interesting a-words in the book as well.  Maybe he'll be able to try a little artsy-fartsy stuff.

Things I Liked:
It was a fun book, like getting a glimpse at a ten-year-old's view of life.  The humor was fun, the illustrations added to the humor, and the addition of interesting a-words makes it even educational.  I think tweens and younger kids will get a kick out of this, and probably incidentally learn new words too.  Even the definitions at the end were fun to read (instead of being dry and boring).  I particularly liked this part:

"Right away Jack made such a bug-eyed, squinched-up face that I started to snort-laugh.  THat made the potion come shooting out my nose, which was kind of a good thing because I couldn't taste it as much.  But it was a bad think, too, because now I had brown booger-potion dribbled down the front of my shirt." p 62

Things I Didn't Like:
It isn't quite as fun as the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, having a touch of the "written by an adult" feeling that those books tend to not have - particularly the end.  Also, I think that it might have made me look at definitions if they were on the same page as the word.  I didn't once flip to the back to check a definition.  I read them all at the end.   But, I think it will appeal to kids who really liked the Diary books, who like to draw, or reluctant readers.

Read-alikes:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:  
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: none

Overall rating: ****

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage