Ivy and Bean and the Ghost That Had to Go by Annie Barrows

Ivy and Bean and the Ghost That Had to Go
Reading level: Ages 7-10
Hardcover: 136 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (November 23, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0811849104
ISBN-13: 978-0811849104 



New friends Ivy and Bean return, and this time there's a ghost with them. It's shy Ivy who sees the mist coming out of the girls' bathroom at school, and loyal Bean soon sees it, too. Despite doubting friends and irritated teachers, the girls are determined to rid the bathroom of this malevolent presence. The series, previously so grounded in reality, takes a supernatural turn here, and readers may not know what to make of the ghost. But as before, the series' strong suits are humor and the spot-on take on relationships.

My Review

I really liked this book. I'm so glad I'm reading this series. The Ghost Thad Had to Go was really funny and I really liked how the author wrote the story. My mom bought me all three books and I really like them. I just started the third so you have to wait for that review. ☻ I really like the characters, they just sound so cute. I also enjoyed how Barrows made them look, like their friends at school Zuzu and Emma. Zuzu had black hair and two buns, one on each side of her head. Emma had blond hair with pigtails and bows on each side. I so wish I could pull off either of those styles... but, I don't think so!

You really need to see there website! >>>>> http://www.anniebarrows.com/ivyandbean/  its really fun. ♥  You really need to by the book's they are really funny! Also, I feel like the books have a great storyline and with only 136 pages, it's makes me feel good that I can finish it quickly. 

Book Cover for Throne of Fire by Rick Riordon, Plus read the first chapter.

Read a sneak peek at the first chapter HERE!

In this exciting second installment of the three-book series, Carter and Sadie, offspring of the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane, embark on a worldwide search for the Book of Ra, but the House of Life and the gods of chaos are determined to stop them. 

 

Reading level: Ages 9-12 

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (May 3, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1423140567

ISBN-13: 978-1423140566

Book Review: The Pony Whisperer: The Word on the Yard by Janet Rising

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; 1 edition (June 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402239521
ISBN-13: 978-1402239526


The Pony Whisperer: The Word on the Yard  by Janet Rising
 
Gr 4-8–After her parents divorce, British equestrian Pia and her pony, Drummer, have to move to a new stable. On her first day, she finds herself at odds with another boarder who wanted to move her horse to the stall that Pia is given. Later, she learns that Catriona has a big crush on James and hoped that having her horse next to his would increase her chances with him. While out riding, Pia finds an ancient statuette and discovers that she can understand everything the horses are saying. As she secretly tries to use this gift to help other riders with their animals, she gains a reputation as a "pony whisperer." This creates numerous complications in her life including offers to appear on TV. This combination of magic and a quick-moving, contemporary plot woven around horse and human conflicts and friendships is a light and enjoyable read for fans of this genre. The horses are particularly amusing as they reveal their complaints and requests to their owners through Pia.


My Review

This is suppose to be a sweet, cute book, but I was just thinking about Pia and how her father ran away with some other woman. That is so sad. Well, the rest of was really fun to read. I have not read any of the books in this series, so this is my first. I have a feeling I would enjoy the other ones as well. I would have to say, my favorite character was... surprise, suprise... Pia. She can totally talk to her horse Drummer. Pia goes through so much in this book and of course, there is a mean bratty girl and a cute boy to add to the storyline. If you are a lover of horses and good books, I suggest starting this series.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (Faith)

The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero

• Reading level:  Ages 9-12
• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1st edition (October 12, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142311339X
• ISBN-13: 978-1423113393
• Buy the book:  Amazon 

Okay, so this book is about a kid named Jason, appearing suddenly on a bus going on a field trip.  When the teacher gets taken by Venti, or storm spirits, Annabeth and a friend come and take Jason and his new friends, Piper and Leo, (Oh, another thing, Jason has amnesia and cannot remember where he came from or who he is) to Camp Half-Blood.  When Jason gets a vision o Juno, or Hera, telling him to free her, the three kids must go on a quest.  They must free Hera and face many, many monsters.  Jason gets lots of surprises along the way, including what his last name is.  If you read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, you will know what that means.  Okay, I will give you a hint, he has a well known sister.

