Fablehaven

Do you believe in fairies? Would you be brave enough to care for hundreds of mythical creatures--most of them dangerous-- on a large and fantastical preserve? Brandon Mull will satisfy the most hungry of readers as he guides us through his story: What it would be like to visit your Grandparent's estate, and suddenly realize the beautiful land they live on is a magical preserve that holds millions of mystical animals-- and secrets.

Kendra and Seth's parents are going on a cruise. And the kids aren't invited. So what happens to them? They are sent to their Grandparents' house. But their Grandparents' estate isn't anything normal. Its sheer beauty and huge size is anything but ordinary. Kendra and Seth aren't expecting anything strange to happen, though. So they are very surprised when they turn out to be wrong. Soon, Kendra and her brother are swept up in the captivating secrets of the land their Grandparents live on, called a preserve. And then things start to go wrong. Can Kendra save her family-- and the preserve?

I absolutely loved this book, and anyone who enjoys fantasy will, too. I would rate it a 10 out of 10 for the terrific plot and superb imagery the book held. I could clearly imagine everything that Mull described, and I'm looking forward to reading the third book of Fablehaven. Anyone who enjoys this book will most likely like the sequel, Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening star. And to those of you who don't believe in fairies: After reading this book, you will. 

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

This was a very interesting book. If I were to rate it on a scale from 1-10 I would have to say it was... a 5.5. I would say this book is for a younger audience than seventh graders. It's characters are younger than twelve or thirteen, so it is difficult to connect with them. Although it is written for younger children the main story line was excellent! I enjoyed the mysterious quality the most in this book.

You join Claudia and her little brother Jamie on an exciting adventure. Claudia has decided that she wants to teach her parents a lesson. She wants them to realize how valuable she is, so she decides to run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York city. She knows that she can't make this trip alone(mainly because she has no money). Jamie on the other hand has tons of money, so Claudia chooses to invite,or rather demand, her brother to come with. At first Jamie doesn't want to go, but when he realizes its his chance for adventure he jumps right in. The pair is only planning on staying a few days in the museum, but when a beautiful statue arrives with a mystery attached they know they can't leave without solving it. The statue is called Angel and she may have been carved by Michelangelo himself! No one is sure of this fact though. The only person who is positive is the person who sold the statue to the museum, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The kids decide the only way to solve the mystery is by visiting Mrs. Frankweiler. What happens next you wonder. Well, you will have to read the book and find out!

The only thing I would change about this book is the narrator. Mrs. Frankweiler is telling the story and I found it some what confusing. Other than that and the age factor, it was a wonderful story!

Blue Heron

BLUE HERON, by Avi, was a heart-warming book filled with magic, love, and family. I enjoyed the experience of reading it, and would rate it a 7.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. It portrayed real life problems, which I liked, and was very down-to-earth.

 

Maggie has always believed in magic. Especially now, on her vacation with her father, step-mother, and baby step-sister. Staying in a cozy, small town called Sawdy pond, where wildlife thrives enthrallingly, Maggie has no reason to doubt that magic exists.

 

When Maggie spots a magical bird out on the swamp of Sawdy Pond, she immediately feels attached to it, and she resolves to study it and learn as much about it as she can. Later, she finds out it is called a Blue Heron. And thus starts the long days of watching and waiting for the Heron to find her. Maggie is convinced that there is a way to make the bird trust her, and she is determined to do whatever she can to accomplish this feat. But this is harder than it seems. Maggie must find a way to help the bird, and the bird must learn to have faith in Maggie.

 

But Maggie's trip to Sawdy Pond turns out to be more than just relaxing, enchanting experiences of watching the Blue Heron. It just so happens that Maggie must find a way to help her father, too, who is sick with heart problems. Maggie must overcome the problems that Sawdy Pond face her with, while still finding a way to trust others, and, most importantly, have trust in magical miracles. 

If I could change one thing about this book, I would like to change the ending. As a reader, I would have liked to learn a little bit more about what happens to Maggie. Overall, this was a good read.