This book was amazing.  It had a few typos but otherwise it was awesome.  I loved the switch with the Roman gods and the Roman camp half-blood.  My favorite character was Leo Valdez because he tamed the dragon Festus when no one else could.  

Audiobook Review: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Title and Author
Artemis Fowl Eoin Colfer



Plot Summary
Artemis Fowl is a criminal mastermind. Even though he is only twelve years old, he is a genius! He was trying to get money by capturing a fairy and making the other fairies pay him a ransom to get her back. The fairy that he captures is name Captain Holly Short. She is a feisty girl who isn't going to lay down and take being captured by a little boy.




Plot High Point
The most exciting part of the book is when Butler, (Artemis Fowl's butler) gets into a fight with a giant troll. I liked how Butler went all


Main Characters
Artemis Fowl- He is a twelve-year-old, genius criminal mastermind. He trying to get his fortune back, and will do anything to make that happen. Captain Holly Short- she is feisty and active and strong, she never gives up hope. She has trouble always obeying orders. Butler-He's a big guy who always protects Artemis so he never gets hurt. The Butler family has always served the Fowl family. Butler has all these weapons and really cool ninja moves! And he's really strong. Juliet- Butler's sister and loyal friend to Artemis. And she has her own cool ninja moves too!


Setting
Present time, Artemis Fowl mansion.


Personal Opinion

• Reagan: I liked that there were fairies in this book. I was in my fairy phase, so this was perfect! My favorite character was Holly Short, because she's totally awesome! She was all magical and constantly disobeyed orders. I loved the whole book and wouldn't change a thing. We listened to this book on audio cd and I really liked the reader! The reader is Nathaniel Parker, and I thought he did a really a good job. 
• Bransen: I liked the book a lot because it has all this cool magic. There were awesome trolls and all these cool creatures. I think Artemis is really cool because he knows all this stuff and he's only twelve. There was this really hilarious part with a dwarf that ate clay and pooped it out. He blasted people with his farts! I liked the reader, too. He sounded really good with all the voices that he did. He had different accents for everyone.
• Mom:  There were parts of this book that I liked and parts I didn't care for. I really liked all the parts that were told from Artemis's viewpoint.  I loved his character!  All the chapters that were told from his point-of-view were really fun and exciting.  I didn't really care for the chapters that were told from the fairies point of view.  There was a lot of "potty humor" which I just think is annoying, but at least my kids got a kick out it.  But the thing that really bugged me, was that the fairy world was pretty much exactly the same as the human world.  I feel like if I'm going to read about fairies, that they should be different, and magical, and fantastical.  These fairies were like military officials, who used satellites and coms and weapons.  There was very little magic used.  So it ended up just being like a military rescue mission.  I did really think the audiobook reader did a great job!  He had a ton of different accents, and I thought they were all really good.  

Reagan and Bransen are listening to the second audiobook in the series, Arctic Incident.

 

Reading Teen WON Best New Blog of 2010! We are so happy.

Over at the amazing Mindful Musings blog, Reading Teen  was nominated for best NEW blog of 2010, and guess what.....THEY WON FIRST PLACE!!!  We're so excited, thankful and happy that all of you guys voted for our moms blog, and that you really do love them!  It's really great to know that they are connecting to everyone, in such an amazing way.


Congratulations to all the other winners!! Make sure you check them out!

Confessions of a Bookaholic
Bewitched Bookworms
Supernatural Snark
Book Faery
Good Choice Reading
I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read
Smash Attack Reads
Reading Vacation
I'd So Rather Be Reading
The Book Worms

Austin, Amy, Abigaile, Andye, and Kit!

Second Hand Saturday: A book a week giveaway!

Go To Reading Teen's  Second Hand Saturday  for a huge book a week giveaway!

Book Review: The Ghost at Camp David by Ron Roy

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 27, 2010) 

Capitalize on kids' interest in President Obama, Washington, D.C., and the White House with the newly re-branded Capital Mysteries series!

Legend says that on each dead president's birthday, his ghost haunts the grounds of the remote retreat Camp David. But KC and Marshall aren't worried, even though they will be there on October 14, President Eisenhower's birthday. That is, they aren't worried until strange things start happening. How did a bat get trapped in their cabin? Why is there blood-red dirt in the trunk by the couch? And what is making the weird thumping noise underground? It's not Eisenhower's ghost . . . is it?

Book Review: GoddessGirls: Athena the Brain by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Aladdin; Original edition (April 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 141698271X
ISBN-13: 978-1416982715

   

Athena The Brain is an adorable light take on Greek mythology. Athena has grown up as an orphan on Earth, living with her friend's family. She's always been different - smarter, better. Now she knows why - she's the daughter of Zeus! She is summoned to attend Mount Olympus Academy with all the other goddess girls, godboys, and a few errant mortals.

My Review

 I really loved the book, it was really good. I loved how the authors wrote the book, it was funny and cute. ♥ I learned you can never have too many true friends.

What I thought about the characters:

I really liked how Joan and Suzanne explained the characters. They explained the beautiful Athena very well. I also liked how they explained and portrayed evil & bratty Medusa, she has snakes as her hair! WOW! And I had fun drawing Medusa. I really could see all the characters in my head while I was reading.

What characters I liked:

My favorite character is Athena. she's really pretty and I love how she's really smart. I felt really sorry for Athena at times... like when she fell and tripped skinning her knee on her second day of school. She's not smart when she goes to her new school. She's not really used to different subjects.

You guys should really read Athena the Brain, its really good!

Thank you Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams for sending me this signed book and signed bookmark!

Game Console Review: Kinect XBOX ~ TOTALLY AMAZING!

So hey, guess what??

WE got a Kinect for Christmas!!!

Oh, my goodness. How exciting... you say.

Well, Yes. I would say the same. Totally insane exciting. Do you know what this thing can do?

<<<Well, Like the game you see here Kinect Adventures ... totally an adventure. You cannot sit down while playing Kinect. It's actually the opposite. Example: If you would like a higher score and want to go faster the only way to do that is if YOU JUMP. And I mean jump. You should have seen my dad play this game. It was so funny :) While your playing the console also takes your pictures, mid-jump or mid-something else. They are always funny to look at after your game.

If you are tired of the kiddos lying around playing video games and you want them to do something different, get some exercise for a change, AND the kids NOT give you a hard time... Well, then this is the perfect game console for you. You have to move around so much while playing the games to get a high score, that you feel like your going to pass out. Whew.

Kinectamals  is also a really fun game. You get to adopt pets and scratch them, teach them tricks and play different games. Games like sunken pirate ships, hidden treasure.

And many others to explore. Like the race car game. YOU don't even need a steering wheel it can copy exactly what your doing. When you turn left, the car mimics it. It's that simple. And, so much fun. Again, no sitting down.

What I am really looking forward to playing is this...

YES, of course.... Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Kinects

ivy + bean by: Annie Barrows + Sophie Blackall

Reading level: Ages 6-10
Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0811864952
ISBN-13: 978-0811864954

 

Meet Ivy and Bean, two friends who never meant to like each other.

The moment they saw each other, Bean and Ivy knew they would never be friends. But when Bean plays a trick on Beans sister, and has to hide, quick! Ivy comes to the rescue with her wand, some face paint, and a bucket of worms. Will they end up in trouble? Maybe. Will they have fun? Of course! :) 

What I thought... 

I really liked the story because at first, Ivy and Bean did not want to be friends... until they meet. Bean thought that Ivy was really weird. But when they meet, they have so much in common. And guess what! I read this book in 4 days! It what really good! 

The characters I liked...

My two favorite characters are, Ivy and Bean. Why do I like Ivy... I really liked Ivy because she wants to be a witch and she dresses up like a witch and its really funny.  Why do I like Bean... 

I really liked Bean, because she is really funny and I liked how she has a big sister named Nancy, and Beans sister is just like mine. my sister from>>> musicandmoshing.com <<< hey check that out! :)  

So I want y'all to read this book and I hope y'all like it! 
its really funny!

Happy Reading! I hope y'all read the book!

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Happy New Year from the Kids at Reading Tween!